mwilkinson Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I want to modify a UK spec dash panel to work with a facelift dash. Primarily as I want to use a factory fog light switch. So either way, I will either need to cut the switch housing from the UK panel and retrofit it to the facelift panel or modify the UK panel with the facelift binnacle mounting. I've been looking at glues suitable for PPE+PS plastic, which is what the panels are made from. I've been looking on the Internet but it's hard work trying to get a definitive answer as to what glue would be suitable. I have read about people in the past repairing clips on dash panels and wonder if anyone has used a glue that has lasted and provided a durable bond? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattdavies Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 You could plastic weld it ? If you tube it there are a number of videos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Can't you just wire in your rear fog to work with the front fogs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 You could plastic weld it ? If you tube it there are a number of videos I'll have a look into it. Can't you just wire in your rear fog to work with the front fogs? I'd rather keep the two separate and have a factory rear fog light switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I'm in the same position, as I ordered torque gt not to fit my rear fog switch to the dash panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 I've had a look at the plastic welding kits. Probably going to buy this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWERTEC-92418-PLASTIC-WELDING-TOOL-KIT-WELD-REPAIR-BROKEN-PLASTIC-PARTS-/111490668121?hash=item19f55c9659:g:g~cAAOSwEetWATYp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 I've had a look at the plastic welding kits. Probably going to buy this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWERTEC-92418-PLASTIC-WELDING-TOOL-KIT-WELD-REPAIR-BROKEN-PLASTIC-PARTS-/111490668121?hash=item19f55c9659:g:g~cAAOSwEetWATYp I'm also going to have a new warning light panel made up to include a rear fog light symbol. I did this on my last car, but the whole conversion was so much easier as it was a pre facelift so the new UK spec panel I bought was a direct fit and colour match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Wouldn't it be a lot easier to cut a hole in the facelift dash panel (on the back of the panel there are moulding marks where the hole should be) then use something like hot melt glue on the back of the panel to secure the switch in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evinX Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Wouldn't it be a lot easier to cut a hole in the facelift dash panel (on the back of the panel there are moulding marks where the hole should be) then use something like hot melt glue on the back of the panel to secure the switch in place. This, a dremel with do it, measure twice and cut once. The US owners are doing this same thing to fit fog switches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 This, a dremel with do it, measure twice and cut once. The US owners are doing this same thing to fit fog switches Have you got any links? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evinX Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Have you got any links? I saw one the other day. Saw the rear of the panel then fitted on a lhd. Think it was stu hagens build on supraforums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Wouldn't it be a lot easier to cut a hole in the facelift dash panel (on the back of the panel there are moulding marks where the hole should be) then use something like hot melt glue on the back of the panel to secure the switch in place. Quite probably Nic. But I don't like the idea of having the switch stuck to the panel. I want the work to look like it came out of the factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mk4Gaz Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hot glue won't be suitable. If the car is left in the sun, the glue will go soft, and it'll make a right mess! Ask me how I know You could stick a couple of small plastic blocks to the area with sikaflex or similar, then pilot drill the screw holes and use small self tappers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 I've found a chemical glue that should work, in conjunction with a bit of plastic welding. I'm going to cut and overlap the panels to improve the strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 Are you going to photograph the process from start to finish? This sound an interesting project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted November 7, 2015 Author Share Posted November 7, 2015 Are you going to photograph the process from start to finish? This sound an interesting project I'll see what I can do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Any updates on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Not at the moment. Just moving house at the minute which is slowly killing me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 OK so I've been looking at doing this for over a year now. I can confirm I think I've successfully merged a UK Spec panel and Facelift panel. I wanted to have a facelift panel with at least two factory buttons. One for the power fold mirrors and the other for a factory fog lights switch. In order to achieve this I've had to cut a section from a facelift panel and merge it with a UK spec panel. This is because the binnacle fixings are different. I was struggling with glues to use and can confirm that none are very good the plastic is a real PITA. Not even plastic welding works as the plastic just burns off. In the end I ended up using Gorilla glue two part epoxy. I don't have images of the whole process as it was fiddly and generally frustrating. Here are some images of the panels used and what was cut out. In order for the joint to work the overlapping parts were sanded back to half the thickness of the panel and glues. The joints were pressed firmly together. The epoxy filled most of the gaps but the remainder was filled with a two part putty called Milliput. This is the back of the bonded panel. You may note that I did not disturb any of the mounting pins on the UK Spec panel. I was concerned this would cause too much stress on the combined panels. It seems it was a wise choice. Here are some images of the panel after initial sanding. The final test of course was ensuring that the panel actually fit. So here are some photographs of a genuine facelift dash panel in situ vs my modified panel. I'm quite happy with the result thus far. I've still yet to sand back the remainder of the panel and prime it. I'm quite happy that it will work, but it will still need a good deal of finishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Been waiting for an update on this for ages. Fantastic work, looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Thanks for the praise. It's been a challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I bet, looks very tidy though. Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animato Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Impressive work, well done ! I have been looking for the same result idea as well in order to fit the fog light switch in a neater way... The facelift panel you got has 3 openings instead of the regular 1 opening -> What would be the 3rd opening used for ? Did you get it this facelift panel from Japan, or from somewhere else ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 Impressive work, well done ! I have been looking for the same result idea as well in order to fit the fog light switch in a neater way... The facelift panel you got has 3 openings instead of the regular 1 opening -> What would be the 3rd opening used for ? Did you get it this facelift panel from Japan, or from somewhere else ? The panel with the 3 openings is a UK spec panel. The facelift car only ever came with a single opening. This is why I have had to cut the two panels and make a bespoke one. On the UK Spec the ipenings contained the rear fog light, headlight adjustment and headlight washers. I'm only going to use two (power mirrors and rear fog light), so I could totally fill one of the holes, or I have a factory blanking plate I could use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evinX Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Bloody good work, top marks. If your anything like me, finding the correct glue was worse than doing the actual job! Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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