Restoration of bespoke interior automotive components
At Graphite Additive Manufacturing, we worked with Sylv’s Engineering to produce a set of 3D printed interior dashboard components for a vehicle restoration and upgrade project. These parts were manufactured using Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) PA12 and finished with vapor smoothing to achieve a clean, durable, near-OEM appearance suitable for a high-visibility automotive interior.
The Challenge
Low-volume production of discontinued interior parts
Interior trim and dashboard components can be difficult to replace, particularly for older or specialist vehicles where original parts are no longer available. These can also get damaged, or become unsuitable for custom layouts. For this project, Sylv’s Engineering required components that fit the vehicle correctly and also matched the cabin design once installed.
For visible interior components, appearance matters just as much as function. The parts needed to deliver:
- Accurate fitment within the dashboard and centre console
- Good dimensional stability
- High-quality surface finish suitable for automotive interiors
- Strength and durability for regular handling and use
- Colour stability with no noticeable fading over time
- Heat resistance and capability to withstand high interior temperatures on hot, sunny days
The Solution
3D printed custom replacement components using MJF technology
Using MJF technology, we produced the required parts in PA12, a material well suited to functional end-use components. Besides its excellent balance of strength, PA12 offers toughness, dimensional accuracy, and thermal stability, making it a strong choice for automotive interior applications.
After printing, the parts underwent vapor smoothing – the post-processing method that significantly improves the surface quality. By reducing the typical powder-bed texture, it gives the components a much more refined look and feel. For interior trim parts, this is especially valuable, as it helps the finished product blend naturally with surrounding OEM panels and controls.
Why MJF PA12 was the right fit
For this project, MJF PA12 offered several key advantages:
- Strong and durable parts suitable for real-world automotive use
- Excellent detail reproduction for complex dashboard geometry
- Consistent accuracy for reliable installation
- A production-ready material for functional end-use parts
- Compatibility with vapor smoothing for an improved cosmetic finish
The result was a set of components that combine functional performance with an enhanced surface finish suitable for high-visibility interior applications.
The Finished Result
Reduced tooling costs, faster iterations, lightweight functional parts
Once installed, the components sit neatly within the vehicle interior and complement the surrounding dashboard layout. The vapor smoothed finish helps elevate the overall look, giving the parts a more integrated and professional appearance.
Overall this project is a strong demonstration of how additive manufacturing can support restoration, customisation, and low-volume production in the automotive sector.
Where traditional manufacturing methods may be too costly or impractical for niche components, 3D printing enables high-quality parts to be produced efficiently and with greater design freedom.
Working with Sylv’s Engineering Team
Sylv’s Engineering specialises in bespoke solutions for automotive applications, and this collaboration demonstrates what can be achieved when thoughtful design is combined with the right manufacturing process.
For customers interested in purchasing these parts, or developing similar custom components, Sylv’s Engineering can design parts tailored to specific requirements.
You can follow and connect with Sylv’s Engineering here:
Why Graphite Additive Manufacturing
Working with Graphite Additive Manufacturing has been fantastic. The dashboard components produced in MJF PA12 were dimensionally spot on, and the vapor smoothing gave them a clean, OEM‑grade appearance. These are visible interior parts, so the finish matters, and the produced parts have genuinely transformed the vehicle’s interior. It was a collaborative process from start to finish, making it easy to refine the designs and achieve exactly what the project needed. This level of quality allows us to offer our customers restoration and customisation options that simply weren’t possible before.
Sylvain Rubio, Sylv’s Engineering
At Graphite Additive Manufacturing, we specialise in high-performance 3D printing services, helping bring specialist and low-volume components to life using industrial additive manufacturing processes and tailored finishing options.
Whether the requirement is for restoration parts, custom interior components, or functional end-use automotive products, MJF PA12 combined with vapor smoothing finish can be an excellent route to a durable, high-quality solution.
To learn more, visit our website:
