Plastic Panels

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:23 pm

Anybody have a good source for plastic woodgrain panels. The type of thing you would find on a dash that gauges and switches are mounted on for example. I can find pre-made switch or gauge panels but I'm looking for panels like 4ft by 4ft so I can do my own thing. I know I won't have molded edges but I'm OK with that. There are quite a few plastics companies out there that produce these but require large quantity orders. I'll probably only need one panel.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:16 am

Plastic on a woodie

what about plywood and veneer ?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:56 pm

Redoing the upper helm so I want something that I can leave out in the elements and not have to remove gauges, switches etc every few years to refinish.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:23 am

have you tried ebay?

Torcan · Post by **Torcan** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:34 am

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:07 pm

Ya G, I keep an eye on ebay. There is a lot of automotive panels. The trick is to search as many different descriptions as possible, so far no luck.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:00 pm

I am pretty sure I saw a company at TIBS a couple of years back that could / would create / cut whatever you wanted in plastic. One of their plastics was very much a wood grain (looking like an oak or other dark, grained wood). They could make it in whatever size or shape you wanted, make specific products from it (drink holders etc), simple sheet, or bend the sheet as you would like (as in an instrument panel). If I can find the info in the basement over the next few days I will pass it along.

Captain Blast Off · Post by **Captain Blast Off** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:43 pm

Out here we have a company called "TAP PLASTIC" they have everything plastic.

Not sure if they are East or not.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:52 pm

I know who you're talking about. Met them at the show also. I didn't really get a good feel from the guy there. Didn't seem like they would sell me a sheet, wanted a large order to put into production, couldn't point me to anybody that had a large order recently that I may contact, and wanted me to make up cardboard cutouts of all the pieces I wanted to which they would then make templates and then produce the individually vacuum formed pieces $$$$! Going to try calling the office though and hopefully hook up with someone that can actually help. Why is this stuff that's so widely used yet so hard to find panels of??

Captain Blast Off · Post by **Captain Blast Off** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:58 pm

I agree with you; shouldn't be a hassle it's just plastic. Tap has done some custom stuff for us in the past. Have you thought about using vynal over your existing wood?

Tons of sign guys out there with outdoor products. Might be cheaper.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:53 pm

[quote="captainmaniac"]I am pretty sure I saw a company at TIBS a couple of years back that could / would create / cut whatever you wanted in plastic.[quote]

Found the old flyer... Ontario Plastic Fabricators http://www.ontarioplastics.ca , in Scarborough. The flyer says one of the things they "Specialize in" is "Woodgrain plastic for instrument panels", but no pics of any such thing on their web site.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:30 pm

Those are the people I thought you were talking about Captain. I have talked to them before at the show as mentioned above. Next time I'm down in the area, I'm going to drop by and check things out for myself.

Molly Too · Post by **Molly Too** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:15 am

Why not Formica or Wilson Art plastic laminate? Easy to tool, glue and form.....that's what I'm planning to use.

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:17 am

Try seafarer marine
http://www.seafarermarine.com/

I just replaced some of my lower helm panels and they did a great job.
The lower panel with the key switches, horn bottom, and resets cost 30 dollars cut and edged. Mine are flat black but they also have wood grain.

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:37 am

Try this place,,,,

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Transp ... nate_Sheet

click on, Polycarbonate Sheet Bronze & Gray Color

This may not be just what your looking for, but perhaps you could find a self sticking overlay, that you could put over it. You could also sprasy paint or apply something to the back of it, so the shine would show?

I'd like to redo my panel, but got so many irons in the fire now wanting to do to the boat, but it's on my "to do " list.

Larry