How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62?

[62ShortStep]

I have this '62 that was generally restored several years ago and I'm working on making it as stock as possible. The dash is painted and looks pretty good. Unfortunately the guy cut the radio panel to install his cheap-o radio and it looks like #$^%$&.

I want to put the original radio back, but I don't want to launch into a major project for the dash (I'll do it right at some point in the future). I have two thoughts on how to fix it for now:

1) I could buy a radio patch panel and cut it to end up with a piece that covers the entire radio recess of the existing panel. It makes life easy to create the radio cut outs, but it would be tough to exactly match the existing panel without showing gap lines. Painting it would be a problem also because I'm not sure I could exactly match the existing paint, or I would have to paint it contrasting white.

2) I could make some flat sheet metal pieces that cover the cut-up sections. They would probably have to be painted white.

These are my ideas at this point, but I hope there are better alternatives out there. Has anyone been able fit a correct radio back into a cut-up panel without doing a complete weld and repaint?

[Martin64]

A factory "radio delete" plate will cover the whole thing and look stock for a truck that didn't come with a radio. Easy to paint and easy to install and will look great until you decide to do something more permanent.

[62ShortStep]

I tried a delete plate but two screw holes show just outside the left and right edges of the plate.

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

Just put 2 chrome head screws into the holes for now.......................Hemmit

[ConnDemned]

There is a radio, heater, ash tray, dash repair panel. Might even find one in the parts board. Or weld up the two holes and use the delete plate.
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[willyp]

not sure how bad your dash got hacked up, mine was cut for the same reason and when i installed the OE am radio i found at a junk yard i had 1/8 to 1/4 gaps around the face. i made a small trim piece out of some sheet metal.

[Dan in Pasadena]

WillyP, that looks excellent. What color is you truck/dash?
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[nachodog2]

ConnDemned is right. You can fix it with a replacement panel as long as ur welding is up to par. If not the surround is not a bad idea.
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[62ShortStep]

WillyP, your fix looks great! My cut-up section goes all the way into the knobs. Ugh.

Patch panels are still out for now since I'm not welding on a really good dash (except for that blink'n radio section).

If all else fails, a small flat patch plate put under a delete plate may work...