AntonRx Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 Hey all! Boats back from glass guy. Looks fantastic! On to the next project of fastening new black acrylic panel to my console and installing new electronics. What is the best way to fasten it? Screws into the fiberglass or through bolting? Also, should I use some dabs of 4200 in between for added adhesion? Here’s some pics of the console bare now and the acrylic panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonRx Posted February 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 Not sure why that last one was upside down??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 I would pre drill my holes and through bolt with a non countersunk head. This is what I ended up doing after cracking a few test pieces with screws awhile ago. Also you may not want to go with an adhesive but just a simple thin sealant to cut out and vibration between the panel and console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 I would use sealant around the edge and probably through bolt it. I would also try to counter sink the screws. I’m not sure it will work on acrylic but try to run the drill in reverse to countersink. I do that on gelcoat Before sinking a screw. It might work for you and the bit will not bite in and crack the glass . If not use a wood block to stet your depth. Cut a block the length of the bit chucked in the drill minus the cutting edge of the bit. Should make a nice little dish for the screw head to rest in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted February 16, 2020 Report Share Posted February 16, 2020 When drilling the acrylic you must use a small pilot hole and increase the diameter in incriments. Do not go from pilot hole to the final size without small increments. For counter sinking just buy the correct size countersink bit. Use good sharp new bits. Cheaper than a new piece of acrylic. Keep the paper on both sides until everything is cut and drilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonRx Posted February 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 Thanks for the info guys. I will be through bolting with #10 flat heads and nylon lock nuts/washer. Just got in a set of acrylic drill bits. my new dilemma: I want to put the Garmin 942 on the right side. This leaves the fusion radio and vhf to go on the left. only issue is having the wire from the handheld on the VHF drape over my Suzuki gauge. Any suggestions/ideas on how to deal with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted February 17, 2020 Report Share Posted February 17, 2020 How often do you actually use the vhf? If its main purpose is for emergency I would put it under the console. Many good ideas on placement underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonRx Posted February 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 12 minutes ago, smilemaker said: How often do you actually use the vhf? If its main purpose is for emergency I would put it under the console. Many good ideas on placement underneath. smilemaker…. you're making me smile!! Never thought about that. Its for safety and that's it. Thanks for the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonRx Posted February 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Next question. How far apart should I space the bolts for the dash cover? its 24" long.. was thinking every 6".. Is there a standard for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Honesty if you are going to glue it I would try to get away with one in each corner. Once you mount your electronics they will hold the panel in place. If you like the thought of screw or bolt I would do one each corner and one in the middle top and bottom and call it a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 I would not use any glue or adhesive to the plexiglass. If you want to use a bedding compound to seal ok but recessed screws flush mounted will work and look good if strategically placed. Here is a picture of my install. All of the dirty looking areas are actually the pine trees behind it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waterman18 Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Thru bolt.....silicone sealant around edges. Use pan head #10 and spray paint them black before install. Just did mine in starboard and came out great. When i get get my switch panel done, I'm going to switch out to all acrylic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted February 18, 2020 Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Remember your acrylic and fiberglass expand and contract at different rates, so drill your screw holes slightly oversize to keep the acrylic from cracking in very cold or hot weather. You want the panel to be water tight, so some type of caulk is necessary on all edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonRx Posted February 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2020 Thanks all. Here’s what I did today. -drilled/counter sunk all holes -#10 bolts with washer/lock nut (This was a pain bolting the top row!!) -siliconed the edges prior to putting on - next is Cut out/electronics placement -don’t mind the SS finish but I may tape off and shoot with some primer/black rattle can now that they’ve been torqued down -I wanted it to be secure b/c when I cut the hole out for the 942xs, there’s not going to be a lot of fiberglass left on that side. -my next hurdle is placement of my VHF. I hate how the wire drapes over the switches. I’ll be moving over to the left side. Anyone ever mount the VHF on the little space above the cup holders? See pic w/blue below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 On 2/18/2020 at 9:25 AM, HoneyB said: Honesty if you are going to glue it I would try to get away with one in each corner. Once you mount your electronics they will hold the panel in place. If you like the thought of screw or bolt I would do one each corner and one in the middle top and bottom and call it a day X2 on the screws. As far as the wire goes can’t it be run on the inside and come through where it won’t be blocking the gauge. My wrong, your talking about the mike cord, correct. Nature of the beast. See photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Would you consider mounting your gps to the right and your vhf to the left on the new panel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonRx Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 30 minutes ago, HoneyB said: Would you consider mounting your gps to the right and your vhf to the left on the new panel That’s exactly what I’m doing. If I can line it up correctly, the wire will drape to the left of the Suzuki gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Well I had typed how it should fall beside the gauge and all that Jazz but my post seemed long.. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 2 hours ago, HoneyB said: Would you consider mounting your gps to the right and your vhf to the left on the new panel Most seen are on the left. Could mount on right of course if helps with the mike cord. Both sides are good. It’s what you like and works best for you. GO ROUGE break the trend. You have my full support. 😀⚓️ Fin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Center to slightly right seems like a good spot the wheel is center and for a right handed fella it might be easier to reach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blewbyu Posted February 22, 2020 Report Share Posted February 22, 2020 Final bit of advice. Do not over tighten the screws to the acrylic. If you do ( I did on one corner) the plastic will crack and fall off. when it’s tight, STOP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 22, 2020 Report Share Posted February 22, 2020 The new black panel looks great. May I make one suggestion, when I installed my new gps I had to use a piece of black starboard to cover the old cutout and then installed the new gps. I hated the way the silver screws stood out where the oem switch/gauge panel uses black one and looks so much better. I recently painted the screws black and the whole area looks so much better imo. Before and after. Used a paint pen so I did not have to back the screws out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWoodham Posted March 5, 2020 Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 Man, that looks incredible. Where do you get the black acrylic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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