[ewalberg]

Howdy folks. I'm not ordinarily a carbon fiber bit kinda guy, but i just saw a thread in the for sale area that has alerted me that there is a company in hong kong making a carbon fiber dash. It's not a cap, it's a replacement part for the whole front piece of the dash where the speakers go and where the windshield vents are. I'm getting really... really... REALLY sick of cleaning my windshield all the time since mine routinely sits outside. Any reason why this option would NOT solve the problem? Anybody heard of problems with this piece?

I don't know if this link will make it to the right page, but it should have the dash on it.

TW research development

It looks like Knucklehead at least used to be helping sell the stuff...




Off topic, Just as some side car porn, there is a few pics on page 12 of this thread attached and it has a car with all carbon rear end on it... i gotta say it looks awesome. The matte black painted cars looks plasticy to me, but this looks wicked.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f172/new-cf-parts-horizon-58937/index12.html

 

[Vishus_1]

I can happily report that my Sport 260's dash has not off-gassed or the windshield got a film on it in the last few months that I have owned it.

All of my other Exiges did however. So I would say it works - the downside is what to do about the potential of the dash yellowing/hazing from UV. I haven't quite figured that out yet.

 

[cd4age]

the downside is what to do about the potential of the dash yellowing/hazing from UV. I haven't quite figured that out yet.

If it hasn't been already u could have it clearcoated since clearcoats have UV protection, that might help slow the process.

 

[ewalberg]

I may have to pull the trigger on this. Cost is going up on them in the not too distant future as well.

I am so sick of cleaning my windshield and it looks like they do good workmanship... is the carbon dash somehow noisier than the stock padded one? i guess i could just throw some dynamat on the back side before installing anyway. Is the 260 carbon dash also matte? The TWRD is only sold as matte. I wonder why?

 

[cobrabyte]

I may have to pull the trigger on this. Cost is going up on them in the not too distant future as well.

I am so sick of cleaning my windshield and it looks like they do good workmanship... is the carbon dash somehow noisier than the stock padded one? i guess i could just throw some dynamat on the back side before installing anyway. Is the 260 carbon dash also matte? The TWRD is only sold as matte. I wonder why?

Glare? Guessing it's a liability issue.

 

[ACE51]

i wonder how much the lotus one $

 

[Vishus_1]

Yes the 260's is matte. As far as noise - well it is a different material and there are parts (like the curvature around vent openings) where I can see through the layer of cf - since it is hand laid it is porous. But yeah it does seem a little creakier (forgive the new word) than the 07 and earlier plastic. Overall my car doesn't have any sound insulation and I think that may be part of it.

I agree with Cobrabyte - I wouldn't want it to be glossy. It has enough reflection as it is. I can see the reflection of the cf pattern in the windshield at certain angles/light.

 

[ewalberg]

good question on the lotus part cost. I have no idea... i don't know the community well enough to know where to look other than a dealer. In that case another question would be if it's a drop in part or not for other vehicles?

Glare makes a lot of sense regarding it's matte finish. I think it's absurd how so many new cars these days have chrome trim rings around the insturment cluster. I find it totally agravating because lights reflect off them from street lights and other cars.

 

[MyFutureSelfnMe]

I don't see any prices

 

[knucklehead]

I don't see any prices

Here's a pic

 

[cobrabyte]

How much does the dash run? No prices on the site I could find.

 

[cokey]

yea never clear coat your dash... it will be horrible..

 

[Implosion]

I posted an update to cleaning/preventing outgassing in a more topical thread, but you might find interesting. Think of it as tiding you over until you get the carbo bits

 

[ewalberg]

You know i looked at the lotus website and they say there are no front speakers (Rear only) on the exige S260 so it's dash may not be an option... or at least not a swap in parts to say the least as i plan to keep my front speakers...

well you could clear coat it with UV protection and buff it to matte finish? If it's not what they already do. I think i read somewhere they (TWRD) have a UV protective coating on it.

Thanks for the link on what to do to manage with the outgassing on stock dashes.

 

[madden]

some resins already have some UV protection, you could also buy a matte clear with UV protectants ar just scuff up a regular UV clear with 1500-2000 grit.

 

[Vishus_1]

You know i looked at the lotus website and they say there are no front speakers (Rear only) on the exige S260 so it's dash may not be an option... or at least not a swap in parts to say the least as i plan to keep my front speakers...

well you could clear coat it with UV protection and buff it to matte finish? If it's not what they already do. I think i read somewhere they (TWRD) have a UV protective coating on it.

Thanks for the link on what to do to manage with the outgassing on stock dashes.

That's inaccurate. It was planned that the Sport 260 wouldn't have front speakers - but they do. European CUP 260's however - do not (which is what is actually pictured on the website).

 

[knucklehead]

How much does the dash run? No prices on the site I could find.

$640 Plus shipping, handling and taxes, But going up to $768 in a week or two.

*FYI this is a made by order part, a 50% deposit is required. Estimated time is three months to receive shipment to LA from HK.

 

[ewalberg]

FYI, I checked with the folks at Lotus Garage and there isn't even a part number yet for the Lotus Carbon Fiber dash top on the Exige S260, and had no idea on timing for availability, and they were hard pressed to imagine the lotus part being any cheaper than the TWRD part so i'm going for it.

No dash off-gassing here i come! Deposit in the mail today.

 

[esoteric]

I ordered the TWR CF dash and really, REALLY hope that it will get rid of some of my windshield film. I don't see how it can still be out-gassing four years later but nevertheless it is always foggy/filmy and it is friggin' annoying. Please TWR save the day!