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Racer control panel cover (dashboard)

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trick72:
Hi,
I have vague plans to build my own arcade racer from scratch.
From the help of this great forum, I think I can manage the actual woodwork for the cabinet itself.
What I don't know yet however is how I would manage to create a car "dashboard" from scratch that would fit around my PC steering wheel on the cabinet. Sure, I can stick some self-made stickers of some speed meters etc. but I would like to create some kind of nice rounded shape, which looks like something found in the more recent arcade racers. Example in the attached picture.
Does someone have experience with creating something? Any ideas on material to use? Perhaps fiberglass?
Any ideas are very welcome.
Thank you
Patrick

Howard_Casto:
Okay the easiest way?  Cut out the front of the dashboard you want to make with the curve in there like in your pic.  Get yourself some thin board that bends easy, like 1/8th inch plywood.  Start gluing/screwing one layer after another to the top of your dash front to make that curve.... when you get the thickness you want, stop and trim the edges of all those boards to be flush.  Now cover with vinyl or fill with wood putty to make it look like a single piece. 

I hope that makes sense to you.

trick72:
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. Yes it makes sense...

I think within ten years, when 3D printing becomes a common device... we all laugh at how many hours of work it used to take to get something like this...
With a 3d printer, we probably just quickly "draw" a control panel in our 3D PC program, and "print" it out in plastic in an hour...

Maybe i have to be more patient ;)
Thanks

Fursphere:
If you know how to fiberglass (its not that hard, but it is messy) you could use that thick pink and blue insulation foam to mock up whatever you want but cutting / sanding / gluing, then fiberglass over it. 

Similar to what Howard recommended, just a lot faster and easier to work with.  Fiberglass resin becomes the tricky part afterwards.  Then sanding the fiberglass smooth.

This simple video explains the process... 

Howard_Casto:
Yeah that's why I didn't recommend it... the mess and the finishing.  I always doo pretty good until I get to the final "glassing" step and then I want to murder anyone in my immediate vicinity.  Of course once I'm done there's the winter wonderland to clean up.  ;)

But if you have experience with it....  have at it... the result will be lighter and in the long run probably more durable.

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