The vents are from a F150 but used on other Ford products also. They are a little bigger, had to enlarge the holes. I got them because you can open/close them with your finger. And they work with the look of the gauges.
Long Overdue Progress! Doors Finished 3/17/26
- Thread starter BBShark
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SRountree
Well-known member
I was wondering when we were going to see more progress. Looking great!
So this is what it's like to polish a turd! A month of cutting, fitting, bonding, filling, sanding, sanding, sanding and more sanding.
Next step is to test fit and paint. I'm going to try a matte dark charcoal metallic finish.
Where it started"
Next step is to test fit and paint. I'm going to try a matte dark charcoal metallic finish.
Where it started"
SRountree
Well-known member
Very nice!
phantomjock
Well-known member
I'm trying to replicate the look of a 1st gen Camaro dash which is coved out (like the Corvette) but is stamped steel.
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OK test fit with the gauges in place. Looks like this is going to work. No real interference issues.
Next is paint. SEM has some matte metallics. I'll have to check them out. Also need to make a support for the center console/gauge area. Also need to come up with something to hide the screw holes at the top of the dash panels.
Next is paint. SEM has some matte metallics. I'll have to check them out. Also need to make a support for the center console/gauge area. Also need to come up with something to hide the screw holes at the top of the dash panels.
bobs77vet
Well-known member
do you have an air bag set up? is that hard to do?
A reliable/retrofit airbag system would be really complex and expensive. I'm sure it's been done but outside of the scope of my project goals and skill.
I am planning on making a piece that takes the place of the airbag that looks a little more "period correct".
I am planning on making a piece that takes the place of the airbag that looks a little more "period correct".
bobs77vet
Well-known member
that will be really cool, it would be interesting to think what you could put there since you probably have wires all ready in the steering column to support the airr bag set up. maybe a red light to mark RPM limit or a green light for shift points, I wonder what the formula one cars have lighting up on their dash board
So my duct work is from an 81. It won't fit with the 68 dash panels. So I had to make a new center duct airbox out of ABS sheet.
Now I can work on the console and actually get some gauges in there.
Now I can work on the console and actually get some gauges in there.
I tried to fit the driver side dash panel in but there is no room for the duct hose. They take up the space needed for the tach/speedo gauges. Now I'm thinking of ducting them into the footwell. I don't save much seat time with C3's but I heard frequent complaints of what people describe as a "hotfoot" from close proximity to exhaust. Mine might be even worse because the header collector is right there I have a 68 so a fiberglass footwell.
Then I will use the dash vents for outside air.
Then I will use the dash vents for outside air.
SuperBuickGuy
Well-known member
there are a lot of products out there that eliminate hot foot. I used Ceramic spray coating in my C3 and my FJ40 - I don't get warm through convection. matter of fact, my fj40 struggles to keep the interior warm because there is no convection.
bobs77vet
Well-known member
i thought the best thing ever in the 60s was the air vents under the steering wheels keeping the family jewels cool
I hadn't thought of that. Bonus!
I want to make chrome hoods for the gauges. Going to try chrome coat on ABS sheet. Here is a paper template used to cut out the ABS sheet.
I've used this on work projects and it looks good. We will see here soon.
I've used this on work projects and it looks good. We will see here soon.
bobs77vet
Well-known member
is the chrome coat a spary on product? it may be interesting to see if you can clear coat it, i tried some spray on chrome and it worked well for areas that were not brushed up like inside a head light bucket, when i used it on an area that could be brushed up against it marred easily, i wonder if clear coat would stop that
It's not really paint. I've not seen it done but it involves spraying the part with distilled water and spraying the chrome coat on top of that (or maybe the reverse).
I don't know why but clear coat seems to dull it and yellow it. I grabbed this off the internet:
I don't know why but clear coat seems to dull it and yellow it. I grabbed this off the internet:
bobs77vet
Well-known member
that looks good, i am interested to see where it takes
Got the chrome Bezels back. They look really good. Here is one loosely fit into the hole.
SuperBuickGuy
Well-known member
those look awesome
Still working on some behind the dash issues before I close it up. One of the things I have always hated about 60's cars is the hot/cold cable control. The cable is almost always bound up so it's either stuck on hot or cold or somewhere in between. And the cable is so stiff you can't really route it so that it won't bind up.
I found this tiny 2" stroke actuator that fits in there perfectly.
I found this tiny 2" stroke actuator that fits in there perfectly.
bobs77vet
Well-known member
that chrome trim looks great!
is that from the painting process?
is that from the painting process?
Yes that's the painting process. I have not glued them in yet, still need to mat clearcoat the dash parts.
Had some problems with the dash paint, but it's finally done. Got the chrome bezels in. Next step is installation. Need to get that done because all the other gauges are piggybacked of the tach/speedo.
This is what I started with:
This is what I started with:
Looks amazing! I will definitely go this route on my dash pad and if it comes out like a pile of slop, then I'll consider buying new pieces. Seeing what you've turned out here gives me hope that I can work into it with some practice. Great work!
bobs77vet
Well-known member
that finish is incredible is it durable for exterior use?
There is a clear urethane topcoat on the parts. Don't know much about the process but it takes a lot of water. Iv'e seen people use this for exterior trim on cars and even engine parts so it must be pretty durable.
bobs77vet
Well-known member
thats very nice
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