Adding Custom Labels to New Carbon Fiber Dash Panel
 

I'm updating my wife's deck boat this year with a new motor and electronic intrumention displays. I have cut a carbon fiber panel for the new dash and need to label the power switches. I would like the lettering directly on the panel with clear coat over it or laser type print or engraving. Has anyone done this themselves that can instruct me on how to do it. If not is there a good vendor on OSO to have it done.

May not be the RIGHT way to do it, but Im thinking a sign shop or custom paint shop should be able to make you a mask, then peel the mask and clear....

Sam, Ron, Double Rigged, has a "guy" that can make the panel with carbon panel any graphics or text you like. Just use your piece of carbon for a coaster! :drink:

an expensive coaster!

Well I took it to a local trophy shop and had it engraved with a laser engraver. Looks good. Not back fill and clear coat!

Cool, Sam! Post the completed product.

can you post a picture?Thanks

I'll get them posted this weekend or next week.

Dash panel update

I've been out of the shop for a few days but after having my panel laser engraved at a local trophy shop I tested several paints on a test engraving. They worked well but ran when clear coated. I chose to use white gel coat with wax to back fill the engraving.

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First I over filled the engraving. After the Gel coat set I then sanded with 320 wet paper.

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I will touch up defects re-sand and clear coat

Sam, Are you going to use DR's lighted touch switches?

Yes! Already in stock waiting to finish the panel and this nasty chest cold to go away so I can get back to work rigging!

Carbon Fiber Panel complete and ready for install with flush mount Garmin display

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Resettable LED switches provided by Double Rigged on OSO!

Note small letters did well with gel coat fill but logo would have been easier if we lad etched the panel,deeper as I had some bleed through of the carbon. Good enough for the Wife's deck boat though!

Looks great, what hole size is required for those switches?

3/4"

Wow, surprised.

What is the OD of the front then? Meaning the part you see on the panel.

Unsure I have the room without getting into a big project. Those are crazy expensive, but I like them :).

Yes, 3/4" OD. Contact Double Rigged here on OSO. He can hook you up. I also looked at these https://www.oznium.com/bi-color-anti-vandal-switch for some cheap ones with out the breakers. Get the prewired or connectors if you use theirs unless you can solder really good!

Panel completed and installed!

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Now it's Skater time!

Skate, what model Garmin is that? Did it come with the flush mount bracket? The dash came out great man, first class!!

Garmin 741 GPS/Map. It's really nice with built in antennae and Wifi like my 7610 in the Skater.

Yes it has a flush mount bracket. For the install I did not use the bracket.
I cut the carbon first then the dash. The face and back of the GPS are the same size with a 1/2" flange around the middle. I routed a 1/2" Wide by 1/2" deep groove around the cut out into the face of the dash for the GPS flange. The GPS is sandwiched between the remaining 1/4" of dash from the back and the carbon fiber on the face with a bead of silicone around the perimeter.

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This is what I was left with after removing the old plastic dash! So everything was rebuilt with 3/4" plywood and glass

I will connect motor, fuel sending unit, depth gauge, Fusion B100 black box, to the Garmin via NEMA 2000.