My 88 Formula Interior Redesign (Page 3/87)
Sofa King NOV 11, 05:57 PM
Hi All,

Here are a few updates from earlier this morning (Wed). After paying tribute to our veterans, I decided to do a little work on the ol girl.

First... please know that this is the first time I've ever worked with fiberglass. I just found out that the fiberglass cloth is MUCH better to work with than the mat. The weave pattern makes it much easier to spread the resin, it conforms to whatever shape you're working with, and doesn't break the glass up into big globs as the mat tends to do. Note - if you're thinking about glassing for the first time... use the cloth. It's a bit more expensive but well worth it.

Ok. Here are the pics

I spent about 45 minutes taping over the entire console - use packing tape - the fiberglass doesn't stick when you remove it


Fitting the fiberglass mat - before I used the cloth


First layer of glass - this would have been much easier with the cloth


I trimed the edges to make it easier to remove from the mold


I created the sides of the arm rest while the glass dried on the console. Total dry time was about 2 hours.


Out of the mold and lightly sanded. Fiberglass is awesome. I was sanding and applying a new layer with 1/2 hour after drying. I did find a few low spots.


Here you can see the stock console in the background. The new console has been sanded down and the new armrest sides are positioned. I only put one layer of glass on the console because I had a feeling it would be tough to pop out of the mold - I was right. I used big tin snips to cut the glass for the armrest sides


Another


Side view showing the armrest curve


Because I only applied one layer I reinforced the sides with more glass. I used the fiberglass cloth on the rest of the console - what a breeze. It's out in the garage drying as I type. I'll use 80 grit sand paper to knock down the high spots. Once the console is strong enough I'll begin to add body filler. I'm still looking at how to create the lid as seen in the very beginning of this post. This image really shows how thin the sides are.


Until tomorrow or tonight...

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 11-11-2009).]

katatak NOV 11, 06:25 PM
Very nice work! I want to be able to do that myself but not sure I have the skill or paitience to do it. I really like the direction you are going in. Do you have a source on that leather look paint system? Any idea what the "instant" kit costs? That stuff is way trick. You can do a lot of custom things with that. Keep up the great work.

Pat

Edit to add: I was just reading through the thread again and have a question. Could you have left the original console inside your glass work to add strength and aid in mounting?

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 11-11-2009).]

Sofa King NOV 11, 08:10 PM
Hi P,

Thanks for the compliments. I didn't think could do it either, but the secret... just do it. Just jump in and do it.

To answer your questions. There is no stateside distributor for the paint but I do have contact information if you are interested. They told me they will ship to the states. So good news there!

To answer your other question: Yes, I could have left the original console attached to the new fiberglass because the original vinyl coverings and padding was SO thick. But I didn't want to completely destroy the original console at the same time. Also, I wanted to push myself to see how far I could go with the fiberglass and so far so good. Finally, I just test fitted the console and its perfect - I haven't even bolted it in...

I hope this helps.

Speaking of which... I have some new pics ready...

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 11-11-2009).]

Sofa King NOV 11, 08:34 PM
Hi All,

Here are some updated pics of the center console...

Here ia a close up of the fiberglass cloth - you can definately see the pattern. The results are a very smooth finish.


Another shot of the cloth


Getting the cut line ready


All the fine cutting finished (for right now) and LOADS of sanding done


The beauty shot


On the car. But the big question is... will it fit? I have to admit... I was really nervous.


It fits, it fits... that's what she said.


Ealier this morning I had a bunch a fiberglass mat, cloth and a couple tubs of resin. Tonight... with a little common sense (the ability to read and follow directions) and lot's of elbow grease I now have a new center console...

If I can do it... you can do it.

This week/end I'm going to finish building the armrest (I have to wait for the cup holder), begin plans / designs for the iPod connection and then jump into creating the white body colored flip up lid (with Pontiac Logo). I'm still up in the air about the lid. What do you guys think?

I was just thinking... I might take a fiberglass mold of the inside part of the "glovebox". This will give me a solid base to work from and I can get the proper depth and size. I may try to use the existing "cubby" that was mounted on the original glovebox lid. I'm still thinking this idea through. The other is to just create a new glovebox the same way as I am the armrest/cupholder piece. I'm going to look online and see if I can find anything or ideas.

Until then...

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 11-11-2009).]

katatak NOV 12, 12:38 AM
Again....I like what you are doing here. It's modern yet still looks like it belongs in the Fiero. You have inspired me to try my hand at glass work. I have a V8 Coupe project that I need to build an extractor scoop in the hood and right now the interior is stripped and is a "blank" canvas to work with. I really like that paint system. Any info you have would be appreciated. I imagine that it is pretty spendy to have it shipped.

On another note, I was just surfing around Ebay and there is a post for a complete custom interior for a Fiero. Looks like the guy used "speckled" paint - looks kind of like granite. Hard to tell by the pics but it looks textured too. It's different. I was also thinking of using "bed liner" on the trim pieces then paint for color. It would give a different texture to the interior - it may be a little rough though? I bought a can of Rustoleum spray on bed liner in an aerosil can that I will be trying out on a test piece. I have also attempted to do the "paint" carbon fibre thing too. Although it is a first attempt, I was pleased with the outcome and will be playing with it a little more. It works pretty well on flat surfaces but I have yet to figure out how to do a piece with multiple side/curves/angle etc.

These are some custom covers I made for a lo pro head light setup I made for my XTC:


Ac vent covers - you can see I had a hard time getting it to line up square on the corners:


Patiently waiting for more from your build.

Pat
Monkeyman NOV 12, 01:11 AM
The power mirror joystick idea was mine from years ago except I used one out of a Ford Escort. If you look in Ogres Cave (link is at the bottom of every page), you'll see my write up on it. Might help you a bit with the wiring.
revin NOV 12, 10:09 AM
put your fiberglass mat on a piece of wax paper. it won't stick to it and makes a smooth finish = less sanding

when the wax paper is on there use a roller to roll out the bubbles!

the console looks a little thin<? maybe another round of glass???

looks good so far!
Sofa King NOV 13, 08:08 AM

quote
Again....I like what you are doing here. It's modern yet still looks like it belongs in the Fiero. You have inspired me to try my hand at glass work. I have a V8 Coupe project that I need to build an extractor scoop in the hood and right now the interior is stripped and is a "blank" canvas to work with. I really like that paint system. Any info you have would be appreciated. I imagine that it is pretty spendy to have it shipped.



Hi P,

Thanks for the compliments. It's been really fun getting my hand dirty. I'm like a little kid, I don't want to do anything else but work on the car. I think its great you're going to jump in and give it a shot. I went to the local "Lowes" home improvement and got everything I needed. Hopefully you have a home improvement or auto super store near you.

I love the CF teatment you gave to the vents, it looks really nice. I've never worked with CF, but can you (did you) add a glossy top layer /clear coat? Really sharp! Are there plans for more CF treatments around the interior? I have no doubt you've inspired a lot of folks to do the same thing. That's why I love this forum, everybody bouncing ideas back and forth.


quote
On another note, I was just surfing around Ebay and there is a post for a complete custom interior for a Fiero. Looks like the guy used "speckled" paint - looks kind of like granite. Hard to tell by the pics but it looks textured too. It's different. I was also thinking of using "bed liner" on the trim pieces then paint for color. It would give a different texture to the interior - it may be a little rough though? I bought a can of Rustoleum spray on bed liner in an aerosil can that I will be trying out on a test piece. I have also attempted to do the "paint" carbon fibre thing too. Although it is a first attempt, I was pleased with the outcome and will be playing with it a little more. It works pretty well on flat surfaces but I have yet to figure out how to do a piece with multiple side/curves/angle etc.



I think the paint used on the interior is a textured paint. If I'm not mistaken, it's very similar to what GM was doing to a few of their last generation cars - ie the HHR. I'm no professional but I would stay away from the textured paints and the bed liner paint as well. Unless you have extra pieces you can test on you don't want to spray the interior parts and then come to the decision you don't like it. You could always sand, but that's a LOT of work. I would stick with the paint idea from Lunitec - send me a PM with your personal email and I'll forward all the images they sent including a PDF and contact info. That's the direction I think you should head. But, whatever you do, post images and let us know the who's, what's, when's, where's, why's and especially how's!

I think your work fantastic. Please let me know of any more additions to your car and especially the Lunitec Paint System - I'm very interested.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 11-13-2009).]

Sofa King NOV 13, 08:37 AM

quote
Originally posted by Monkeyman:

The power mirror joystick idea was mine from years ago except I used one out of a Ford Escort. If you look in Ogres Cave (link is at the bottom of every page), you'll see my write up on it. Might help you a bit with the wiring.



Hi M,

Hey, great minds think alike, huh? My inspiration came from sitting in a parking lot waiting for something... I'm not sure what it was exactly, when I happen to look over at a Pontiac Grand Am. I saw the power mirror switch and then the little light turned on in my head. It was a very dim light... but it did turn on. Needless to say I got very excited. I'll have to wait on the power mirrors though. I don't have all the necessary parts yet... like the power mirrors. That'll wait till next year.

I'll definately look at the post to see how everything wired up - thanks for the info.

G
Sofa King NOV 13, 08:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by revin:

put your fiberglass mat on a piece of wax paper. it won't stick to it and makes a smooth finish = less sanding

when the wax paper is on there use a roller to roll out the bubbles!

the console looks a little thin<? maybe another round of glass???

looks good so far!



Hi R,

Thanks for the great info. It never even dawned on me to use wax paper - good call. What a difference between the fiberglass cloth and fiberglass mat. It's worlds aparts. The cloth is great for patch work, but the cloth is just so much better for larger pieces.

You are correct. The console is still a bit thin is most areas. I'm going to lay one more layer down, 2 more in some areas. I hope to have the console bondo'd, sanded and the lid cut before the weekend is over - that's the goal...

Wish me luck.

G