bavareze Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 I dislike how my switch panel looks, including the area around the engine controls. I figure replacing it is an involving process - remove all cables, replace, rig all cables etc. I learned that other people have that panel made of molded aluminum with rounded corners. That one can be polished and lettering reapplied. But mine is a piece of plastic and the backing aluminum piece seems sharp edged. What are my options? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 People are mostly replacing the aluminum sheet that makes up the three sections of the instrument panel... One of the coolest M20Cs just traded hands this week... it belonged to @gsxrpilot and was sold again... There are several pre-designed panels from Lasar or Hendricks... These can be updated as well... When it comes to designing panels, EAA hands out cad software to help... join EAA first... There are threads around here where people discuss their panel drawings... that is a great place to start... Then select the finish... then the graphics... There are infinitely many solutions... The aluminum is cheap... The project gets difficult because it is 3D... there is a lot going on behind the panel... Refreshing what you have is possible... expensive... and it looks like somebody else put a big decal on it... that is probably not original... Function over looks should be considered as well... Very often, people replace engine controls at the time of OH. They have been shown to not last forever... and their cost of failure can be enormous... PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBDiagMan Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 There used to be a poster on here that was located near Austin, Tx I think. He had the ability to engrave the overlay panel. Then simply clean and paint the portion underneath where the crack is. I was going to get one for my C before I injured my shoulder and had to sell it. I can’t remember his moniker. Gsxrpilot might remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLCarter Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 13 minutes ago, MBDiagMan said: There used to be a poster on here that was located near Austin, Tx I think. He had the ability to engrave the overlay panel. Then simply clean and paint the portion underneath where the crack is. I was going to get one for my C before I injured my shoulder and had to sell it. I can’t remember his moniker. Gsxrpilot might remember. Pretty sure that guy closed down his business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBDiagMan Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 That’s too bad. I understand that his overlays could make that part of the panel look like new. Also too bad if he were unable to move on to a better opportunity. He seemed like a good guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
47U Posted January 11, 2021 Report Share Posted January 11, 2021 15 hours ago, bavareze said: I dislike how my switch panel looks, including the area around the engine controls. I’m in the same boat. I think I took this image off MS... can’t remember who posted it. Any of the used parts places could probably provide. I entertained replacing the plastic overlay (with the sticker... mine looks much like yours) with one of the lower engraved panel subassemblies. However, I suspect the holes won’t be aligned. Someday (when I work up the initiative), my plan is to loosen all the circuit breakers and controls from the panel, pull the plastic off, clean up the aluminum underneath, debur the edges, brush paint some primer and flat black on it, reinstall/tighten up everything loosened, and make up new labels on my computer. The sticky back inkjet paper makes a pretty good looking label (better than a label maker). Someone posted pics of labels printed on transfer paper that look very professional, too. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t do this when my panel was tore apart a couple years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyechuck Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 I covered mine with vinyl wrap from a website called vivid vinyl. Used white on clear tape for labeling. Not fancy but functional. May need @carusoamto fix the gravity issue on the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyechuck Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 Note: this photo was taken before engine overhaul when new controls were installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 Gravity on..! -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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