dash holes

[ralphv]

I want to powder coat my dash, however there are numerous 1/8 inch holes which surround the instrument holes. Has anyone been able to fill these holes so that they do not show after powdercoating?

[COMPETITIONCOBRA]

Find someone to Tig weld up the holes then sand / grind smooth. No other way will work because the powder coat system heats up the part so any chemical fillers will blister and burn out from the heat.

[FritoBandito]

Originally Posted by COMPETITIONCOBRA

Find someone to Tig weld up the holes then sand / grind smooth. No other way will work because the powder coat system heats up the part so any chemical fillers will blister and burn out from the heat.

You can back the hole and fill it with Lab-Metal. Probably simpler and cheaper just to have it tig welded though.

Mario

[thebicman]

I would order a blank dash. Why take the risk of them showing.

[ralphv]

Thanks to everyone.
I have talked with an expert tig welder and he tells me that the sheet metal dash board will warp from the heat. Have you found otherwise. My man will do it with no guarantee.
Regarding Lab-metal, have you found that powder coating will cover the holes after they are filled with it? This is the ideal method for me as I have custom fit the dash already with a glove box and other fitments. They have two products, one is 1000 degree and one for lower temperature. Which will work better?

[Mike in Victoria]

Order a blank dash, it will turn out nicer in the end.

[FritoBandito]

Originally Posted by ralphv

Thanks to everyone.
I have talked with an expert tig welder and he tells me that the sheet metal dash board will warp from the heat. Have you found otherwise. My man will do it with no guarantee.
Regarding Lab-metal, have you found that powder coating will cover the holes after they are filled with it? This is the ideal method for me as I have custom fit the dash already with a glove box and other fitments. They have two products, one is 1000 degree and one for lower temperature. Which will work better?

I haven't powdered coated mine yet but my powdercoating guy says the low temp will work fine. I'm using it to full flush rivets on my footbox cover to make them disappear. It's a little tricky to get it to stick in small holes. Prep is the key. The stuff is kinda expensive too. In your situation I think I'd just redo the dash.

Mario

[ralphv]

Hello FritoB. - - Thank you for the input.

I wonder if you have applied the low temperature material with a soldering iron. I have tried other materials with a small propane torch and get warping of the metal. I'd hope that a soldering iron would eliminate that issue since the temperature would be lower.

My powder coat people say that their oven is 400 degrees F. Might that melt the 350 degree material?

When will you powder coat yours?

Many thanks, Ralph

[Tickwomp]

Originally Posted by Mike in Victoria

Order a blank dash, it will turn out nicer in the end.

What's more work filling a bunch of little holes are accurately marking and cutting big holes in a new $90 panel?

Ken

[KC Wildcat]

Why risk it? How much would you save "attempting to fix it" over just buying a blank dash? You have the old dash to locate the guages, you have the option of putting the guages where you want them (ie, where you can easily see them at a glance - let's face it, with these cars 99.9% of your attention needs to be on the road, the guages are not the easiest to read, the seat and wheel have little to no adjustabiltiy, so you want to mount your seat and use paper templates to make sure your guages are clearly visible, that switches are easily reached (which belted in), etc. I recommend everyone starts with a blank dash...very little extra work, but I believe the results are worth it.

[ralphv]

Thanks again for the input! Lots of good thoughts.

Now, I need some guidance regarding making the holes for the gages.