I'm putting a screen into my dash and I need to make a faceplate to cover the outside of the screen.

The screen looks like this:


So when it goes into the dash it will look like this:


But that is ugly. So I'm going to make a faceplate that will cover up the silver part, something like this:


I was originally going to cut a piece of black plastic to fit this, but my Dremel skills aren't up to par. So I'm going to have a machine shop cut me a piece of aluminum (I think) to the exact size, which I will then paint black.

So my questions are...
1. Is there a better way to make this, keeping in mind I want the inside edges perfectly straight?
2. Should I get it made in aluminum?
3. How should I paint it? Just sand, and spraypaint?

 

Have the machine shop cut ABS plastic or Have the aluminum Anodized in black or grey or what ever. Paint might scratch but you could have a body shop paint it for you with some acrilic hardeener in it too help prevent the scratches.

Hope this helps.

 

you could take the screen apart and paint the trim...

 

I considered this, but some people have had various problems with the screen so I don't really want to void the warranty.

I'll ask them about cutting the ABS plastic... I think this would be the cleanest option. Is getting aluminum Anodized expensive?

 

Not to bad probably less than $20....but it has been a while since I have done this.