Fascia Panel Project

[Candles]

The fog switch is just a switch. The hazard switch is slightly more complicated as it changes the power over from the normal indicators to the hazard setting. I'm using a switch driving a relay, but I reckon you could do it with any DPDT switch and a little imagination!

So, in short, don't get stuck with a sub-optimal switch for technical reasons!

Oh, and the link was supposed to take you to the photos at the bottom!

Candles.

[Doug]

Blair,

check my switches after jumped in the Saab to drive home last nite, after the above posting.

revised thoughts:

--hazard switch is simple and small.
should look fine by the rheostat but why not mount it also fairly out of view?

--front and rear fog switches are smaller than my memory and are an appropriate size
they are in a bank of 3 on my 9-3, the top one (front fog I think) is square but has rounded edges at the top side and the middle one (rear I think) is square with sharp edges all four sides


don't know what you have or are getting -- just my observations

I do have the 9-3 wiring diagrams, so if you want I can take a digital pic of the appropriate pages and email it to you?

as before, I'd recommend you get 2 of everything for later spares . . .

[Elanlover]

Hey Doug, thanks for that. The foglights are exactly as you described. The top one has a rounded top edge and the bottom one is square. I have the wiring diagrams for the fogs and I think I've got that figured out. As for the hazard, we were sort of running out of room on the fascia mask itself and there wasn't an obvious place to stick it that looked "natural". Plus, when the 3 gauges were moved over to the right, there was a big gap between the last gauge and the rheostat knob with nothing else really to mount there. I was hoping it'd all look somewhat natural with the 3 round gauges followed by the two round controls (hazard and rheostat). Let's hope we guessed right because the cutouts are done and changing now would add to the cost.

There is one thing that would be helpful. If you have the wiring schematic for the hazard that'd be fantastic. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have the front and rear foglight switch schematics as well if you wouldn't mind. I haven't yet bought a second set of switches but I think I will. They seem to be reasonably plentiful on eBay so I'll wait for soem cheap ones to appear.

[Candles]

Once all the cutting and filling is done, what are you covering the dash in? Will it be spray painted?

I only ask as I need some ideas for bits of mine!

Candles.

[DeeAitch]

I only ask as I need some ideas for bits of mine!

Candles.

'Soft touch' paint is in vogue right now, but 'Piano black' is coming up on the rails

[Elanlover]

Candles, I think I'm going with a low gloss black paint. I really struggled with this for a while. First, I didn't want to choose an "exotic" paint scheme with funky designs, etc. It just doesn't suit the subtleness of the car. I also didn't wan't to flashy a colour as it needed to go with the rest of the grey-ish dash colour and the rest of the interior. Also, I knew I needed to stay away from anything with a glossy finish as, when the roof was down, the glare would probably be a major distraction. Lastly, I didn't want the dash itself to be the focal point. The DESIGN of the dash could attract some attention (nice locaiton of switches, LCD panel, etc.) but not the fascia itself.

So, I think we've decided to go with a black truck underbed spray. Yep, you read that right. This spray is a matte black and every so slightly textured. It'll resemble the original fascia colouring and texture somewhat. I have a series of chrome rings for the various gauges so the combination of black and chrome (and red lighting at night) should look quite nice. Plus, one advatgage to this paint is that, if you get a scratch, you can literally brush some more on and it won't be noticeable.

[Elanlover]

I think its this paintor something similar. Of course, I am open to suggestions.

[lotusgirlmarie]

What about upholstering the dash in suede or alcantara. Paint? Noooooooo!!!!!!

[F1 LOTUS]

All that effort, then cover it with paint?

[Doug]

Blair,

the top rounded edge one is the rear fog -- I looked and committed it to memory for you today

I'm off for a long weekend tomorrow, but I'll try to remember after to snap pix of those pages and email to you -- remind me in a week if needed

-D

[Elanlover]

The problem I have with suede or fabric of any kind will come from the dash mounted cupholder and spills. I suppose if it doesn't look good I can always explore those options. Although, I'm not sure how well fabric of any kind will form around the gauges and speedo cluster without the need to cut and shape it over all indents, curves and sharp bends The entire fascia need to be covered in something as the surface of the used one I sourced was pretty beat up with nicks and gouges everywhere.

I have to admit that I have a hard time wrapping my head around the look that a fabric would present. Marie, did you post some closeup pics of your dash somewhere?

[Jackonicko]

MG dashboards had a 'crackle finish' which looked very 'British sports car'.

As I recall, you heat it after application. Whether that would work on other than a metal dash, I don't know, but your local beardie sandal wearing MG owner's club (and that apostrophe placement is quite deliberate!) would.

or you could look at:

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/wrinkle-paint.html

Worth a try, I'd say.

[Elanlover]

MG dashboards had a 'crackle finish' which looked very 'British sports car'.

As I recall, you heat it after application. Whether that would work on other than a metal dash, I don't know, but your local beardie sandal wearing MG owner's club (and that apostrophe placement is quite deliberate!) would.

or you could look at:

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/wrinkle-paint.html

Worth a try, I'd say.

Jackonicko, the paint I am plannign on using will look similar to that actually but probably not quite as textured or "bumply" (new word requiring a dedicated smilie icon now). Just a bit smoother so it still has that OEM dash look to it.

[dapinky]

MG dashboards had a 'crackle finish' which looked very 'British sports car'.

And it has a Lotus heritage - the cam cover on the Original Elan Sprint and Europa Special (Big Valve Webber head) was finished in crackle black paint

When i repainted my cam cover it was just a case of using the proper paint, and the second coat goes on whilst the first is not fully dry - allowing it to 'pickle' a bit. i don't see why it wouldn't work on plastic.

[Jackonicko]

I know the paint you mean, but I think that will look coarse, crude, and a bit home made on a dash. A crackle finish looks a safer bet to me. Why not try both on scrap plastic, then decide?

[tweetdriver63]

I don't have any pictures, but I re-did the dash in one of the 914s I used to have. I didn't like the ugly factory covering. I covered the whole fascia with a very high quality textured black vinyl that looked like, and had the feel of leather. It was very easy to work with, and easy to clean. I used spray adhesive on the back of it, and cut all the openings to exactly match the surface behind, then all of the switches/gauges/radio, etc went back in overlapping it around the edges of the openings. It looked fantastic.

[Elanlover]

After due consideration of all the much appreciated advice, thoughts and musings of our fine forum members I have decided upon a colour..................a light shade of olive green. I think it will look quite nice. Whaddya think?

[tweetdriver63]

It gives it a nice, military surplus feel, I think.

[lotusgirlmarie]

nice job!! I think your right that covering the dash in suede would be very hard. You have alot going on there and too many intricacies to have a good job done. Either a mild wrinkle finish or a smooth matte black would be best.

I do have some shots of my dash in the LGM thread or the April section of the calendar.

[GeoffSmith]

Looking good Blair.

Have you moved the V5 switcher knob to underneath the display? If you have, I could possibly mount the LED board off the top of the switch board which would make mounting a whole lot easier.

If you or Doug could send me the SAAB hazard diagram, I'll try and work out what you need to do.

Geoff