So now back to the starting point, yeah!

Sanding the mess off will not be a problem. I've done that many times lol

But what should I do about the pattern? Any suggestions?

 

I was all excited at this step...I thought that was the finished product! Looks great right there. Maybe a bigger piece and just wrap the whole thing?

I saw this at O'Hare airport in Chicago and it made me think of this project.

 

Thanks Dyno!

Actually, that picture of yours got me an idea: that foil bonds really well to the surface. So why not do the opposite and use a matte foil as the pattern itself - just like on your picture from that window? I hope I can try that out tonight...

 

All right, guys, this time it’s gonna work!

I cleaned the mess by wet sanding, respraying black (2x) and clear coat (1x) and wet sanding in between, all with 600 grit, up to 3000 grit. Looks as good as new.

Now for the tricky part. The nice guy who plotted me that first cutout did the same thing again, but this time he removed the grid instead of the squares. And he used a matte foil, in this case it was

ORACAL 751 High Performance Cast (www.orafol.com)

 

And bingo!

There it is, a shiny factory looking dimension precise checkered proudly homemade double DIN 85-92 Firebird radio face plate!

 

And mounted:

 

Great job. The finish came out amazing!

 

I hope it's scratch resistant, from what I can tell from wet sanding it definitely is! Took me an hour to get the first try completely cleaned...

Well I hope you enjoyed reading along as much as I did.

Thanks to everyone in the community who helped out! You guys really rock!!!

 

Thank you sir!

 

I'm gonna go ahead and update my first post with the new insights so everything important is right in one place.

 

All set and ready for a nice new head unit. I have my heart set on a Kenwood DNX8170DABS, it currently goes for > 1000 US$

http://www.kenwood.eu/car/navigation...n/DNX8170DABS/

but there's no money left!


Oh well, I hope I'll be able to afford it some time in the far future...

 

Fantastic! Can you take pics of oem and that side by side?

 

That really does look nice. Great work!

 

Well done. Great effort.

 

Sure! Right side is double DIN. In reality, it looks shinier and it's harder to tell which is the original. I'm quite happy with the results.

 

Thank you guys for all your support. Couldn't have done it without you!

 

Looks great, I might have to try this..

 

Looks great! a little gloss clear and it would be impossible to tell which is which without comparing the opening.

If I hadn't decided to go with vintage equipment to keep my car period correct, I'd be all over this. Decided to do a single DIN vintage Alpine cassette player and a 1/2 DIN vintage Alpine EQ

 

On the first prototype I used a glossy clear coat, but that was actually a little too much. It didn't match the stock velvety clear coat. When mounted the new one, I couldn't tell that it's not stock.

Do you have pictures of your setup?

 

If you do, post pictures, will ya?

 

Do you have the radio Double Din faceplate for the Camaro?

 

For the Camaro version see brettr81's excellent thread. 7thdarkangel made a fantastic 3D file for Camaros:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/car-...dio-bezel.html

 

Great work on the factory texture. I'm liking it. I got to mount my camaro dd radio to see where I had to cut the housing for clearance.

 

I don't suppose your friend would like to make a few bucks selling these would he?

 

I think that would be no problem, I'll ask him. But won't it be easier to get it cut by someone nearby? I added the svg file in the first post.

 

Looking good! Thanks for posting up!
Did you have trouble about the clearance?

 

It might be. But if he's already figured out the pattern, ave the material, etc., it just takes some of the guess work out of it for me. I don't want to sound unadventurous, but I like a proven solution.

I have a good 1.5 DIN CD player with MP3 jack for now. But it won't last forever, and I'd like to have a few of these tucked away as a plan B for the future.

 

Makes sense. I'll check with him and tell you about the cost.

Are there other TGO members who want a foil like that? Or even a completed 3D printed and textured unit? In that case I'd get a bunch. You'd just have to keep in mind the shipping costs from Switzerland, which are couple of US$ for the foil but probably around 20 US$ for a complete bezel.

 

I'm in for either.

 

Great job on creating an excellent reproduction! I am just at this point with my stereo install, which is a very minor part of the overall build. I would definitely be in for two copies of the printed and textured model. I had a few other ideas planned but this would save me al it of time. Thanks for all your diligence in the design. Awesome job!

 

I would be interested in the printed grid, or a complete bezel..

 

Ok guys, I'll be getting a quote on Monday, gonna tell you about the costs then.

 

Nice job Cehbra!!! That looks awesome!!!

 

Add me to the list of interested parties in regards to a completed bezel. I am ready to swap my pop-out unit for a double din!

 

Can't be that polished up to have the same gloss like the factory/console plastic?I see that when its installed the difference between the console is visible .Since it looks so damn amazing it can either be polished (if it works on plastic ,no idea never tried it) or made as a set with the console piece so both will be the same material thus problem would be solved.

 

Actually my first attempt on the prototype was a high gloss finish with a glossy clear coat (2 layers). That was almost too shiny for my taste, but nevertheless doable without polishing. I like the velvety finish more. But you're probably right, for a perfect stock match glossy would be a tad more precise.

 

All right fellas! Here's the deal, I calculated what it would cost me to make those bezels (3D printing, shipping, import charges from Shapeways in the Netherlands (Shapeways has the highest quality as far as I have experienced), materials and foil). Sadly it won't be too cheap, this is what it would cost you:

- just the foil: US$ 15 p.p plus shipping
- complete bezel: US$ 115 p.p. plus shipping

If you want one (or several) send me a pm and tell me the details:
- foil or complete bezel
- quantity
- analog or digital version (digital has a pattern with more squares)
- matte finish (like I did for mine) or glossy (more factory looking)
- address, so I can calculate shipping costs

Payment would be easiest via PayPal, but that doesn't really matter.

I don't have the 4 clamps that go on the 4 tabs on the back, you will have to re-use those from your old bezel.

Keep in mind that it will take several days to have the bezels printed, polished, sprayed and shipped to you. I will wait a few days and collect some orders, if I get a discount I'd pass that on.

 

I’ve been criticized by some of you guys concerning the high price for the bezels saying that US$ 115 is just too much.

Well let me explain this in detail: I use the best-suited material for this purpose which is nylon, it costs US$ 54.69 at Shapeways. The bezel will be shipped from the Netherlands costing me another US$ 9.50. Plus I pay a crazy US$ 28 at the house door when the package is delivered (customs and other taxes as Switzerland is not in the EU) - at least that was the case with the last two packages from Shapeways. Then I pay US$ 12 for the foil and I estimate US$ 5 for materials like sandpaper, coating, and other stuff.

All of that adds up to US$ 109. So I’m not really making that much of a profit really. If I mess up one of the delicate foils in the process I’m at a loss already. So I merely cover my costs - doing the work rather for free. I might have a little extra in the end if I get some discount for a bulk order, though.

However, I released all of my works, including the 3D files and the files to cut the foil to the public domain. It actually took quite many hours to design those things. So anyone who likes to be creative is free to recreate the bezel and get an even better result. All it takes is time, a little money and some elbow grease to get it done. The process is outlined in this thread.

For those who don’t want to spend the time and effort, I gladly offer to do it - not for profit, but because I like to make stuff, especially for fellow third-geners. My day job isn’t that artistic so I like to have a few creative hours now and then.

Cheers!

 

I really don't mind the price. Time isn't free.

I'll order one at the end of next week. Be in touch!

 

The reasons you stated is why I have never offered. Everyone wants everything for free. Anyways, Good luck with the sales!

 

I thought the price was very reasonable.
I am interested in the foil only. I'd prefer to get about 5-10 lumped into one shipment.

 

I saw the price, but then I saw your location. I figured that sounded about right when you figure in your cost for all the duties and fees.

Here's the thing, no one should complain about the cost, it's not like you kept the designs secret, or anything along that sort. You put in a lot of time and effort coming up with, documenting, posting, and giving access to everything.

You have done everyone with a bird a service and thank you. I'm still amazed at how well you got that to turn out.

Also, I enjoy your build thread as well. Looks like a nicer version of my car.... Ugh... I'm jealous...

 

Thanks for doing this. Price seems reasonable to me.

Don't know when or if I'll ever do this. So I'm interested in a couple of the foils for possible future use.

PM sent.

 

I've been following this, and you've done very nice work. You put a lot of effort into this, and you don't owe anything to anybody. Its price is what it is, and it's more than fair. You've also provided everyone with the info they need to do it themselves, which you did not have to do, so if they don't like the price, then there they go.

People need to keep in mind that Double D Mods charges $99 for an unattractive generic piece that takes months to receive, if ever, while yours is custom-designed with the "factory-finish," yet yours isn't much more expensive, and you could easily justify charging even more for it. Thanks for your efforts.

 

Amazing product, well done!!!

 

Thanks guys! I'm grateful for your support.

I'm going to wait a few days to collect some more orders, hope no one is in desperate need of the items.

 

I can order mine on Thursday of next week. I'll be getting (1) complete bezel w/ OE styled gloss.

 

PM sent.

Cheers!!

 

Still going to be doing these? I haven't heard back, sadly.

 

I tried several double din radio to find one that fit in better than the pioner I had. They all go so deep into the radio conpartment you end up having to cut up the housing. Then I found the mp5/bluetooth/touchscreen/no-dvd. No cutting required and fit nicely. Just had to file the opening a little