Rubberized dashtrim and fiberglass/bondo

MatrixPC · 05-26-2004, 09:38 AM

Hi all,
It's time for me to put the LCD into the dash where the double din radio is. The dash material is rubber like cover ABS plastic as in this picture.

More pictures on my signature line.
I know fiberglass will stick to anything, but what about bondo? Will it stick to the rubber material? And what kind of paint will it stick to both surface?
This is what I am going to do. The radio opening is a double din. On top of the radio is a ashtray/traskpin and cig lighter. I have to cut the ashtray and cig lighter out to make another "DIN" size openning so I can either put the Lilliput or PSOne LCD in there and move the radio to the lower din of the double din.
Right now I am just stuck on what material to use and paint to match the original trim? With just plastic, this is much easier.

DavidL · 05-26-2004, 09:45 AM

Bondo will attach to most non oily surfaces, especially if they have been "roughed up" first with some sandpaper. But, if the rubbery surface can flex, the bondo will crack and break off. Bondo has a limited flexibility (very). Can't really tell from your pic on what the rubberized surface you speak of is.

There is vinyl trim paint that will paint fabric and won't crack off (like your shifter boot). Again, without understanding what surface you mean, hard to recommend a product.

MatrixPC · 05-26-2004, 10:01 AM

The material is kind of oily unless I have to sand it down. The rubber is is almost like well the tire. underneath the rubber is ABS plastic as I can see it from under. To cut it I have to use a sharp knife/razor. This piece is some what flexible when remove/intall.
I think this is the type of material Toyota used in the 80s cars for the radio bezzel (82-92 Supras/Cressidas, 87-92 Camry/Corollas that I know).

gnat · 05-26-2004, 11:24 AM

Its padded right? I would use plexi before bondo. It sounds like the bondo might seperate or come off of it especially if that material is prone to changes with increased heat.

Can you get some abs plastic and create a face plate/frame to hold the screen, then mold in around it?

MatrixPC · 06-01-2004, 11:25 PM

Okay this is the radio bezel for a MK3 Supra
The "hole" is where the ciggarret lighter/aux power outlet. On its right is an ashtray. The top openning is for HVAC control. Double DIN radio openning on the bottom. I am going to put a PSOne LCD in there between the ashtray and the top DIN. Save the bottom for the radio.

a closer look at the material

This is the back side of the bezel

This is tuff to re-paint this bezel because of the rubber material.

saxgod · 06-02-2004, 05:21 PM

I would make a mold from this one, so i can make an exact copy of the original with the mold.

(You can't use the mold itself as a copy since its slightly larger)

Then cut up the copy, and work on that one, and mount that instead of the original.

Snootch · 06-02-2004, 05:29 PM

Just because I know the question is gonna come up, This is how you make a copy from a mold:
http://www.fbodyaudio.com/articlevie...cle=molds.tech

MatrixPC · 06-14-2004, 12:59 PM

Making a mold is such a big job for me and I don't really need that fancy of a setup. So I decided to use bondo glass and bondo lightweight body filler to do the job. Check my signature for the fabrication process.