fiberglass

ok, so lets pretend a freind of mine accidentally cut a hole on his dash about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch to big for a button because it was 1 in the mornin and he wasnt thinking very straight. what would be the best way to fix this. Does home Depot carry some sort of fiberglass patching compound or is he screwed.

thanks
Alex

Your local auto parts store should have some fiberglass resin and stuff to be able to do that but you'll probably need some touch up paint because you might have to do some sanding. Just make sure that it's day time when you're doing the repair.

How about a chrome washer to fill in the extra space and consider it a lesson learned?

Kitty hair, or some other fiber re-inforced filler may also work. Not as much strength as fiberglass, but easy to use.

It seems that jeff is familiar with fiberglass repair.

I vote with my esteemed (although warmth-challenged) Canadian friend, Mike Cochrane:

Go with a decorative washer, or use the washer that's supposed to be part of the switch, and use another washer behind the fiberglass and then simply center the switch shaft in the hole before tightening (and use locktite on the threads). If the decorative washer (bezel) that comes with the switch isn't big enough, get one that is and als a few extras to use on your other switches so they all match.

gn

Oh yeah......very familiar with fiberglass!

Be creative and "bush" the oversized hole....the back side of the bushing will have a flat surface to draw against the back of the dash area

Cut a bigger hole and put in a clock. Jest Kiddin.

I like the bushing route.

Jim

Jim, Wish Id of come up with the clock idea, brilliant!!! However, I thought you were going to stay away from Politics? "like the bush ing idea" Good to see you on the 'puter buddy.
dale

where can i get these big pretty washers, i dont thing Home Depot carrys them

Thanks Dale! I am home after a long day at the transplant cocktail lounge. You are right about the Politics because I am out of politics baby! To heck with the right and the left and the center, I am my own country! I mean that! Out with the politics, I love Speedsters.!!! And I love Bushings! And I love the thought of a Chrome Washer, umhum, yes, parts, I love parts.

Technically speaking, I think I would go for a nice chrome washer, after widening the hole, and then going for the bushing. Somehow I would use my cLock with a second hand too. But no flat washers, I want a supple, yet firm, and user friendly Brazilain chrome washer. Or a German Stainless Steel Washer, or a... Japanese Shiney Washer... or a High Gloss Black Washer.

Jim, The Ruby Red Rider. Now Non-political, but big on parts!

Upscale hardware stores carry a large selection of chrome hardware...Harley Dealers have draws of these goodies!

I have some nice decorative ones left over from a Volvo. Send me your address and I will drop them in an envalope and send them.

Ben

Alex; as of this writing my friend JJ has been patching up the dash on his CMC to install a set of 356 replica gauges. He had way too many gauges in his dash and he's patching it up. I'v been helping him so I know it's messy but I'm confident it'll be done right. I told him to post how he did it for the benefit of our fellow forum members; after all that's what this is all about right?...

One other idea. Maybe you could use the chrome bezel that is used for the light and wiper switches. They are available at many places online. I am looking at an NLA Unlimited Parts Catalog and see it (the bezel) listed as Part Number 644 613 505 00 at a cost of $9.90 Phone is 1-800-438-8119 or (775) 626-7800

Look at the bezels for your wipers/lights and see if that does the trick to fill the hole. You might need to drill it to fit your switch.

You could also go to Pep Boys and NAPA and look through their switch Bezels and also other hardware and see if you can find something that works.

Jim

Alex; I'm sorry I didn't realize it was just a small diference in small holes. Over here we are able to get some sort of a fiberglass powder that when mixed with the resin makes up some type of putty to fill up small holes and the like. See if you can get something like that locally; the downside is that you'll need to touch up the paint in that area.

i got some fiberglass patch stuff, if i cant find a good washer or somthing like that im going to give that a try.

Alex
Email me with the ID and OD of the chrome washer you need.... I dug around in my shop and found a few
Alan