New Pics: Navi/Dash Installed (see last pics)

Let me know your thoughts on the texture spray finish...
Also interested in other opinions on how to make a mold closer to final shape before glassing

Before shot... I will mount the LCD right in between the cup holders and the small change pocket below the climate controls... Can you see it??


Relocated the cup holders to have more room


Make a template using cardboard. It's quick and easy. see it yet?


Lay down ripped pieces of glass mat in place to make sure dash piece has proper fit in the truck.


Take out of truck, trim excess fiberglass, sand...


More fiberglass... Beef it up.


Build up material for sanding/shaping. See this method isn't the normal way to get a final shape. Usually more time is spent on the mold then glass and fill minor imperfections with bondo... I used bondo to to make up for lack of mold and used glass mainly for structure. It wont chip if mixed right, but I spent a LONG time sanding.


I sanded surfaces flat and completed the shape...




Here is the SEM texture spray after I lightly sanded down the peaks flat with 400grit


After texture is complete, final task is to spray color coat (satin black)


I tried to get some close up's to show how it came out...











I post installed pics shortly...

UPDATE: Installed

Still need to run wires, but it was rigged to confirm it works







Critics, comments welcome If this gives anyone ideas...

Modified by turbosi03 at 2:10 AM 2/14/2007


Modified by turbosi03 at 2:12 AM 2/14/2007


Modified by turbosi03 at 9:50 PM 2/18/2007


Modified by turbosi03 at 9:53 PM 2/18/2007


Modified by turbosi03 at 9:54 PM 2/18/2007

 

Very nice, how did you apply the paint an texture coating. Which went on first ?

Good job, looks oem

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RCautoworks &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very nice, how did you apply the paint an texture coating. Which went on first ?

Good job, looks oem</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks! I changed the wording, but you can see the pic where I sanded the texture peaks before the color coat... applied with spray can

 

damn looks good, did the cardboard get removed?

 

Sickness! It looks like it should belong there!

 

looks great, i recently did a similar project with a boost gauge and a steering column. Did you use any additional product other than bondo to smooth out the imperfections? That was the largest challenge for me, after bondo there was still little pinholes...

I wish i had used that paint, it looks awesome & looks to hide imperfections

 

not really into the fiberglass thing m'self, but I'm impressed.

 

jesus!

that looks very professional. considerably better than half the crap you see on car shows where they do custom install. im very impressed.

 

what did you use for sanding? i'm assuming it wasn't done by hand (unless you have a nice sanding block). I'm thinking about making a little peice in my 350z that will replace the coin tray with an ipod holder. Seeing your's turn out so good makes me think this won't be too tough. I like the texture effect!

 

looks great!

is this something you do for a living? if not you should.

as for the texture, it is hard to compare through pics, but if it feels and looks the same as oem (which to me it looks good) them i would stick with it.

 

wow... fabrication is really appreciated in this forum

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dr.NAPIER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn looks good, did the cardboard get removed?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I could have taken it out, but just left it in there.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chronicsinners &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Did you use any additional product other than bondo to smooth out the imperfections? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, I used putty which uses the same red hardner as bondo and it's a lot smoother. It took some time, but I got out all the imperfections before texture and paint. I wouldn't rely on texture or any finish to hide imperfections. I decided not to wet sand though, the texture spray probably would cover any pin holes.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andy R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what did you use for sanding? i'm assuming it wasn't done by hand (unless you have a nice sanding block). </TD></TR></TABLE>


Actually it was all sanded by hand except the inital triming of the piece when I first pulled it out of the truck (dremal and belt sander).

Go for it! To get the surfaces flat and smooth you need to use some kind of sanding block. I made my own tools for sanding, basically took a piece of weather stripping or something that flat and stiff but a little flexable, then use sticky sided sand paper to have a nice flat surface that will curve with the contor of your piece.

I'll post pics later tonight of the sanding tools I used.

Thanks for all the comments! I do car audio installs for a hobbie/side cash, and my style has always been simple clean, not like the usual car show stuff.
I haven't done too many projects like this lately since a few years ago I got bit by the bug (boost) .

 

Wow, a true DIY fab. That is awesome!
Maybe you already posted this, but what is the estimated time put into this project?

 

That's hot! Great work

 

I don't think I could have did a better job lol!! Great work man

 

Looks great!

 

Thats great man, looks stock.

 

The finish on it is exactly like OEM... Nice nice

 

awsome work! The whole part i hate with doing jobs like that is the using the filler. I am not a fan of the dust or sanding as i much rather breath in welding fumes!

 

amazing, looks factory. I might have to steal your techniques, my brother has been wanting to build a new center console for his truck.

 

that looks really clean man

 

Very nice!
That textured finish really looks OEM.

 

Where did you buy the materials? In particular that putty?

Not to steal your thunder but i followed a similar tutorial and was able to produce this steering column gauge pod:


IF this pic need to be resized let me know and i will do so.

 

Very nice! so much better than what most smooth finish fiberglass jobs look like.

 

you are good!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arc_55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">awsome work! The whole part i hate with doing jobs like that is the using the filler. I am not a fan of the dust or sanding as i much rather breath in welding fumes! </TD></TR></TABLE>

I wish I took a pic of my car and garage after all the sanding, the place was covered in glass/bondo dust. I plan to get more into the welding fumes soon... I need to build my first welding cart, then play around with my civic again

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krustindumm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">amazing, looks factory. I might have to steal your techniques, my brother has been wanting to build a new center console for his truck.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Definately, thats what this thread is for

The texture spray is cheap, easy to use, and works great... I recommend the SEM products for any dash mods. I picked up the paint from Sherwin Williams after finding local dealers on the SEM website. (I should get a kickback from this co, lol)

Thanks for all the comments!