73 Karmann Ghia Project

Here is a conversation between Roger at EmblemPros and myself about hydrocoating.

Jim:  One other thing I’m doing that you might be able to help with is a wood grain dash.  I’m also making a fiberglass center console and custom door panels inserts.  I see you do hydrocoating.  When size pieces can you do?  Would it be possible to coat these four pieces with a wood grain look so they all match?  What’s the coat like on this process?  I know very little about it.

Roger:  I can do them.  Do you have pictures so I can see the size?

Jim:  No, they haven’t been made yet.  The dash is going to be about 5 x 48, console insert 7 x 36, doors 8 x 16.

Roger:  I will need to see the pictures to get an accurate price together.  These sizes you have listed we can handle easily.  These are large. Based upon the sizes maybe $500.00?

Jim:  Awesome, I was just curious on a ballpark price, as I know nothing of hydrocoating with the exception of liking the results.  I’m sure I’ll be doing something along these lines when the time comes.

Jim:  Are there any surfaces that take the process better than others.  For example, once I make these fiberglass pieces, what would be the optimal finish for you to work with?

Roger:  As smooth as possible.  That’s all I need.

Jim:  So,  600 grit sanded, ready to paint primer?

Roger:  That’s  good.  We still may need to apply our chemicals, and adhesive promoters to it.  Then we primer, sand, and paint.  The smoother it is, the better the results will be.

Jim:  Should I go higher than 600 then?

Roger:  No that’s fine.

EP does good work.  They have made the custom badging on the Camaro and I’ll probably have them make the badging for the Ghia.

This is what I’m looking at today.  What’s more classic and German than a nice wood grain dash.