I did some more searching around the internet. So far this is how it works.
1) make a mold. I'm going to start by throwing a styrofoam block up there and cutting/sanding it to shape. Then clay over the top to form the areas for gauges, the lip for the CB etc.
2) heat the plastic. Basically throw the plastic sheet into a frame and put it in the oven.
3) vacuum mold it. flat piece of metal with a hole for the shop vac tube, frame and then another flat sheet of metal with lots of holes in it. Put the mold on top of the holed surface. Plug the vacuum in and then put the melted plastic over the mold and suck it down.
4) Let it cool and clean it/paint it and install.
It seems pretty easy, but you know how that goes. So I ordered the plastic and I'll probably start on the mold today. Hopefully by the weekend I'll have something. I'll put up pictures if it works, or just come back and say I suck!