Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I'm getting ready to tackle my dash/gage panel.
What thickness aluminum plate has everybody used for their dash/gage panel?
I was most likely going to use 1/8" thick aluminum.
Thanks,
Dan

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I used 1/4 inch on my Fountain... only because the dash panel supported the steering ... I wanted it beefy...... If it's just holding the gauges.. 1/8 is plenty thick.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

Consider coating the back of the panel with something non conductive. Even sticky plastic shelf paper. You never know what might come loose back there.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

Hey good idea, it will also act as a gasket when mounting the panel to the dash.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

How/where do you send it for engraving?

I also need to build a new dash panel, but not sure how to get the panel with the switch names engraved, and I do not want to use stickers or anything too sloppy.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

Check with those companies that make the pre-cut vinyl letters. They may be able to make you a reverse one that you could use as a template for light sandblasting followed by airbrushing.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I had mine engraved... then anodized... then the engraving was "filled" with baked in white enamel.. I don't know who does it in your area... but I can tell you who does it here in Los Angeles... :D

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I CNC-milled them out of anodized 1/8" aluminum. In that way, the letters became silver (aluminum) colored.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

If you use plastic with a translucent center, you can backlight it and the lettering will glow at night. That's what a lot of mfrs do. The little lillumination strips just stick on the back.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

i did mine out of i believe 1/8 might have been a littel thicker but certainly not 1/4 mine also support the steering.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I built mine during a recent overhaul of 1/8" Aluminum with excellent results. It is thick enough to machine well, but any thicker would be overkill.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I can get you one made, engraved and painted. What's the boat and how do you want the panel laid out. I've got great deals on pre-fab'd panels. Give me a call or email.

Finn

510.541.8124

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

I have made several fountain panels and powder coat them front and back. After powder coating them, I laser engrave them which cuts through the powder coating and leaves the silver aluminum lettering and logo. I can also custom engrave the billet steering centers and various other anodized or powder coated parts.

Todd

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

haha "finn" what teh normal spelling woudl cuase too much confusion!!!

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

Poodar, Hey YOU'RE giving me a hard time about MY spelling?!?!?!

You think I'm gonna' spell my name right? No f'n way! Yes, that would cause waaay too much confusion.

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

heheh

yeah definatly not pronounced like its spelled (threw me for a loop)!

Re: Aluminum dash gage panel thickness
 

Finn

Here is pic of my current dash and my boat--

Would like to cover the entire guage panel, trim indicator panel and trim switch panel with a yellow material to match the other trim on boat. I sent via email but not sure if they went from this machine at work.

Poorsche

www.boatmat.com