I want to apologize for not posting in quite some time. I have been busy with anything and everything that doesn’t involve working on my car. So thanks to those that still follow the blog. I finished up some fabrication for a customer over seas. It was my first time working with any of the ARK Designs products… they are pretty cool and have styling unlike anything else out there at the moment. So I removed the vents from the upper section of he HVAC panel and cut the center pillar out. I then adhered a backing plate that would be the home for the ARK products. I molded the plate into the surrounding opening of the HVAC panel to make it look like it belonged there. Once I had the contours correct and to my liking, I cut out the openings for the ARK pieces. This is always time-consuming because it needs to be almost perfect. I always rough cut with a die grinder to get it close then I use a combination of various files and various sandpaper grits to get them spot on. After that some texture coating and mounting the units in place. I only took a couple of progress pics as it really slows me down during the fabrication process:
Some final test fit action:
Finished product:
Thanks for posting this Toby, your work is an inspiration.
Thanks Tony!
Awesome work as usual Toby!
I have a question for ya, what do you recommend for restoring S13 blinker and wiper stalks? I’ve been able to restore most everything in my interior to a great finish following similar techniques that you use for restoration, however I’m not sure how to tackle those stalks. Mine are a very faded grey color and because of the markings I don’t want to just sand and paint them. Any suggestions besides just buying ones in better shape?
Lot of times they are just really dirty with grime. Use a safe cleaner and rub on them very well. If they still look dull then you can either use dash protectant on them every couple weeks to keep them looking black. Or you could remove them from the column, make sure they are perfectly clean and spray the stocks with a matte clear coat. If the white letters are fading then you would need to source new ones or better used ones.
[…] I ordered a Multi Function Dash (MFD), Advanced Boost Controller (ABC), and Rev Shift Timer (RST) from Ark Design USA (now closing up shop, unfortunately). I got them sent directly to Toby Broadfield, who specialises in custom interior work. I sent him my HVAC panel, with a brief to mount the three electronics, and make it look factory. He did an excellent job, and documented the whole process on his blog. You can read the build HERE. […]