Going old school...

I am building a new dash for my Spider out of a sheet of aluminum. It is very simple, just consists of a vertical piece about 6 1/2 inches tall, and then I used our sheet metal brake to put a 90 degree bend in it and cut it to match the curve of the windshield, I am going to roll the bottom lip to give it a more finished look, and I am going to powder coat it with a semi gloss textured finish black. What I am trying to figure out is where to get a sheet of metal with a finish like this... this picture is just an example off ebay:



Anyone know what that style of finish is called? I am wanting to make inserts on either side of the dash with that swirl finish in them. One side will be the glove box door and the other side will be the back ground for the gauges. For gauges, I am going with the green line Stewart Warner gauges Summit sells. I am going to use a '66 Mustang ignition switch I found in a junkyard because it has the bezel that screws on, so I can drill a hole and mount it in the dash.

 

My dad used to work at a sheet metal place when I was younger and the guys called it "fish scale". They were a bunch of crazy zany guys though, so that could be made up lol.

 

Reminds me of the late 70s TAs...cool stuff.

 

Check this out.
http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~eamonn/et/et.htm

 

here's a slighty textured option, but tis' not as squared, fish scale is actually the name of this pattern shown in the link, was used a LOT in awnings on old pacific region homes that i've seen, people primer it with kilz and paint it, but it's nice as is. you could try ordering a bit and see if you like it... pretty sure home depot has it, if not try lowes tis' an option for you at the least.

Another intersting thing i've seen at a couple car shows is the use of aluminum flashing, one guy had trunk trim in an old buick that he stamped with some leather stamps and installed, very very cool look wish i had my camera that day. The aluminum flashing is soft enough to take impression, however easily scratched... v_v

http://www.wunderlite.com.au/fish_scale_pressed_tin_panels.html

 

It is called engine turning.

Here is an option
http://www.hotrodworks.net/decal/dash.html

 

Had to save this one!

 

Bingo.

 

if you powder coat it, wouldn't it cover over the texture anyway?

 

I am powder coating the shell of the dash. The powder I am using is a black semi gloss textured finish. On either side of the dash will be openings, one for the glove box and the other side for the back side of the gauges to go through. I am going to make panels to cover just those openings, and I want just those panels to have the turned finish in them, one side will have the gauges physically mounted to the panel and then be screwed to the shell of the dash, the other side will be hinged and be the door for the glove box. The center of the dash will have the radio, which I am mounting in a chrome bezel from a '69 F100 that recesses the radio back and puts it on a slight angle, and the switches for the electric fans will be below the radio. I am using Maverick headlight and windshield wiper switches with '66 Mustang chrome knobs on them, which will be mounted to the left of the gauges.

 

now I see, sorry for the confusion

 

Engine turned.
Like on a T/As dash or a firetrucks...well, everything that isn't red.

 

here ya go,......you can buy it here , or do it yourself with a drill press.

http://www.fpmmetals.com/

 

Yea, I saw that. I'm going to get a quote from them for a piece of stainless, not cheap I'm sure. Seems like it would be a major PITA to do it myself, I'd go with the decals before that.

 

how big of a piece are you looking for? I think I still have a price sheet