Sourmug's Decklid Vent Build ** 56K Warning!!** (Page 29/69)
Sourmug JUL 29, 01:29 AM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

So I'm guessing you don't want to reupholster the dash. I can't say I blame you.

Just out of curiosity, what is the dashboard made of? And how thick is the dashboard material (the structure, not the upholstery) near the edge? I might have an idea...



Heck no, I don't want to re-upholster the dash! There is nothing wrong with it's finish so I would like to keep it "as is". The Stealth dash is essentially a plastic body with molded foam over top. I will get some close-up shots and measurements.

Timo:

We will see how they turn out first.

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]

Sourmug JUL 29, 01:46 AM
Here's the pictures. They are all of the passenger corner:




The plastic skeleton is about 1/8" to 3/16" thick.

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]

Blacktree JUL 29, 01:54 AM
I figured it would be plastic. The plastic is nice & thick too. That's good. Here's the idea...

Using your homemade molds, attached to the dash, you make fiberglass pieces that overlap the bottom surface of the dash (by maybe an inch or so). That overlap will serve as a mounting flange, so you can attach the corner pieces to the dash using short screws (from underneath). If you use machine screws with just the right length, you won't have to worry about sharp tips poking through the upholstery.

I'm not sure what to do (cosmetically) about the seam, though.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 07-29-2006).]

Fiero1Fan JUL 29, 02:11 AM
I was thinking about doing something like the Defroster Duct in the stock Fiero Dash. Then use a metal grill material. If the same grill material was used as the middle defroster duct I think it would look like they belong and not an add on. They could also be made functional.
Nolan are both sides the same size and shape or at least close to it?

[This message has been edited by Fiero1Fan (edited 07-29-2006).]

Sourmug JUL 29, 02:33 AM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

I figured it would be plastic. The plastic is nice & thick too. That's good. Here's the idea...

Using your homemade molds, attached to the dash, you make fiberglass pieces that overlap the bottom surface of the dash (by maybe an inch or so). That overlap will serve as a mounting flange, so you can attach the corner pieces to the dash using short screws (from underneath). If you use machine screws with just the right length, you won't have to worry about sharp tips poking through the upholstery.

I'm not sure what to do (cosmetically) about the seam, though.




Blacktree:

That may work, I'll need to think about it.

quote
Originally posted by Fiero1Fan:

I was thinking about doing something like the Defroster Duct in the stock Fiero Dash. Then use a metal grill material. If the same grill material was used as the middle defroster duct I think it would look like they belong and not an add on. They could also be made functional.
Nolan are both sides the same size and shape or at least close to it?





Timo:

The pieces are similar but not exactly the same. I think my dash is at a teeny bit of an angle so that the driverside is a bit bigger.

I have aftermarket vents to put into the top of the dash. I will take some pictures tomorrow.

Thanks Gents!

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]

Sourmug JUL 29, 03:27 PM
Here are the pictures of the after-market grilles for the defroster vents:





I was thinking about incorporating some of the perforated metal into the infill pieces.

I have also been thinking that however the filler pieces are attached they will need to go in place after the main dash is already installed. Otherwise I think it might be too tight of a fit to pre-assemble and then move into place.

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]

Sourmug JUL 29, 08:45 PM
I have done some work on the fillers:



They still need more work and are a little wavy. The right side needs the corner built up a bit and the left one needs the round edge built up too. I was thinking about maybe seeing if there is some sort of vinyl that has a similar texture to the dash.

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]

RCR JUL 30, 08:20 AM
Looks good Nolan. As mentioned above, you can glass a tab to the bottom that overlaps the bottom edge of the dash. A little epoxy and/or some 1/8" rivets will hold it together forever.

Bob
Sourmug JUL 30, 10:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by RCR:

Looks good Nolan. As mentioned above, you can glass a tab to the bottom that overlaps the bottom edge of the dash. A little epoxy and/or some 1/8" rivets will hold it together forever.

Bob


Thanks Bob, I'll have a look to see how I can do this.

After some more work on the fillers I thought I had better have a test fit with the dash in the car. Here are the pictures, first the driver's side:


then the passenger:


The fit isn't perfect yet. The strip along the windshield on the passenger side piece for some reason doesn't sit down onto the dash, it has the wrong curve and will need to be reshaped oh well, nobody said it would be easy. Mostly it is a relatively easy matter of fill a bit here and remove a bit there.

I am still thinking that covering these with vinyl is the way to go but that remains to be seen as finding a match for the pattern on the dash will be a challenge. If I end up painting them I think it will be the same color as the dash, otherwise they will be too obvious.

Thoughts, suggestions, comments anyone??

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]

Sourmug JUL 31, 11:19 PM
I think I have the shapes more or less complete, possibly a little bit more tweaking but we'll see. The real issue was with the right side filler. For some reason the curve along the windshield was off in a manner that tilted the fiberglass up off of the dash. You can see what I mean in this picture:

You can see how it site up in the red ellipse. In order to fix it I layed up multiple layers for mat and resin on the underside and then sanded the top down. I did this a few times until it has changed the angle and now sits flat.

Here are how the fillers now look:




Not a huge amount of difference in the picture but much better in real life.

I have also decided that these are going to be covered in vinyl. Here is a picture of the vinyl grain on the Stealth dash:

As you can see it's a fairly textured vinyl. My wife and I spent some time looking at various fabric stores for something similar but with no luck. Today Barbara found some websites with automotive vinyl and I think we found a match.


It's Corinthian Endurasoft Vinyl and can be purchased from This Site

I think it's a pretty darn close match.

Nolan

[This message has been edited by Sourmug (edited 05-28-2007).]