I‘m making new dash panels for the 242 and I'm going to use 3M 1080 carbon fiber vinyl overlay over the new plastic panels. 'I'm only installing three 3 ½“ and two 2“ gauges so the weight on the material will not be very heavy. What material thickness have other people used before for their dash panels?

You going plastic?? I usually use a 14 or 16ga aluminum...In plastic I would imagine you would need 1/8" min to keep it from breaking if it flexes...I dont know.

1/8" to 3/16" tops.

I used flat aluminum...almost to the exact same spec as a street sign. Cut the exact holes, had it sanded, primered and painted. Cost of maybe $100. Overall, the process was pretty easy.

i use 3/16'' with beveled edges..any thinner and the carbon fiber flex's and the gauge's move around..