Aftermarket Navigation bezel build
 

So I got the idea for the build from "Rons better late than never journal" great install and inspired me to do it myself. The only problem that I had with the build was fixing the hole that's left from cutting out the factory button controls. At the end of Rons build he used the carbon signal bezel that they came out with, that fixed his problem of covering his hole. Carbonsignal had a limited production of those bezels so I had to figure out how to cover the hole and do it to look as factory as possible. So here's how I went about it:

Here's a image of what the hole looks like:

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I started by mocking up the design I wanted using cardboard. The first image was my first attempt but I thought it didn't really work with the rest of the car styling it just had to sharp of a edge. Then I stole the design from carbon signal and used there design which is in the second picture.

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The next step I did was went to lowes and bought some buckets with plastic covers sorry I don't have any photos but I can pull up my receipt if anyone really wants to know what I used just pm me. So I used the plastic covers and cut out the shape to match the cardboard design I made. Then taped it in the dash where I need it to be covered and glued it with plastic weld apoxy.

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So after I did that it started body working the panel using some body filler and block sanding it.

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Then continued with body work adding glazing putty and some primer then went back and sanded it again and then adding the details in and perfecting it.

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The next step was to add the final coat of primary

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The next step I had to do was get the right paint so the hardware store I work at we have a spectrometer which is used in matching paint colors and It was basically dead on but I had issues at first cause I got the wrong sheen I later corrected it after I realized I screwed up. So here's the paint I used it's California brand

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just make sure the finish is FLAT NOT EGGSHELL

Then used a paint gun and painted the panel

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So this is where I'm at with the build. I still have to do another coat of paint and fix small imperfections. Also I'm curious what your guy's thoughts are if I should paint the curved part of the panel to match the plastic radio bezel color. I've been thinking about doing that but not sure if I should just leave it the way it is.

Here's one more photo of it:

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So any question feel free to pm me and I'll keep you updated as I continue it.

Great job. Thanks for sharing.

Came out so-fresh'n-so-clean-clean.

Thanks guys

Awesome job! I am literally working on the exact same project. Just waiting for my parts to show up. I got sheets of abs plastic and am filling the gap. Figured it would give me space for a gauge or EDFC in the future


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Thanks ya I had used like a polypropylene plastic I had some extra abs plastic but it was to thick and not really plyable. Ya I'm hoping to have a digtal boost gauge setup on the screen but I gotta to save for the turbos first.

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So the paint wasn't a exact match when I took the first photo it was at night. It matches when it's not directly in the sun light. But it seems that the sheens still a bit off I'm still looking for a color that will match if anyone has any advice feel free to help out.

Very nice work 370zNRG.

you should repaint the nav bezel, insert and the radio bezel together so it matches.

Thank you

Ya I was considering painting it all one color but I'd like to keep the oem color I'm just afraid if I paint it and don't like it there's no going back to that stock color. I appreciate the help still trying to find a match tried a couple different Nissan interior color matching paints but none of them worked. I might just vinyl wrap them so if I want I can go back to the factory color

So I stepped away from trying to match the paint and looked into doing something with the hole and I realized that the car doesn't have a specific spot for sunglasses so I though I'd make holder for them.

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So I made a box out of wood

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Mocked up some sides to cover the gaps

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Cut them out of plastic

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Glued them in place

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So now I'm gonna use some body filler to fill the gap between the plastic and wood. Smooth that out then wrap the whole price with some suede or felt.
Also gonna cut those clips that are sticking up off of the trim piece

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Just received a parts for my project. Waiting for one more on Thursday's and I'll be ready to go... I have a few different ideas in mind



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Brilliant idea.

Thanks I've been on vacation but I'll be back at it soon to finish it up.