Custom Builds - Dash Cluster- Is it me?

[Fatherflash]

Ok, well...that's a lot of cutting to angle each gauge to 10 degrees. Rather than cutting each gauge location, why not angle the entire gauge cluster to 10 degrees?

Also, HDPE does not necessarily like temperature cycling (cold/hot/cold/hot) and may become brittle over time. HDPE definitely does not like freezing temperatures and is extremely brittle in these applications. Heat transfer into cold HDPE plastic, i.e. dash lights can cause cracking. This can be worsened through chlorine impregnation which is likely not a concern for this application. If you are heart set on HDPE, I would recommend impregnating it with fiberglass and adding a UV stabilizer to the cluster mount. You could more than likely add two plies of 7781 fiberglass through the cluster which would aid in retention if the cluster becomes brittle and cracks.

If at all possible, I would recommend using polyester resins and graphite fabric which would give you a much more durable cluster. Place UV stabilizers in the resin and you would likely have a cluster that would last longer than the truck. If you do not want the "graphite look" you can coat the cluster with a polyester filler such as DeSoto 8620 or 8620TG and have a smooth look which can be reworked and smoothed to your requirements.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by Fatherflash

Ok, well...that's a lot of cutting to angle each gauge to 10 degrees. Rather than cutting each gauge location, why not angle the entire gauge cluster to 10 degrees?

Also, HDPE does not necessarily like temperature cycling (cold/hot/cold/hot) and may become brittle over time. HDPE definitely does not like freezing temperatures and is extremely brittle in these applications. Heat transfer into cold HDPE plastic, i.e. dash lights can cause cracking. This can be worsened through chlorine impregnation which is likely not a concern for this application. If you are heart set on HDPE, I would recommend impregnating it with fiberglass and adding a UV stabilizer to the cluster mount. You could more than likely add two plies of 7781 fiberglass through the cluster which would aid in retention if the cluster becomes brittle and cracks.

If at all possible, I would recommend using polyester resins and graphite fabric which would give you a much more durable cluster. Place UV stabilizers in the resin and you would likely have a cluster that would last longer than the truck. If you do not want the "graphite look" you can coat the cluster with a polyester filler such as DeSoto 8620 or 8620TG and have a smooth look which can be reworked and smoothed to your requirements.

I was just going to say that... but, you beat me to it. LOL!
Wow, that's some impressive smarts there.