UPDATES!

I went ahead and installed the radio cover over the console and I heard a CRACK... The good news is the actual console is fine. The radio cover cracked at one of the seams. This is actually a good thing because the fit was REALLY tight and was very difficult to remove. I sanded down the areas applied more resin and glass. I also cut the face from the radio cover and I'm prepping for the trim plate. I'm thinking the radio cover might be 75% complete this weekend - if all goes well.

First, a preview. This is the radio console in the car



CRACK!!!! DANG IT


Despite the crack I went ahead and painted the radio console black to get a better idea of what the cover looks like - I LIKE IT




In the car


I then took black paint and sprayed the inside of the console and radio cover. The paint laid out a template so could see exactly where to remove the fiberglass so I can see the radio, A/C, etc


I then cut out the material and installed it back the car - looking real good!


Check it out! No face plate yet - but I also have to remove the area where the upper gauges are. The plan here is to permanently adhere the face plates to the radio cover and blend them into the piece using fiberglass and filler. The is going to take a lot of glass because the plastic is so thick. I will only add the glass to the front of the cover and not the sides. I will try to utilize the hex bolt holes just to stay true to the original design.


I then addressed the crack with more resin and glass - this weekend will include lots of filler and sanding. All the resin and filler are added to outside of the cover - not the inside. NOTE: I can't add anything to the inside of the mold (resin or filler) or it will alter the shape of the piece and will not fit as snug as it does now... despite the crack LOL

I am however leaving the cover on the console as I apply new glass and filler - I want the piece to fit properly wrap around the console without too much stress. I just hope it works.



That's it for tonight. No movement on the door panel. I ran out of light. I think I'm going to take the door panels and headliner to a shop to apply the black vinyl. I also wanted to add piping to the door panel vinyl along the area where the smooth gloss white area meets where the carpet used to be. I think the piping will add to the look and give it finished look and feel.

More tomorrow.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 03-31-2010).]

Looks amazing! By the way,today I glassed over the temp gauge pod, with 1.5 coats. After the first one, I sanded it and whatnot, blah blah blah. After the second coat though, I gave everything a hefty glazing of resin. I'll post pctures in my thread tomorrow hopefully. It's gonna kill me to sand down part of it, because of how straight, flat, and perfect most of it looks. The only thing is, with the ".5" coat was just making a larger lip on the small sides. It's gonna look great, thanks for all your advice!!!

I think its very cool how you have a vision and go for it. This is DIY at its greatest. Awesome thread.

Very inspiring, keep up the great work!

quote Originally posted by grkboy707: Looks amazing! By the way,today I glassed over the temp gauge pod, with 1.5 coats. After the first one, I sanded it and whatnot, blah blah blah. After the second coat though, I gave everything a hefty glazing of resin. I'll post pctures in my thread tomorrow hopefully. It's gonna kill me to sand down part of it, because of how straight, flat, and perfect most of it looks. The only thing is, with the ".5" coat was just making a larger lip on the small sides. It's gonna look great, thanks for all your advice!!!

POST THOSE PICS! Remember when sanding to use even strokes and a circular motion (someone might have a different method). Also be sure use varying grits of paper to achieve the look you want. And anything we can to help get your project finished, just let us know.

quote Originally posted by Sofa King: Remember when sanding to use even strokes and a circular motion (someone might have a different method). Also be sure use varying grits of paper to achieve the look you want. And anything we can to help get your project finished, just let us know.

Actually, I have a portable belt sander (I use it as a stationary one...) and its large enough to cover the whole piece I'm doing. Thats how I've been sanding thusfar, and it seems to work nicely. Btw, pics will be up in about a minute

I really like your "Vision"!

quote Originally posted by katatak: I really like your "Vision"!

20/20?

Some minor updates

I painted a heavy coat of black on to the console to find out where the stress points were on the radio cover. And did some sanding.


Now I know exactly where the high marks are



Then I did some basic sanding, primer and prep

Before - you can see the high point on the left side of the cover


After - with a shot of primer


Closer to being finished - I still have lots of little holes to fill. I've discovered you can do this one of two ways: body filler or resin. Both work and require lots of sanding.




More primer


That's all that took place last night. Should be much further along by the end of the weekend.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 04-02-2010).]

Minor Updates

While I was sanding I removed too much material along the curve that follows the back side around the gauge pod so I added more fiberglass creating a sharper curve. I was also able to finally get the radio cover to fit perfectly without getting stuck - it fits like a glove

Cutting new pieces of glass


Hot glued in place



All glassed up


Added a little more glass to the inside of the console


Today I will smooth out the fiberglass pieces that I added and start the process of permanenetly attaching the face plates

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 04-03-2010).]

Don't you just love that fiberglass process? Apply, build up, sand smooth, apply more, sand more, fill a little, apply more, sand a lot, paint, fill more, sand more, paint more..............Looking good Greg! Great satisfaction comes from seeing your concept come to life.

Pat

Hey P,

LOL - You forgot: measure, make sure you have enough resin, cut the glass to size, stand back, get frustrated, start over, sand, primer, stand back again, mix more resin, dust yourself off, cough, clean your glasses, sand, paint and then smile because you finally reached your goal.

Thanks for kind words. It's raining today so I'm not sure if I can get anything done. But tomorrow is supposed to be really nice so I'm hoping for the best.

quote Originally posted by Sofa King: Hey P, LOL - You forgot: measure, make sure you have enough resin, cut the glass to size, stand back, get frustrated, start over, sand, primer, stand back again, mix more resin, dust yourself off, cough, clean your glasses, sand, paint and then smile because you finally reached your goal. Thanks for kind words. It's raining today so I'm not sure if I can get anything done. But tomorrow is supposed to be really nice so I'm hoping for the best.

See there - that's always my problem - I forget to measure and make sure I have enough resin! Sorry to hear it's raining there. It was 80 degrees and nothing but sunshine here today. Perfect day to get a lot done - however I spent half the day goofing off talking about Fiero's and Corvettes. It was a really rough day. Tomorrow is supposed to be 85..........

Later!

Pat

It was raining all morning but then cleared up around nooon. It turned out to be a beautful day - I got a lot done. Check it out!

I worked on the door panel. I found a critical shape error that need to be fixed. Luckily I only had to remove material and not add any. I might have to add a little filler but nothing major at all.

This area was curved. I had to create a smooth right angle like the original - I'll sand it smooth add a little filler and the repaint



Here's the original


I continued work on the radio console. I found a very thin areas where I HAD to add resin to the inside. Luckily everything worked out.




I added a few layers of resin & glass to the outside


I also began work on the other door panel. I removed the vinyl material and put a few layers of resin to give it strength



I continued to add primer and sand both consoles



Now I'm on to the next step - the face plates - but I've got A MAJOR PROBLEM... Can you figure it out?


I also created a new mock up for the glove box - I started with a simple back plate that will also be used as the actual box itself


Creating the back of the main box


This is how it will fit. I will have to remove my dash to mount it place - UGH


I then created the basic shape with working lid & logo


More on this tomorrow


Different logos - what to use?




Now... the problem I'm facing. As you know the radio face plate has the vents built into the plate itself. I HAVE to carefully remove the vent housing IF I plan to permanently attached the face plate. If I do not remove the vents I cannot remove the radio cover. So... I have to cut the vent housing and find a way to sucessfully adhere it behind the radio bezel without interferece- this is going to be a MAJOR obstacle...

That's it for today. More to come tomorrow.

I have an idea for the lid of the glove box. The design is carried over from the center console lid. I really like it. I think I prefer the smaller logo to the larger one. I will have to buy a new Pontiac logo though. When I removed the logo from the Grand Am at the pick & pull it bent out of shape. Plus it's not that glossy.



This is how the glovebox will look inside - this is subject to change - hmmmmm... I could add more CUP HOLDERS! LOL

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 04-04-2010).]

Hey Greg,

I like the glove box idea. Are you planing on "rounding" the edges off some? Looks a little boxy to me but the concept is cool. Go a little retro and mold in some "cup holders" on the inside of the lid?

Pat

Thanks man. It really turned into a nice day. The edges will definately be rounded over. Cup holders... LOL How many cup holders does one man need? I dunno. I guess I'm about to find out. LOL

I will need to create a bracket that will keep the lid from folding all the way down - maybe something like this? See the red bracket. What do you think? I could use a chain but that would be cheesy and I would be compromising on the design.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 04-04-2010).]

For something to limit how far it opens on a lot of the new cars they use a plastic cable that uses a kind of push button that lock itself into a hole so it would be real easy to install and remove if you need to work on something. I'm sure you couldfind something like it at a junk yard and they'd probably give it to you.

Just an idea.
looking good.

Ant

On a side note I started on my console will post a thread when i get some more done on it, thanks again for the ideas and inspiration!

Hey Greg,

I was thinking the same thing on a "limit strap". My 47 Chevy truck uses something similar to what your concept shows. One on each side. It's an radius piece of strap that is fastened to the lid with a 2 small studs. The "strap" slides through a slot in the dash and is bent at a 90 degree on the back side with a rubber sleeve like a bumper. I'll see if I can get some pics. Looking good as usual.

P.S. I am working with some glass today - I really miss this stuff. Glad to be back at it again. Thanks for the inspration!

Pat

P,

That would great if you could get those pics! Every little bit helps. But those little straps might work too? Like you I've got a few junk yards I can rummage around in to see what I can find. Glad you're back to glassing - can't wait to see what you're doing next

All,

This image was just posted on a thread I started the other day. I'm considering recreating the rounded 89 prototype gauge housing - I'm considering it. I have enough foam core for a simple mock up so I'll see what I can do. But I desperately need to know exactly where the gauge cluster came from. However, I NEVER noticed the way the way the center console was laid out in the 89 concept. This is really sharp and is giving me some great ideas for my existing radio cover and a future design!



What do you guys think?

Hmmm. I've got mixed feelings on it. It looks very modern, but it also looks like every other car out there.

like the radio console part but have to agree... gauge cluster looks like everything else out there... doesn't really match the rest of the more squared off interior (for the 89 concept).... maybe if you set the aux. gauges on top of the 89 concept style radio console and set them back a little so they are on the light grey part and mold them in (rounded off a little more like the bottom part) ..... not sure how to explain it and I haven't gotten Xara yet.... (don't get me wrong though this would be a different project (maybe one that I will do to my car), I like what you are doing with the white and black interior, the glove box for that looks like one of the early fiero concepts.)

quote Originally posted by Sofa King: All, This image was just posted on a thread I started the other day. I'm considering recreating the rounded 89 prototype gauge housing - I'm considering it. I have enough foam core for a simple mock up so I'll see what I can do. But I desperately need to know exactly where the gauge cluster came from. However, I NEVER noticed the way the way the center console was laid out in the 89 concept. This is really sharp and is giving me some great ideas for my existing radio cover and a future design! the cluster is the same as a 92 to 99 firebird What do you guys think?

THANKS! Looks like I'm going to have to make a run to several junk yards to see if I can find a wrecked Firebird. The dash cluster is just an idea right now. I still have a long way to go before I do anything.

I didn't do anything last night after work. I was just too tired. Depending on when I get home this afternoon I might get out and work some on the radio cover. After seeing the 89 Concept dash I have a few ideas that I want to look at for the face of the radio cover. I also need to start looking at the shifter plate design as well. If I get rid of the ash trays I'll have lots of room but what do I put in its place? OK guys... put your thinking caps on. Help me out here.

quote Originally posted by Sofa King:

How much for one of those chicken sandwiches shipped?

LOL $38.95 And well worth it!

How about raising the lip from over the A/C vents to over the aux. gauges?

Edit: punctuation

[This message has been edited by hye_4_life (edited 04-06-2010).]

quote Originally posted by hye_4_life: How about raising the lip from over the A/C vents to over the aux. gauges? Edit: punctuation

I was thinking the same thing.

quote Originally posted by deloreanant: I was thinking the same thing.

Maybe two of them? The one over the vents would be slightly larger. That way the radio cover isn't so top heavy. hmmmmm... Good idea...

like it. Kind of what I was thinking (and trying to explain in an earlier thread).... I noticed that the 89 concept interior had a slight tray molded in to the bottom part (of the radio console) that connects to the shifter console cover.... something that you may consider for the one you are working on.

Thanks!

The plan is to create an integrated tray. I'm not sure about the depth or size but it's definately going to be included.