Fabricating a touch screen into the dash
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From: MA
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Originally Posted by Vinnie
cool stuff, i like how u always have tons of pix! 
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From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528 Nice.
I don't know anything about this. How does it go from looking all steel-wooly when you put the green stuff on to looking all smooth when you're done? Does it dry smooth? Or do you put something else over it?
I don't know anything about this. How does it go from looking all steel-wooly when you put the green stuff on to looking all smooth when you're done? Does it dry smooth? Or do you put something else over it?
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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Rep Power: 368 Just gotta post up my props to J187 on this whole thread - dude, I'm workin on my carputer setup right now too, just need a few more cables, a GPS unit, and a notebook HDD to complete it before I rip up my baby and pop it all in. Your pictures really helped me with my console design for my Xenarc.
Gonna wait to see how your method stands up to the dreaded glare....
Gonna wait to see how your method stands up to the dreaded glare....
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Rep Power: 310 Telly, I tested my screen for glare for like a week before I started fabricating. It got a little, but not much at all. Haven't even tinted windows yet, which will cut down for sure. I'll mostly be using it at night, but I'm not worried about the daytime considering what I've seen from my experience.
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Originally Posted by HomerSimpson
Looks really good.
How difficult has it been?
How difficult has it been?
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Rep Power: 310 Try it, I'm sure you'll do a kick-*** job. Fact of the matter is, you can't really F anything up too badly unless you quit. Even if you cut plastic too much or gouge the plastic, you can always improvise. The only way to really screw it up is to get frustrated and leave the console half-glassed. Give it a shot.
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Rep Power: 310 Get the materials anywhere they sell auto supplies. Pep boys, autoZone, VIP autparts, etc. But I personally suggest you grab a yellow pages and look for a place that specifically sells auto body materials to shops, under auto repair materials/supplies. Alternatively, you could just call a local body shop and ask where they buy there **** from. These places usually get better quality stuff. But do some serious research before you jump into it. Google for DIY, tutorials, fiberglass, fabrication, bono etc.
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Rep Power: 310 yeah, on page 3 you'll see that I kept the power button. All the other buttons are insignificant. The video mode will stay the same always for the computer. And once I set the V-hold and all that, it won't have to change. Besides, I'm ordering a backup remote this week. And if the battery dies . . . I'll break out my CVS "extracare" shoppers card and buy another one 
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Rep Power: 0 oh chit my bad 
, didnt see that... only saw the pics. i use the regular chits, resin and mat for easy task and uniform texture. i still think its a bad idea though...IMO
, didnt see that... only saw the pics. i use the regular chits, resin and mat for easy task and uniform texture. i still think its a bad idea though...IMO
Originally Posted by PopcornPlaya
One more time for the reading impared. He's using Bondo-glass. That's bondo with fiberglass fibers mixed already. It applies and mixes like bondo with added fiber strength. Tiger hair is another name for it. Yes, laying up is strong, but for thie project it wan't necessary, plus he had some left over from teh other project, so why waste it?
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Originally Posted by profuse007
oh chit my bad , didnt see that... only saw the pics. i use the regular chits, resin and mat for easy task and uniform texture. i still think its a bad idea though...IMO
, didnt see that... only saw the pics. i use the regular chits, resin and mat for easy task and uniform texture. i still think its a bad idea though...IMO- I already had the materials
- I'm very used to working with it
- It's far easy to shape and form than fiberglass matting
- It sands easier
- The project was quick and extremely successfull
You couldn't argue that it was a bad idea. I wouldn't even make the argument that using matting would have been a bad idea. It just wouldn't have been as effective for me as the tiger's hair.
Bottom line - Pissing on an electrical fence is a bad idea. Using a material you already have and having great success on a project is a good one
Last edited by J187; Mar 4, 2005 at 09:46 AM.
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Rep Power: 310 I did a shitload of spray outs. Finally decided on Gray Graphite by Plastikote Trunk and sport utility. I like it a lot because it has tons of flake and looks really nice. The paint was semi gloss so no clear because it would be too shiny. The paint is pretty strong without clear anyway.
I spent 1425 points to do this.
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From: Manchester, CT, US
Rep Power: 0 wow, ive got that same screen im gonna be puting in soon. i have no clue where...i think im just gonna put it over the cup holders down there. maybe someday glass it and lose the cup holders all together.
Last edited by SOHC; Mar 4, 2005 at 02:54 PM.
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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Originally Posted by SOHC
theres a diy over on mp3car.com for this screen- you can set it so that it turns on by itself when you start your car. requires soldering.
