Who Does Custom Panel Work?
 

Can anyone here recommend a person and/or shop anywhere in the US that could help me accomplish this task? (I'm in Chicago, for reference.)

I want to make use of this useless (for me) cubby hole, and so I want to fill that area in to make a flat surface onto which I intend to mount some auxiliary switches. I could do it myself, but considering it's a rather small job that shouldn't cost an arm and a leg, I would rather pay someone to do it cleanly, and integrate it with the sloped areas surrounding the aux input ports (left in this photo, but right on my car, as mine is LHD). I basically want it to look OEM.

Anyone have suggestions? I could mount a piece of plastic in there and fuse it, and then bondo the shit out of everything and I'm sure it would look "okay" but I know there are people who could do a MUCH better job than I ever could of matching the various slopes and such. I'm OCD as fuck, so I'm looking for perfection.

http://cdn.mkimg.carview.co.jp/minka...t=3dc311d5fddc

Sounds like a perfect job for a 3D printer, which I have access to only occasionally.

You could make something pretty cool especially if you're planning on mounting some switches. If you're able to design it at home (which isn't as bad as it sounds), there are usually local design/fabrication/art workshops that will print things for you.

- Andrew

You aren't the first person to suggest a 3D printed insert! In fact, I had considered that myself, but I feel as though it would take a lot of trial and error before the part would fit very nicely, and even then it probably wouldn't look as clean as I'm shooting for. I *really* like the idea of reworking the panel to make it seamless.

However, I've also got an email out to the people at Sweidit to inquire about the possibility of having the part wrapped in Alcantara, in which case I could get away with something less-than-perfect... but I need to know if they can even do it because the raised area for the Start/Stop button might present some problems. I'm hoping they would be able to do it, even if it means stitching several pieces together to fit that shape. If so, then I might consider a 3D printed part, or just a "home-made" insert along with a little filler.

It should be cheap enough that a little trial and error wouldn't be the end of the world. But could take a bit of time which is annoying.

Also if you get someone to make a 1 piece alcantara dash panel with a standard double din stereo opening I'll buy you lunch AND a beer.

- Andrew

Lol, you must be talking about more than just the radio bezel and the passenger trim piece, because that stuff has existed for years :P

You talking about something that includes those, AND the vertical console segments too?

This but with a double din opening instead of the slightly too wide Subaru opening:

http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/medi...-06616-1_1.jpg

- Andrew

Ohhh. I gotcha. I'll inquire when I speak to him about the Alcantara for this part :)

Thank you very much. (and sorry for hijacking your thread!)

- Andrew

Versus does a lot of 3D printing prototypes. They may be able to accomplish this for the community!

Not sure if you found anyone yet but id be happy to help you out. Ive done a lot of custom fab work like that for car audio things. Are you looking to just cover the cubby hole with a flat panel or extend it into the aux part? I could probably make a small piece of carbon fiber too and mount it in there for the switches. PM me if you want to work something out.