Anybody molded a din panel under the radio?
11-05-2002, 04:04 PM
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Amityville, New York
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I cant tell you that unless you have worked with some fiberglass and body filler that it might be best left to someone who has done it. Especially when you factor in buying all you need to do it.
What color were you planning on making the panel? Staying with the black or did you want to change the color?
What color were you planning on making the panel? Staying with the black or did you want to change the color?
11-11-2002, 09:16 AM
#18
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You were talking about just molding in the gauge area and not the shifter surround as well right? With the right epoxy and some sanding,bodyfiller, primer and paint it can be done. Are you using the car now?
11-11-2002, 09:23 AM
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Frederick MD
Posts: 6,331
Yes, just around the gauge area...
Reason: If you clip it in place, it sits WAY back in there... Looks ghetto. I'd like a flush, clean appearance.
No, it's my weekend car... I can handle some downtime.
Can you possibly recommend some brands of material I should look for? ANd maybe a few pointers? I'm pretty handy... Just never done anything like this..
Thanks a bunch!
Reason: If you clip it in place, it sits WAY back in there... Looks ghetto. I'd like a flush, clean appearance.
No, it's my weekend car... I can handle some downtime.
Can you possibly recommend some brands of material I should look for? ANd maybe a few pointers? I'm pretty handy... Just never done anything like this..
Thanks a bunch!
11-11-2002, 10:05 AM
#20
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Amityville, New York
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I would say to ship it off to me if you want, minus the gauges and radio. By the time you buy the epoxy, bodyfiller, sandpapers,primers, and paint it will add up.
Unless you wanted to just spray can the thing in which case the primer/paint would only cost you about $10. But your bodywork and sanding better be excellent otherwise that **** is going to show right thru the paint, especially semi-gloss.
I use West System Epoxy, I only buy it in 1 gallon kits, I believe I pay like $70 for the kit, but you can get quart kits for like $35 or so.
They have different fillers you add to the epoxy to make a filler, almost like a paste. I would paste it from both sides to make sure the seam doesnt end up coming back on you.
Grind the seam a bit,sand around the edge with some 80 or 100 grit paper, put some tape on the other side and fill the seam with the epoxy being sure to get it all the way in the seam, use a spreader to do this and build it a bit higher so you can sand and fair it after. It will take the epoxy some time to dry depending on what hardner you use, and the temperature, just leave it overnight to be sure. Then do the same to the backside except you ddont have to build the backside up becuase you arent going to have to fair the backside.
When its dry sand and fair it, you can then use some bodyfiller to fill in any imperfections or low spots, I also make a bodyfiller out of the West System by using whats called "microballons", they are basically what they sound like and when mixed with the West, you get a excellent epoxy based fairing compound versus a polyester one.
You will have to sand the whole thing according to the primer you use, different primers can fill in different sanding, I have primers that fill in 80 grit sanding, and some that will barely fill in 320 grit. I use a epoxy primer as well. After you prime it you will get a idea if you need to touch up your body work or not. Correct any body work errors and re-prime then sand according to the paint you are going to use.
Unless you wanted to just spray can the thing in which case the primer/paint would only cost you about $10. But your bodywork and sanding better be excellent otherwise that **** is going to show right thru the paint, especially semi-gloss.
I use West System Epoxy, I only buy it in 1 gallon kits, I believe I pay like $70 for the kit, but you can get quart kits for like $35 or so.
They have different fillers you add to the epoxy to make a filler, almost like a paste. I would paste it from both sides to make sure the seam doesnt end up coming back on you.
Grind the seam a bit,sand around the edge with some 80 or 100 grit paper, put some tape on the other side and fill the seam with the epoxy being sure to get it all the way in the seam, use a spreader to do this and build it a bit higher so you can sand and fair it after. It will take the epoxy some time to dry depending on what hardner you use, and the temperature, just leave it overnight to be sure. Then do the same to the backside except you ddont have to build the backside up becuase you arent going to have to fair the backside.
When its dry sand and fair it, you can then use some bodyfiller to fill in any imperfections or low spots, I also make a bodyfiller out of the West System by using whats called "microballons", they are basically what they sound like and when mixed with the West, you get a excellent epoxy based fairing compound versus a polyester one.
You will have to sand the whole thing according to the primer you use, different primers can fill in different sanding, I have primers that fill in 80 grit sanding, and some that will barely fill in 320 grit. I use a epoxy primer as well. After you prime it you will get a idea if you need to touch up your body work or not. Correct any body work errors and re-prime then sand according to the paint you are going to use.