My 88 Formula Interior Redesign (Page 27/87)
Sofa King DEC 20, 05:57 PM
Just had an idea!!!!

Depending how deep the new console is (I can always change it) - I might be able to place a cup holder below the lid in the main console and NOT in the armrest. This would free up space in the armrest for a new mini glove box and allow a tapered look instead of the sudden "chopped" off look. This would also allow for the return of the 12v outlet.

I kinda like this new direction... what do you think?


That's it for today.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 12-20-2009).]

katatak DEC 20, 08:36 PM
Wow Greg!. What is really weird is that I thought you were using just foam board. Not foam core. When I went to the hobby store the other day to get some foam board, I had a pile of it in my cart and wandered through the foam core isle. I thought it would work better so I dumped the foam board and picked up the foam core. It was way cheaper too. And all the while, it's what you were using....Great minds think a like. Or you were sending me telepathic signals while I was roaming around the hobby store - but I do not want to go there....lol. I here I thought I had one up on you............I also found that the old hot glue works really good to holt it together.

Anyway, I found that if I wax the foam core paper with auto wax and instead of buffing the wax off, leave the film of wax on the paper, you can lay glass and resin right on the mold and when it's setup, it peels off real easy. Just make sure to cover the exposed edges of foam with packing tape.

Now who's raising the bar....... You got me thinking again. I was just going to extend what I had already done. Now I'm thinking a complete rebuild! I hate you..........

Pat
aeffertz DEC 20, 09:52 PM
Wow!
Definitely like the new concept you just came up with. I'd say go for that!

[This message has been edited by aeffertz (edited 12-20-2009).]

Sofa King DEC 21, 08:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by aeffertz:

Wow!
Definitely like the new concept you just came up with. I'd say go for that!




Thanks for the positive feedback. I'm with you. I really like this new direction. The nice thing is that I can create the entire console in foam core, paint it (if I want to) and install it to see which one I like best with minimal cost and very little time.

As I move forward I'm looking at different designs for the shifter plate and radio - a/c housing. I've got tons of ideas running through my head but I'm headed for the same "wall" Katatak just hit - How do you design an interior keeping with the original design of the car but updating it with today's / future design elements - very tricky.
katatak DEC 21, 01:39 PM
My head hurts from banging it against the wall. Your way is the best way. Build models to you get the one you want then go to glassing. If I had waited a few weeks longer to start mine, all the work I already did would not have been wasted. Well I don't really think it was a waste. I did learn a lot. Now I'm ready for the next phase with a clearer picture of what it is I am tryoing to accomplish. Could not have done it without your hel[p and advice Greg! Thanks again for sharing what you are doing. Keep sme going forward.

Pat
Sofa King DEC 21, 03:06 PM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:

My head hurts from banging it against the wall. Your way is the best way. Build models to you get the one you want then go to glassing. If I had waited a few weeks longer to start mine, all the work I already did would not have been wasted. Well I don't really think it was a waste. I did learn a lot. Now I'm ready for the next phase with a clearer picture of what it is I am tryoing to accomplish. Could not have done it without your hel[p and advice Greg! Thanks again for sharing what you are doing. Keep sme going forward.

Pat



UH-GREED!!!! I think I'm more frustrated with myself for not even thinking of the foam core - what a dope! But like you said - we've both learned a LOT! And we're both learning from each other and that keeps us moving forward. Thank you for the kind words. But it's you who keeps raising the bar and making me rethink my own decisions and processes - you bum. Maybe we should open a shop - nah... we'd never sell anything. We'd just improve on the previous design. LOL

NOW! Check this out. I discussed this in an earlier thread and you're probably going to be able to do this before I will - Christmas Vacation is coming and I'll be out of town for a week and then its back to work!

Here's the plan: I'll be doing this on my next console
When you create a new fiberglass panel make sure you have your "foam core" parts already laid out, cut, measured, etc... This is really tricky becuase you can't walk away after you lay the resin! When the panel is still curing but just dry to the touch, remove the wax paper, lay the foam core pieces on top of the panel and shoot a light layer of primer making sure you hit ALL the edges. Remove the foam core to reveal the outline. Take your trusty X-Acto blade and straight edge and begin to cut out the shapes from the fiberglass panel being VERY carfeul around the edges - the idea is to get a perfect cut. The resin will not have cured all the way and cutting should be easy - make sure you use a NEW blade. When you make all the cuts peel away the excess leaving only the prefabricated shapes to dry. Reapply the waxpaper and a flat board until the resin has fully cured.

I tried this process on a huge panel and it worked PERFECTLY! All I did was cut the edges and remove the flash - but it worked. There was MINIMAL sanding and cutting to do. It was AWESOME! The build process should go by MUCH quicker!

What do you think?

Now. GO DO IT!
katatak DEC 21, 10:23 PM
Hey Greg,

The light bulb just clicked on. I understand what you are doing now. Let's see if I have this straight.

You build the part with the foam board. Then check it in the car for fit. Once you have the design you want, you deconstruct the part (foam board) then make a fiberglass panel. As the resin cures, you lay the pieces of the deconstructed part on the panel and cut the pieces out with a razor knife. Once the pieces are fully cured, your assemble the fiberglass pieces to make the final part using tips learned from Archie (hot glue on one side) to hold the piece together while you glass the other side. I get it.......... It's excellent!

My plan was to build the part out of foam core and then use the part as a "plug" to lay glass over. Once sured, I would peall the fiberglass part off the plug.

Your plan will reduce the amount of sanding and finishing a bunch! I told you that I was banging my head on the wall too much. Also have some brain damage from all the resin.........

During my plane flight today, I was working all these "parts" in my head - all the things I was going to with my "new" console. I guess I have to toss all that out now and rethink it. Thanks again Buddy!
Sofa King DEC 22, 07:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:

Hey Greg,

The light bulb just clicked on. I understand what you are doing now. Let's see if I have this straight.

You build the part with the foam board. Then check it in the car for fit. Once you have the design you want, you deconstruct the part (foam board) then make a fiberglass panel. As the resin cures, you lay the pieces of the deconstructed part on the panel and cut the pieces out with a razor knife. Once the pieces are fully cured, your assemble the fiberglass pieces to make the final part using tips learned from Archie (hot glue on one side) to hold the piece together while you glass the other side. I get it.......... It's excellent!

My plan was to build the part out of foam core and then use the part as a "plug" to lay glass over. Once sured, I would peall the fiberglass part off the plug.

Your plan will reduce the amount of sanding and finishing a bunch! I told you that I was banging my head on the wall too much. Also have some brain damage from all the resin.........

During my plane flight today, I was working all these "parts" in my head - all the things I was going to with my "new" console. I guess I have to toss all that out now and rethink it. Thanks again Buddy!



BINGO! You got it! I think the plan has some merit to it. Try doing it on a small piece first - maybe the emblem???? Anything to avoid unnecessary sanding, right? And about your brain damage... Welcome to the club. I'm not just a member... I'm the founder.

I do the same thing when I have down time - just think about all the different possibilities, lines, designs, creature comforts, etc... What can I do to make the fantastic car just a little better.
Sofa King DEC 22, 06:30 PM
HEY HEY!

Santa came early this year! Looks like I know what other project will begin!




Now if you remember, this is the basic plan for the door panels. The final design is still being worked in my head.


THANKS SANTA!

I'm leaving for Vegas tomorrow morning for Christmas (I know I know...) so there will be no working on the project until I get back next Monday. So, in the meantime...

Happy Holidays to all and have a very Merry Christmas!
Sofa King DEC 25, 02:00 AM
Just want to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas