Are you still waiting for the Fi512 ? I thought you were long gone. It's going to be a while before I can really start on it...gotta ship some interiors first.
[This message has been edited by Amida (edited 01-09-2009).]
amida, do you have a source for black alcantara material 'cause i'd like to get enough to do the top of my euro-dash. Is it THAT much different than UV-treated suede ?
amida, do you have a source for black alcantara material 'cause i'd like to get enough to do the top of my euro-dash. Is it THAT much different than UV-treated suede ?
Well, it might be pricey stuff, but you can get it at Roadwire in Commerce, CA. All good auto/marine ultra suedes will be UV-treated. Alcantara is an Italian brand.
I needed to stop near my "usual" upholstery shop today, so i stopped in and was told by the manager / owner (the only person I trust there, and then only a little more than 50%) that UV-treated suede will last about a year on a dash, alcantara suede a few years, before they get faded. The dash is the most difficult since it gets directly baked by the sun. He showed me a black seat cover he did for his own car with something called NOVA suede that he said would hold up better than either of the others, and was 1/2 cheaper than alcantara. I ordered 1.5 yards to do the top of my dash and A-pillar covers in black. Note: he quoted $120 / yard for alcantara.
I reasoned that if the alcantara is used on high-performance race cars, it is made for maximum (non-glare) performance and not longevity (?) so maybe he was somewhat correct. In any case, i decided to take a chance that he knew what he was talking about when he showed me his own seat cover (but it might have been something he found on the sidewalk and just wanted to make a sale - who knows).
I needed to stop near my "usual" upholstery shop today, so i stopped in and was told by the manager / owner (the only person I trust there, and then only a little more than 50%) that UV-treated suede will last about a year on a dash, alcantara suede a few years, before they get faded. The dash is the most difficult since it gets directly baked by the sun. He showed me a black seat cover he did for his own car with something called NOVA suede that he said would hold up better than either of the others, and was 1/2 cheaper than alcantara. I ordered 1.5 yards to do the top of my dash and A-pillar covers in black. Note: he quoted $120 / yard for alcantara.
I reasoned that if the alcantara is used on high-performance race cars, it is made for maximum (non-glare) performance and not longevity (?) so maybe he was somewhat correct. In any case, i decided to take a chance that he knew what he was talking about when he showed me his own seat cover (but it might have been something he found on the sidewalk and just wanted to make a sale - who knows).
For some reason I thought you were working on a Countach. What do you have a Mera?
Yeah, it'll be a really nice nose eventually. I've already split the 512tr donor in half. I'll probably be removing about 4.5" from the total width. My experience with building the Fi355 nose should help me alot on this one.
{pm sent} commerce is pretty close to me - i'll have to check them out.
i like to think my next kitcar willl be a 308 or 512 testaRossa, but i'm seeing some nice gallardos in the works - the lambo's are normally wayyyy beyond my level of involvement (frame stretch, vertical door difficulty and expense to build ). i think i want a "knock-off" of the gray one you posted above [at first i thoiught it was a fiero kit ]
[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 01-10-2009).]
UV-treated suede will last about a year on a dash, alcantara suede a few years, before they get faded. The dash is the most difficult since it gets directly baked by the sun.
UV-treated suede will last about a year on a dash, alcantara suede a few years, before they get faded. The dash is the most difficult since it gets directly baked by the sun.
I hope that does not happen to my dash -
All materials fade, UV coating just slows it down. I think the literature said the rating was 4% loss a year if kept in the sun for 24 hours a day, or something like that. I wouldn't worry about it. Within ten years you'll probably be driving an enzo replica or a minivan anyway. If you park day-in & day-out in the blazing sun, use a windshield visor.
Look what I just got back from a 10 hour drive with! Looks good Rob. Thanks again. And if anyone is wondering about dealing with Rob (Amida), he is one of the best. I will be updateing my build thread with more pics soon. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/071783.html
I wouldn't worry. The guy at the shop before him told me it would last only 6 months. Besides, you have light gray; i'll have black.
quote
Originally posted by Amida:
All materials fade, UV coating just slows it down. I think the literature said the rating was 4% loss a year if kept in the sun for 24 hours a day, or something like that. I wouldn't worry about it. Within ten years you'll probably be driving an enzo replica or a minivan anyway. If you park day-in & day-out in the blazing sun, use a windshield visor.
Good to hear. That's what I was thinking - use a visor or park in the shade i just hope this NOVA stuff i bought is a decent grade ....
[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 01-11-2009).]
Look what I just got back from a 10 hour drive with! Looks good Rob. Thanks again. And if anyone is wondering about dealing with Rob (Amida), he is one of the best. I will be updateing my build thread with more pics soon. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/071783.html
It's good to see that the box was in good shape. Not really needed for soft urethane noses , but for gelcoated fiberglass it is a must to have full protection to guard the gelcoat during shipping.
My plan is to use the same upper valance as on the Fi355 nose, and to also borrow surface sections & flanges to help make this one quicker to put together. But, as before, I still have to work outside on the car for this one. Waiting for it to get a little warmer though.
amida - i picked up the suede from the upholsterers today and it looks terrific . Pretty thick, though, so i hope it won't be a problem to work with. i e-mailed you a copy of the specs to your juno address.
i also spoke to my window tinter and he said there is a 70% (very light) grade of tint that might be suitable for a windshield to help with the UV and heat. anybody know anything about 70% tint ?
[This message has been edited by PaulJK (edited 01-13-2009).]
You still have snow up there? It's like high 40's low 50's here in Walla Walla, strange weather, feels like spring. So the nose will be pretty easily put together? Simplicity is great, keep up the good work.
You still have snow up there? It's like high 40's low 50's here in Walla Walla, strange weather, feels like spring. So the nose will be pretty easily put together? Simplicity is great, keep up the good work.
The snow is all gone now. Doing Delorean00's upholstery & adding some finishing touches to Ferrobi's dash design. Moving air from the base of the windshield to two, round vents in a different spot is a little tricky.
For the Fi355 chin spoiler I'll use this negative impression of the lower side of the nose as the mounting flange. I'll cut it down to 3-4 inches around the perimeter.
I'm going after something like this one. It looks like I could start off by doing what some guys are doing with the GTaero, attach an upside down bottom section of a 2nd GTaero, to get a mirror image. I could probably work off of that for starters. .
quote
Originally posted by Bridgetown:
[This message has been edited by Amida (edited 01-15-2009).]
Can't wait Amida! You can count on me for one for sure. Are you starting on this right now? I just wanted to say again wicked job on my front fascia. My wife thinks I'm retarded because I have it sitting in the living room and I just drool over it.
Can't wait Amida! You can count on me for one for sure. Are you starting on this right now? I just wanted to say again wicked job on my front fascia. My wife thinks I'm retarded because I have it sitting in the living room and I just drool over it.
In the living room? I guess it can double as a coffee table.
Here's a couple shots of a new Fi355 interior set coming together. Door upholstery just finished in black leatherette and going through final fitting. . . The Fi40 dash had to be pulled or else the 355 doors would crash into it when closed...wouldn't want that to happen. .
------------------ 1986 GT Fiero Owner & Enthusiast For Fiero updates, visit my site and don't forget visit our google ad sponsors http://educatorstop15.com/fieropage.htm
Rob, i posted this on the wrong threat but i wanted to know how hard would it be to fill in the side moulding area on your 355 nose to use with an archie wide body kit. also how much for the nose and shipping to 07764. thanks al
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i just hope this NOVA stuff i bought is a decent grade ....
