Dash Board Refresher
 

I have had my turbo for over a year now and I figured it was time to update my dash a bit. Here is what it looked like before I did anything.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...dashbefore.jpg
As you can see, it's not too bad. It came with a simulated carbon fiber finish that just doesn't look very good. I started by removing the parts that I want to paint.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore1.jpg
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore2.jpg
Once the parts were removed from The Beast, I laid it out to get a better idea of what I'm getting myself into.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore3.jpg
All of the parts that aren't going to be painted are removed from the main section.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore4.jpg
One of the vents are connected via torx bit. Make sure you have one of these before you start this project.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore6.jpg
Here are the vents removed from the main part of the dash.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore8.jpg
Now you remove the simulated carbon fiber panels that are attached via a weird melted plastic connection. To remove them, I drilled through the melted plastic until the panels came off. This works for how I wanted to do it, because I plan on having exposed hardware.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...ashbefore9.jpg
Using aluminum rivets and super glue, I permanently attached the plexi gauge surround to the backing.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore10.jpg
The "carbon fiber" is just a sticker that GM put over their gray plastic dash to spiffy it up some. There was a reaction between the sticker and the Bondo so I had to sand the whole piece until every last inch of the sticker was gone. Once that was complete, I built up around the bezel until I was happy with how it looked.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore11.jpg

After the first coat of paint I was starting to really like the way it was looking.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore12.jpg
Once all of the paint is dry, I reassembled the dash.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore14.jpg
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore15.jpg
After all of the components are installed, you just put the dash back on.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore16.jpg
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore17.jpg
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...shbefore18.jpg
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...boostgauge.jpg
I really like the smooth look and the exposed hardware.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/x...oostgauge1.jpg

That concludes my write up! I hope you enjoy!

Dash Looks Awesome Thanks for the write up ....

that looks real nice! good job!

Looks good. Wish I had the need for a boost gauge like that! ;)

came out nice keep up the good work

Thanks guys! I am going to replace the bolts with the type that just look like a round bead eventually. I just needed the car put back together before work today.

Very nice work man! Great job. It'll look even better when you get the other bolts put in. Thanks for the write-up.

neat!!

Very nice, you do awesome work.