[C320-list] Pedestal gauge panel "refinish"

[Scott Westwood]

I am thinking along the lines of:
1. clean the surface. Making sure the lettering voids are all clear of anything.  Sand the surface if I have to (not the voids).  Very fine wet sandpaper if needed.2. (tricky/meticulous part)...fill the lettering voids with something I can remove later like cheap silicone or beeswax. Maybe spray/put non-stick like PAM into the voids first?  Making sure "only" the lettering voids are filled. 3. Paint (or ink) the panel surface the color I want (haven't decided color yet).4. pick out what is filling the lettering void.

What I am not sure of is... Is the intent of the lettering to let light through? (backlighted)???  Mine is fully painted so nothing gets through.

If no backlighting is intended then you could simply paint the lettering voids one color, then fill them with removable material, then paint the panel surface with another color.  Maybe simpler to just clean/paint entire thing one color.  Then use a hard ink roller to color over the panel.  This "should" allow the letter voids to be untouched and create the contrast....
This process would require meticulous details to look good but can be done.  Definitely a winter project that I would take my time on.  If results are worth it.  Can't be much worse than what I have now.  Looks sloppy.
Thanks,
Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185

      From: Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com>
 To: "C320-List at catalina320.com" <C320-List at catalina320.com> 
 Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 6:46 AM
 Subject: Re: [C320-list] Pedestal gauge panel "refinish"
   
We are planning the same project in the fall.  Very interested in hearing
approaches.  The panel is black plastic, so the engraved lettering is not
painted.  I suspect at the factory the panels are painted first, covered
with a protective paper, and then engraved so that the plastic shows
through and the protective paper removed to show the white surface.  Have
not yet figured out a good approach to painting the surface while leaving
the lettering unpainted.

Troy and Kim Dunn
Hull #514 s/v Wonky Dog
Tidewater Marina, Havre De Grace, MD

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net>
wrote:

> Before we spend "several" hundreds of dollars (based on web search) for a
> replacement pedestal gauge panel, has anybody "refinished" one?
> I have thoughts on how to do it but just asking what, if anything, others
> have done to spruce it up. PO has painted it and the paint is flaking
> etc... and it looks pretty bad.  Whole thing needs new rocker switch
> covers, etc...
> It is not worth hundreds of dollars for a replacement.  That is ridiculous.
> Thanks,
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net <javascript:;> H
> (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185
>