Skip to main content
Topic: Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels (Read 1386 times) previous topic - next topic

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

I am doing some custom plastic molding to my gauge and radio bezels (7" touchscreen and relocated airvents) and I was wondering if anyone knows how I could re-create the brushed, silver look after I'm done...
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #1
try giving it a light coat of silver, then take a dry, soft paint brush and drag it across it...

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #2
Ok, I'll try that on some s pieces and see what happens.  I'll have to make sure I have a nice, consistent, darker color underneath the silver as well.
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats


Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #4
I'll try steel wool on my test piece as well.  Gonna be a couple weeks 'til I'm ready but I'll also post the results.
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #5
I have some decal substrate that matches pretty good. It's what I make my brushed aluminum center console decals out of.

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #6
I was wondering if you were gonna chime in, Aerobird!  I'll go check out what you're talking about...  Also gonna need some new decals soon too.  I should look at that stuff as well.  Also, I'm gonna shoot you a PM...
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #7
woah, just checked your page.  What happened?  I was there a few months back but now I can't find any of the interior stuff you had.  Is something wrong with your page?  All I can get to is "appearance."
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #8
Quote from: booksix;195174
(7" touchscreen and relocated airvents)


Been there, done that ;)

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #9
Cool... looks more like an 8" 4:3 screen too me though.  A bit too big for my taste but I like your vents.  What are they out of?  Do they still pivot and close?  I just made mine out of the same ones I removed from the gauge bezel but they may look to big, we'll see...
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #10
I started to re-vamp it, and then life got in the way. I still make the decals. Shoot me a PM.

 

Duplicating the "brushed" finish of dash panels

Reply #11
ok...
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats