DASH PANEL REHAB

TrentTrent Member Posts: 2 ✭
in Rinker Custom Projects
Greetings from Big Sky country!  Working on a rehab of my Captiva 272 and looking for ideas on how to resurface the dash and rocker switch panels.  I was thinking a simple vinyl wrap would work well but this will cover up the switch nomenclature imprinted on the bezel itself.  Short of replacing the existing switches with self illuminating ones, I haven't come up with a better idea.  It seems these panels will come up once in a blue moon!  I missed the last set in 2016....

Any ideas or successful project stories would be helpful.  Thanks!
· Share on Facebook

Comments

  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You can get new illuminated switch covers that are labeled on the switch. I think I paid about $6 a piece for them. If you can post a picture it may help a little for people's suggestions. 
    1997 Bayliner 3988
    · Share on Facebook
  • TrentTrent Member Posts: 2 ✭
    This panel set is in a little better shape than mine is.  I'm peeling and flaking pretty badly on the switch panel.  The upper gauge panel is in pretty good shape but I have never been a fan of the faux wood panel look! 
    · Share on Facebook
  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yeah those switches are different than mine. Not sure if they have covers for those with labels. You could remove it all and scuff and paint it. If the switches are really bad you could replace them with.....

     https://newwiremarine.com/marine-grade-switches/

    I already had the contura switches so you would have to buy the whole switch not just the cover. 
    1997 Bayliner 3988
    · Share on Facebook
  • lodemialodemia Member Posts: 11 ✭
    I just redid a 272 as well. I would look through every page of eBay every day until I found new one for both the switch and gauge panels. The switch panel was mislabeled as Bennington marine so...  score!  The only thing I had to do was repin the entire harness and replace the radio rocker with one that said blower. 


    · Share on Facebook
  • lodemialodemia Member Posts: 11 ✭
    If you want a switch panel, here’s one I saved in my eBay search. You will need completely new switches tho. https://www.ebay.com/itm/WOODGRAIN-BLANK-SWITCH-PANEL-23-5-8-X-6-MARINE-BOAT/192271310605
    · Share on Facebook
  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That's looks incredible,nice job!!!!
    1997 Bayliner 3988
    · Share on Facebook
  • lodemialodemia Member Posts: 11 ✭
    Thanks!  I plan on starting a complete build thread here at some point.  Need to take more pictures though.  
    · Share on Facebook
  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    I made a dash panel out of starboard and then covered it with shrink wrap a few years ago.  I don't recommend going that route.  It just didn't hold up.  A simple scratch would cause it to start to peel away.  Any area around screws didn't look good. If you can find a molded panel that allows you to setup your guages and switches then that is recommended. I am going a more custom route and getting rid of all my analog guages.  So i bought a panel of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XMQFX17/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I made a template out of cheaper MDF and then used it with a router to cut out the panel.  This winter i am going to modify the helm so that the panels are recessed to hide the edges.  I was pretty happy with the quality of the material.  Supposedly it is the same company that has been making molded panels for boat manufacturers.   
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
    · Share on Facebook
  • jasonlangdonjasonlangdon Member Posts: 3 ✭
    I have just recently purchased a Captiva 272 with the same dashboard as the photo above. the panel is completely faded so I cannot ready any of the labels nor switches. I would like to redo it myself but I am wondering if anyone has or can take a close up photo of all the switches so I know what to label the panel with? I have also been looking for replacements but have not found any yet on eBay or other sites. If anyone knows where I can get them I would greatly appreciate that as well. 
    · Share on Facebook
  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Greatlakesskipper.com may have some panels too
    · Share on Facebook
  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,702 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2021
    Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the boat. Depending on your switch style you may be able to replace the covers. 
    1997 Bayliner 3988
    · Share on Facebook
  • jasonlangdonjasonlangdon Member Posts: 3 ✭
    I have called them, they unfortunately do not. 
    · Share on Facebook
  • bella-vitabella-vita Member Posts: 411 ✭✭✭
    You can just change the switch covers. I got mine from https://rockerswitchpros.com/ 
    2002 Rinker FV 342
    · Share on Facebook
  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭✭
    New Wire Marine (https://newwiremarine.com/) -- which I believe is the same company as Rocker Switch Pros -- can also custom make a new panel to your specifications. You can order everything and DIY - or have them make you an entire panel with new switches and covers already installed. They have a lot of great informational videos and diagrams on the site.

    I ordered an entire new set of etched covers - https://newwiremarine.com/marine-grade-switches/illuminated-rocker-switches/etched-covers/ - and should get them tomorrow. Will let you know how they come out.
    · Share on Facebook
  • jasonlangdonjasonlangdon Member Posts: 3 ✭
    Thank you for the help, I will check those options out!
    · Share on Facebook
  • TonyG13TonyG13 Member Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭✭
    FedEx dropped these off today while I was at the boat. Will install on next visit.

    · Share on Facebook
  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,066 mod
    lodemia said:
    Thanks!  I plan on starting a complete build thread here at some point.  Need to take more pictures though.  
    @lodemia - time to come back and post your build thread!
    · Share on Facebook
  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    @LaRea I am sad you didnt get the rum dispenser one.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
    · Share on Facebook
  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,774 ✭✭✭✭✭
    davidbrooks said:
    @LaRea I am sad you didnt get the rum dispenser one.
    @javhav has the best liquor dispenser setup on his boat 😎.
    2008 330EC
    · Share on Facebook
  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow what a nice upgrade! 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

    · Share on Facebook
  • FormulabenFormulaben Confirm Email, Member Posts: 218 ✭✭✭
    aero3113 said:
    @javhav has the best liquor dispenser setup on his boat 😎.

    @javhav can you re-share?
    2006 Fiesta Vee 270
    · Share on Facebook
  • mattiemattie Member Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭✭
    @TonyG13

    That is excellent. Way easier to read.
    246BR, 276BR, H310BR current
    · Share on Facebook
  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,944 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did mine also..cheapest best upgrade you do!
    · Share on Facebook
  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,924 mod
    Those switches might be the next thing on my to do list!  They look sharp!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

    · Share on Facebook
Sign In or Register to comment.