Cracked Console...possible to fiberglass it?

[jwetsit]

I have a 1996 Crownline boat and the drivers console is broken up pretty good. Somebody fell into it and the plastic is pretty brittle. Is it possible to use it as a mold to make a new fiberglass one out of it? If it is does anybody know of a place I can send it to get done right the first time. I would try my hand at it, but I am pretty sure I will end up ruining it.

thank you

[mark775]

I guess I've not got a good pic -can you post one? Because of the brittle nature, I'm going to make an assumption that this is plexi. If so, it can be used as a mold but... i'm goin' out on a limb here...it would be better to just buy new plexi or make a mold from melamine board or hot glue foam into what you want, radius edges, and epoxy. Problem is, we put up with distortion as plexi is heated and bent because that's just the way it is but a shiny new piece of anything else will stand out like a sore thumb if stretched/contorted/oil-canned therefore, plexi isn't a good mold substrate (not to mention that styrene attacks it). Good luck - Mark

[PAR]

I'd be surprised if it was polycarbonate (plexi). It's very likely PVC or ABS. In either case it can be repaired with epoxy, reinforcements and paint, to look like brand new.

Alternately it could be reassembled roughly, used as the basis for a mold and a new 'glass console constructed from it.

It wouldn't be a difficult job for an experienced epoxy fabricator, but I wouldn't let anyone touch it if they wanted to use any other resin system.

Contact me by email (click on my name) and we can discuss details.

[ondarvr]

I'm assuming you're talking about the gauge panel (dashboard)

If you look in the yellow pages under "plastic(s)" you'll find places near you that will carry many different types of plastic sheets or panels, just about every color and look is available. Don't worry about messing it up, if you drill a hole in the wrong place just buy another piece.

If it's the Fiberglass portion you can still do it, just different instructions.

[mark775]

Well, we still don't know what exactly it is we are trying to fix here.

[jwetsit]

Sorry it has taken a bit to get the pictures taken.

Here are pictures and you can see all the cracks around the gauges, the steering column, etc....

It is and will be covered up by some sort of fabric so the finished product does not need to be showroom quality.

Let me know what you think.

thank you

JD Wetsit

[mark775]

Looks like injection molded plastic and I have no idea what will stick to it.

[PAR]

As I suggested, it's PVC or ABS, judging by it's shape, vacuum formed.

It can be repaired to look like brand new. You can ship it to me or any one of hundreds of experienced fabricators around the country.

It'll be repaired with epoxy and fabric reinforcement, recovered with marine vinyl if you like or you can cover it yourself. The repaired areas will be stronger then the original material.

[Typhoon]

Find a local plastic welder and see if they can repair it, then reinforce it with a few layers of CSM or glue some stringers onto it from behind.

Regards, Andrew.

[mark775]

What Par says makes more sense than what I said. I was thinking polyethylene and he's right on second look.

[tonykalil]

I used to run product development for Crownline, and I recognize that dash. PM me your number, and I will give you the rep's number for NovaTron (the company that made the dash for that boat).

They still have all of the tooling for those dashes, and may be able to run you a part. You will have no luck with Crownline right now, as they have the doors shut, and are up for bid. It is a sad state for the Marine Industry right now, when a great company like Crownline is in its current state.

The company that I started after leaving Crownline, Azure Boats, is also having very tough times right now.

Your best bet is to go to NovaTron.

Regards