Pulled the dash out to redo

davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
in Rinker Express Cruisers Forum
Pandemic project 5 or 6. At this point i lost track.  I am pulling the dash out to make some modifications and paint. I know i am going darker but not sure whether im doing paint or gelcoat. 
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    You and I think on the same wavelength.  If that doesn't worry you, it should.   :)
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like you opened pandoras box to me...
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    @LaRea that is high praise i aspire to your level of OCD...i mean workmanship and attention to detail. @rasbury i think it looks worse than it is really. I labeled all wires and switches and then taped them in groups. The only thing i wish did was take a pic of the throttle cable connections before i disconnected them. 
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    What holds the helm panel in place?  I see two screws at the bottom.  More screws at the top?

    Also, did you find a ground bus in that tangle of wires?  In my helm, I found a 12-volt bus wrapped in electrical tape and hanging loose in the tangle.  I never found a ground bus.  
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,462 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is awesome.  The throttle/shift cables aren't too difficult to trace.  Just disconnect them one by one at the engine and give a pull.  Honestly, if you haven't done so recently, I would replace them.  Easy to do and a huge difference.  Also not too expensive in boat terms - I picked up replacement Xtreme cables on Amazon for around $200 for 4.
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    It is held on by three screws up top and three bolts on the bottom. Only two came out cleanly though. I am going to have to install something like a jack nut or hollow wall fitting when i put it back together. Even without the screws it wasnt going anywhere. It has caulk (4200?) all the way around you have to carefully peal away. I used several wide pry bars and knives to break the seal. I was surprised that it was lighter than i was expecting. It will take two though to set it in place and not scratch it. 
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    Oh. No ground bus either.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    What caused the black area in the last picture.
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    @Grahamu it was yours truly and a can of black spray paint.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    When you installed the 2 Garmin screens where the gauges would be normally did you post any details. Thinking of using 1 or 2 tablets but keeping the gauges. 
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    I did a post on it. Not a lot of detail on the two screen layout but my goal was to get rid of the guages. To be honest there just isnt a lot of real estate there. What i did was to cut out a cardboard template of the area then downloaded pdfs of the various mounting templates. It really took laying out mockups for me to make up my mind.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,946 mod
    Can't wait to see the before and after pics.  Looks like a great project! Maybe an idea is to add some snaps for a cover to keep it all nice and protected from UV.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    @Dream_Inn i have been thinking about doing that. I wouldnt need snaps though. Most of the time i have the mooring cover on.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    I asked about the ground bus because this was the 12V bus hanging loose in my helm.  One wire in, four wires out and a wad of tape. 


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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,462 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Mine was the same mess; I have both a negative and positive bus at the helm.
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • RiverRat232RiverRat232 Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    I am considering a redo of my helm by covering up the woodgrain with a faux carbon fiber wrap and changing the steering wheel. When done correctly it looks very nice.

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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    @RiverRat232 i did a wrap on several dash pieces a few years ago. It looked great but didnt hold up. Wraps are great on large flat surfaces but some of the edges on a dash as well as screw holes are troublesome.  I would just get a sheet of carbon fiber and cut out a new one. 
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,705 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Any update on your progress of the dash?
    1997 Bayliner 3988
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    It is supposed to be fully primed tomorrow to give me a sand this weekend.  I wish it was going faster but i am at the mercy of someone else so i am doing my best to be patient.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    I got it back on Sat and by Sun evening i had a mostly functioning boat. Still have a few items to replace but i am pretty happy. Not 100% happy with the color but it looks ok. He forgot to paint the door i made for the glove box so still have that to install. Have to order a new trim tab switch and fire suppression indicator. 
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,705 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks great and if you need it you still have a good spot for expansion on the area to the left you closed in 👍
    1997 Bayliner 3988
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    Wow, that looks like a boatbuilder's promo photos.  Nice work.
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    @Aqua_Aura the plan is to put a wired stereo remote there after i save a few $$$.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • Aqua_AuraAqua_Aura Member Posts: 2,705 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes perfect location!!!
    1997 Bayliner 3988
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice work!
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,946 mod
    Looks great!  Time to enjoy!  Gonna be a hot one this weekend.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow, came out really nice!!
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,462 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks great @davidbrooks!
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • mattiemattie Member Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭✭
    Gonna add some bucks at resale. Nothing dates a boat more than the dash.

    Love the new Garmin covers. Cool looking....subtle.
    246BR, 276BR, H310BR current
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  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,615 admin
    Awesome job looks great
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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