390 EC complete restoration thread

JerryS said:
I am wondering about the aluminum dash. Is the printing on the dash painted on or is it decals that were placed on the aluminum? Your picture looks like the words are printed directly onto the material.
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Jerry...you took away the pics...
My dash was burgundy originally and I painted it in matt black. I do not know what product it is but I can say it’s not that much scratch resistant... The black matches perfectly the aluminum panels.
The aluminum has been painted with a clear varnish to protect it and, yes, the words are printed on a transparent self adhesive tape. The result is quite good. I already have a back-up copy of every label. Possibly you could paint the panel after applying the labels to protect them.
There is not back light, but I am thinking of some kind of side led lamp. I’ll keep you posted.
The switches are the original ones and I substituted the lamps with led as you can see in the pics (I have put black allen bolts now)


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Old Vet said:
Did I read this thread correctly? A single guy with a boat like that? Man....if that isn't a "chick magnet" I don't know what is. :grin:

Awesome job Pietro......that is a beautiful boat.:thumbsup:
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Thank you, and...yes single (let’s say “alone again, naturally”) :grin:

I’m missing my “crew” as we spend a lot of time on the boat together cruising the Med, but I also have to say that this project helped me a lot in starting a new life at 45...
 
I did find out today that an LED substitutes for whatever those original lights are with the clip retainers on them. PIA to get them out of the dash without damaging them – in the dumpster now that I know that an LED works fine.


I know a guy that owns a machine shop, so, I'm gonna try to get him to help me with the dash panels. It will take me a while to figure out exactly how I want the dash laid out and what switches, etc. that I am going to use. I am going to go with the aluminum and not worry about back lighting. I wonder though, did you consider stainless steel? Is that an option?


From the collision paint supplier, I got a spray paint made by SEM Products, Inc. It is for use on automotive plastics and vinyl. Main use is to coat automotive bumpers. I'm gonna go with a Charcoal to match the other gray's in the boat. It looks tough, but, I think that I can get the area taped to be able to spray paint it. The other issue is what color do I want to make the vinyl pieces that are on the dash. What do you think of the coloring for the vinyl pieces on the dash – darker gray to black, lighter, same – flaming orange?:huh:


I have stuck a picture up that shows the dash with the center panel removed. I used the fiberglass behind the panel that I removed as a test area for the charcoal paint that I got today.

We are off to California on Tuesday for a couple of weeks to do some full time loafing and wine tasting. Project will have to wait til return.

dashcharcoal002-1.jpg


BTW, my car is burgundy, but, they call it "Magnetic Red Metallic". Whatever!
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All that vinyl is a problem... If you go for the alu panels I would make it all black, but a matt black like the charcoal you tested, including the area underneath the windshield.

I thought of stainless steel, but I could not find any circles machined panel.

Did you find the aluminum? I bought it from a classic car spare parts supplier in UK :wink:

Have fun in California and enjoy the great wines they produce over there! :thumbsup:
 
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Nice 'Vette,Jerry :thumbsup: ...I'm personally in love with the current ZR-1 ...

That's my yellow car, but the British call it "Norfolk Mustard Metallic" :grin:

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Oh no, now he has brought a race car out of his toy box! :smt009
You never cease to amaze!

I have spent hours wandering around on the web trying to find something that I like. I did find the pattern shown below. Problem is that it is .025" thick, so it would have to have a backer material. I think that it might be workable.

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This is another one that I like:


Here is another one that I like (It has a phenolic backing):
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These all have a clear coat protective finish on them.
 
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Pietro: You want a ZR1? Here is chance to win a Lingenfelter enhanced ZR1. http://www.winthevettes.com/

Do you drive that mellow yellow hot rod on the street?
 
What happened to the Halon "Charged" light on the new panel?

Nice Lotus BTW. I have seen a few here but not the Exige. Like any exotic car in this country, the mandated speed limits make them a waste of money IMHO. Drove Amalfi years ago when I lived in Naples. What a rush!
 
dpmulvey said:
What happened to the Halon "Charged" light on the new panel?

Nice Lotus BTW. I have seen a few here but not the Exige. Like any exotic car in this country, the mandated speed limits make them a waste of money IMHO. Drove Amalfi years ago when I lived in Naples. What a rush!
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The Halon light has gone now as well as the relevant label. I got rid of the old system and put a new automatic extinguisher with manual override also.
You’re right about speed limits...it becoming difficult in Italy too and that’s why I often do track days... driving in Naples and along the Amalfi coast??? Well, that’s a totally different and challenging experience!!! :wow:
 
Pietro: Thanks for the link. The stuff that I was looking at is not workable.
I looked up the specs on your car. Quick, light with supercharged 4 banger. Fun car to drive, nice!
Years ago.......okay, eons ago when I lived in Calif., I had a '63 Porsche 356SC. That was a real fun car to drive.
My current car is more of a garage queen than anything. I prefer to drive my truck :smt009.
 
JerryS said:
Pietro: Thanks for the link. The stuff that I was looking at is not workable.
I looked up the specs on your car. Quick, light with supercharged 4 banger. Fun car to drive, nice!
Years ago.......okay, eons ago when I lived in Calif., I had a '63 Porsche 356SC. That was a real fun car to drive.
My current car is more of a garage queen than anything. I prefer to drive my truck :smt009.
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Jerry, I perform "remodels" on luxury buses and we use quite a bit of material from here... http://chemetalco.com/finishes.htm. If a backer is required, we use spray adhesive to laminate it to sheet aluminum and then make all our cuts with CNC. Some times it's easier to just use a regular router on the thinner material before you stick it to the backer. Hope this helps some.
 
I was just wondering what sort of material, or carpet, did you use on the walls, ceiling. Were about to buy carpet for ours and was wondering what alternatives there are out there. Thanks !!View attachment 11957
 
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Tmacias84 said:
I was just wondering what sort of material, or carpet, did you use on the walls, ceiling. Were about to buy carpet for ours and was wondering what alternatives there are out there. Thanks !!View attachment 11957
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The walls have been covered with a vinyl much similar to leather backed by a layer of thin foam and the ceiling is Sunbrella. The dinette couch and the guest berth/settee are leather.

Have fun with your restoration project!!! :thumbsup:
 
Thank you so much
 
Great products, Thank you
 
floriduramax1 said:
Jerry, I perform "remodels" on luxury buses and we use quite a bit of material from here... http://chemetalco.com/finishes.htm. If a backer is required, we use spray adhesive to laminate it to sheet aluminum and then make all our cuts with CNC. Some times it's easier to just use a regular router on the thinner material before you stick it to the backer. Hope this helps some.
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Thanks for the info. They have some really nice looking material.
 
Pietro,

Your boat looks incredible. I'm a new owner and this is my first post. You and everyone else here have given me the inspiration to tackle a cosmetic remodel of my 260 Express Cruiser.

So far I've removed all exterior teak for reconditioning over the winter. Next spring I'll remove the original "monkey carpet" headliner and orange floor carpeting and replace with something more modern. New cabin cushions and cockpit seating will also be added.

The photos and narratives from you and others here have been invaluable – thanks to all of you. I'll post photos of my remodel when underway.
 
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