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RCR's body mods... by RCR
Started on | : 06-15-2009 07:28 PM |
Replies | : 662 (38785 views) |
Last post by | : RCR on 09-25-2024 07:33 AM |
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Jun 15th, 2009
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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In the line of my "dash mods" and "interior mods" threads, I'm going to go beyond my better judgement and start a body mods thread. Let's let the pictures do the talking and I can fill in the blanks later... Started with a Fieroaddiction hood vent: I lked it further forward, so I had to modify it to make it functional. I was going to just screen off the openings, but thought I'd try something different: Louvers... Here is the mold for the louvers: ...courtesy of Home Depot Picture of the bottom, looking front to back: All the vents from top, front to back: and from the back to front: More in a second... Bob
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07:28 PM
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PFF
System Bot
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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As can be seen in a couple of the above shots, I'm also redoing the headlights. No more popups. I'm flushmounting them and moving them forward. I will be fabricating fiberglass light buckets to support two 60mm Hella halogen lights, and vacuum forming my own acrylic/polycarb lenses (How? don't ask yet...). Here is the start... Getting ideas: Headlight covers glued in: Card board mock-up: Masonite buck: Into plaster mold: Into a fiberglass part. Important lesson...Do not paint the mold with engine enamel...Sticks like glue, even with wax and PVA release... Chip by chip removal of mold: But, a molded part...rough, but good enough for now... Bob [This message has been edited by RCR (edited 06-15-2009).]
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07:41 PM
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aeffertz Member Posts: 798 From: Ladysmith, WI Registered: Feb 2009
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Awesome.
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07:49 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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And, last but certainly not least... The mods to the hood and headlights tie directly into the bumper cover. I've never been fond of the GT nose nor the bumper pad nose and although I like the 87/88 coupe nose, it still needs mods. After looking high and low for a nose I could afford (read really cheap), I decided to try making my own. How this will ultimately end, I have no clue. But if you don't try, you'll never find out. So here is the debut... First piece fitted. A piece of cardboard was cut to give a profile for the hood to bumper interface. The foam is the same stuff I used to make my door panel. I can glass over it without fear of it turniong to goo. Filling in the top and giving it shape: An idea of how low it will be with the winglets: And filling in the front; Some profile shots: And the inspiration: The Hamann Ferrari 512. More later... Bob [This message has been edited by RCR (edited 06-15-2009).]
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07:53 PM
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Titleist75 Member Posts: 34 From: Binbrook, Ontario, Canada Registered: May 2009
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Great thread!!! This is exactly something I will be doing once I get my car appraised and safetied. Looking forward to seeing the final outcome.
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08:29 PM
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exoticse Member Posts: 8655 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
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Cool project !
Keep the pictures and updates coming.
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08:49 PM
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wolf63 Member Posts: 265 From: Brighton Colorado Registered: Aug 2007
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WOW! i am lovin the louvers! I'll be watching this thread closely:-)
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09:05 PM
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FieroFiend Member Posts: 692 From: Phoenix, AZ Registered: Apr 2002
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I really like what your doing with the front bumper.
I really think the fronts that drop off quick are awesome.
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11:27 PM
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Jun 16th, 2009
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ghost187x Member Posts: 1026 From: El Paso, TX Registered: Oct 2008
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KEEP Up the GOOD WORK!!! [This message has been edited by ghost187x (edited 06-16-2009).]
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02:16 AM
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Rolling Thunder Member Posts: 1244 From: College Station, TX Registered: Aug 2008
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I'd really like to see you build your own decklid scoop so that I know what the f I'm doing when I attempt it in the next few weeks. btw, don't steal my idea
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02:50 AM
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Neolithic Shadow Member Posts: 354 From: Tucson, Az, USA Registered: Mar 2008
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very cool custom front bumper! theres been many posts about a short bumper but i think you may be the first to create one. and the fieroadiction vent looked nice before, now its awsome
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02:52 AM
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PFF
System Bot
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FieroFiend Member Posts: 692 From: Phoenix, AZ Registered: Apr 2002
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with those lights and that front mouth it almost looks like the rksport street fire body kit for the 96-02 sunfires from the mouth up and thats not a bad thing.
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07:03 AM
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Synthesis Member Posts: 12207 From: Jordan, MN Registered: Feb 2002
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As good as it looks, I noticed your front impact beam is no longer on the car for the nose you are creating.... Or am I just blind?
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09:32 AM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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| quote | Originally posted by Synthesis:
As good as it looks, I noticed your front impact beam is no longer on the car for the nose you are creating.... Or am I just blind? |
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You are correct. Once the nose is fabricated, I will either modify the existing one to fit or create a new one. To all: thanx for the comments. Bob
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06:00 PM
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doublec4 Member Posts: 8289 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jun 2003
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The louvered hood vents are bad ass. I would like to do something similar, just more squarish ------------------
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07:28 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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| quote | Originally posted by doublec4:
The louvered hood vents are bad ass. I would like to do something similar, just more squarish
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Thank you... I was originally going to do them flat, but i got the "never tried it before bug" and voila... To make the flat pieces, I was going to sandwich the fiberglass between two sheets of glass. To make the curved pieces, I sandwiched the FG between two 5 gallon bucket halves. Then made the basic shape out of cardboard and matched it to the blank from the mold, traced it out and cut with a Dremel tool. The hardest part was matching the curvature for the two sides. The louvres are glued in using the SMC panel adhesive, then blended in with short hair plastic filler. Bob [This message has been edited by RCR (edited 06-16-2009).]
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08:18 PM
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Jun 17th, 2009
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FieroFanatic13 Member Posts: 3521 From: Big Rapids, MI, USA Registered: Jul 2006
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08:57 AM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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| quote | Originally posted by FieroFanatic13: This is my biggest complaint about the flush mounts that just go in the stock opening. They always look too far back to me. This is cool. |
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Same here. This should also help alviate the dark stop in front caused by standard flushmounts. Bob
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07:37 PM
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Jun 18th, 2009
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Dash Member Posts: 439 From: milwaukee, wisconsin Registered: Sep 2008
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youre making your own bumper holy living hell thats awesome i want in also your headlights resmble sex in car form. i want them
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02:48 AM
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HC Member Posts: 691 From: Phoenix, AZ Registered: Feb 2006
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Project is looking good so far! Can't wait for updates!
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04:30 AM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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Small update on the fascia. Continued shaping. Made some profile gauges so I can match the sides. Un fortuneately I don't have a lot of room to manuveur, so it's kind of a PITA to work on. Here are some pics: A little blurry, but taking shape. You can see how I'm thinking the aux vents will be placed. Filling in the extra space with the air dam and splitters - just temporary to get an idea how it will look. Profile gauge on one side: Versus the other side. This side still needed about a 1/2" taken off the bottom Bob
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06:09 PM
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PFF
System Bot
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Jake_Dragon Member Posts: 32897 From: USA Registered: Jan 2001
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Very nice, what do you have in mind for the rest of the car? I have never liked the flat sides of the Fiero. I like curves.
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06:59 PM
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Tony Kania Member Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
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Total ratings: 305
User Banned
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I officially hate you now. There are no great pizza's to be found in Spokane. And there you are, flaunting your Jet's Pizza box in my face. That is my favorite pie! Damn you and your pizza enjoyment. Damn you! Arrrrrghhh! P.S. Your concept looks great. ------------------
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07:29 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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Looks a lot more like something now, but the pics are still on the camera. Tomorrow morning, I'm headed to the local salvage yard to see if I can pick up the turn signals and driving lights. Then I should be able to finalize the shape. -yeah!!
Thanx for all the comments guys. Helps keep me motivated.
Bob
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10:23 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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| quote | Originally posted by Jake_Dragon:
Very nice, what do you have in mind for the rest of the car? I have never liked the flat sides of the Fiero. I like curves. |
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Here's an idea I posted a while back in Amida's thread. I've always had it in the back of my mind and is the direction it's going in. Bob
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10:30 PM
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Jun 19th, 2009
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Sourmug Member Posts: 4538 From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Registered: Sep 2002
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You're crazier than I am! Looks good Bob
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01:36 PM
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BabyVet Member Posts: 1173 From: Kansas City, Kansas Registered: May 2008
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Looks good man keep up the good work!!! can't wait to see more pic
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02:39 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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Nolan...I'll take that as a compliment since you spread the disease. Couple quick pics for today... The lights. Turn signals of a Nissan Altima and fog lamps off a Sunfire. And some WIP pics. Bob
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05:36 PM
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Jun 21st, 2009
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Amida Member Posts: 2357 From: Seattle, WA. USA Registered: Jul 2003
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12:01 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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| quote | Originally posted by Amida:
Lookin' good there Bob.
Been there before with enamel. Heat from curing can make seemingly dry paint sticky again. Now I just use quick dry Duplicolor lacquer. Wax one time & PVA 3 times is normally enough for my work. Quick & dirty moulds are made to be destroyed in the end anyhow. My Fi40 glovebox plug was made of waxed cardboard & clay, no paint. After the mould was layed-up I just pulled the carboard plug apart. |
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Thanx Rob. Maybe someday I'll have your mad skills. You've shown me what can be done, but you've raised the bar so high it's kind of hard to see. bob
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12:58 PM
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PFF
System Bot
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Jun 27th, 2009
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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OK, How about an update?? It sure doesn't look like a whole lot has occurred, especially in the pics, but I've been cutting, glueing, and sanding a whole lot. I know, I know...Here are the pics. Let me know what you think. Driverside corner didn't match the passenger side, so... Starting to map things out a little better. Trying to match the shape of both sides. Tough shot to take, not a lot of room. No smiley face here (at least not yet). Speaking of room... I wish I could have turned the car around to face tthe garage door, but it has not front suspension or wheels. Closeup of the passenger side lower vent
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07:43 PM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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More pics... Front profile Starting the sides. I cut the front flat so everything tied together easily. Then started building up. This time,I tied the side to the chassis (better than I did the front) to make things maore stable. I also cut up the remaining GT side to use as a guide for the wheel well and interface for the upper fender. I used the slight bow in my straight edge to advantage to line up the front valance with the side ground effects/body line. Filled in and sanded smooth. Just need to trim the wheel opening and on the the other side. Well?? Bob
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07:51 PM
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kwagner Member Posts: 4258 From: Pittsburgh, PA Registered: Apr 2005
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| quote | Originally posted by RCR:
Well??
Bob |
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Lookin' good
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07:58 PM
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Jun 28th, 2009
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Amida Member Posts: 2357 From: Seattle, WA. USA Registered: Jul 2003
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Snub nose huh? Like the ".38 special". Nice to have a flat & level floor indoors. I did the Fi355 nose outdoors on a tilted & sloped driveway on rocky concrete...wore out my kneed pads real fast. One of my fav symbolic shots. . Nice two tone job. [This message has been edited by Amida (edited 06-28-2009).]
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11:30 AM
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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I'll be real happy if it comes out half as nice as yours, Rob.
Bob
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02:19 PM
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Jul 8th, 2009
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proff Member Posts: 7393 From: The bottom of the world Registered: Oct 2004
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the only way this would be allowed here would be with thousands of dollars in engineering reports. After crash testing a proto type .
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08:39 PM
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aeffertz Member Posts: 798 From: Ladysmith, WI Registered: Feb 2009
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Keep up the good work! I really love all the work your doing. The stubby nose and the flush mounts. *Adds to Favorites*
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10:31 PM
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Jul 17th, 2009
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RCR Member Posts: 4416 From: Shelby Twp Mi Registered: Sep 2002
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Quickie bump...Been working on it off n on the last week. I've started to layup a layer of drywall mudd. It's a PITA, but from a few feet away it looks cool. I'll post pics later...
Bob
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07:39 PM
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grkboy707 Member Posts: 3019 From: Kingsville, MD Registered: May 2009
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very nice! are you gonna spray the fascia with fiber glass too?
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08:13 PM
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