My 88 Formula Interior Redesign (Page 32/87)
katatak JAN 16, 11:50 AM
Hey Greg,

Looking good. I hate them damn pin holes. I picked up some "glazing" putty at AZ - it's in a tube and is very thin. I found that it works great for filling in the pin holes. One trick I learned was to make sure that all the sanding dust is cleaned out of the pin holes. Other wise, the putty will come out of the holes. I picked up some "cleaner" in an aerosol can - for prepping the surface - it has a degreaser/wax cleaner. I make sure I blast the pin holes real good. So far - so good. Cuts down on the fill and sand time.

Pat
Sofa King JAN 16, 07:14 PM
P,

Good call! I have a bottle of mineral spirits that should work - I just forget to wipe the glass down before primer. DUHHHHH...

Anywho... OK, guys... what do you think of this idea? Many of you have seen this sketch with the concept window, trunk, etc buttons to the left and right of the shifter


I really like this concept but the buttons are not true to the original design of the car - I was inspired by the new Ferrari 458. So, I began to think about all the different buttons GM used in their cars since the 70's and 80's.

And then I remembered these different types of buttons - but notice the chome bevelled swicthes - HOW COOL


Now think about this for a second... The buttons would still be mounted to the left & right of the shifter but it would be a stock GM piece and bring a little bit of chrome into the cabin! I could then chrome the door handles to reflect the chrome buttons and bring balance to the design. AND, I'm still staying within the correct time period of the car.

I'm still thinking about it, but I think it's a cool idea. I'm going to have to come up with a quick sketch to see if it will work.
hksteck84 JAN 18, 09:44 AM
looking good..
grkboy707 JAN 18, 10:28 AM
YES! UPDATES! I love it! Great work!
Sofa King JAN 18, 11:53 AM
UPDATES!

I got started on the Radio and A/C bezel of the new dash. Just a simple foam core mock up. I also worked on the armrest and cup holder. I'll post much updates before the day is through!

Cutting the foam core and beginning to tape together


I then measured and cut the lines for the first of two curves on the bezel


Test fit


Looking where upper curve cuts begin - Hi Tucker!


Then scribed with an X-Acto


Test Fit before tape


I started to tape at the bottom and then worked my way up. Knowing that the tape would not fit directly to the curve I cut the tape at 1/2 inch intervals - these cuts enabled me to fold the tape and secure


Another


One side complete


On to the other side


Cuts made so tape would fit


All finished with the mock up...


Putting the pieces together


Now... where's that dash? This is nowhere near a final position. Very first thing I had to do is create a support piece for the dash where I can just slide the pieces in and out for easy viewing and modifications. As you can see there's a little too much space in between the bezel and the dash. However... so far so good!


One more - I'm wondering if the upper part is too high?


On to the armrest - I did a little more sanding and cut the lower front piece of the cupholder opening - I needed room for my fingers


Another view


Cup holder open


That's it for right now - LOTS MORE coming!

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-18-2010).]

Sofa King JAN 18, 12:25 PM
OK... this is a REALLY rough sketch of what the chrome window switches "might" look like along with the radio, A/C vents, etc. installed on the console. I don't have my 3D software available to me right now so... Like I said... REALLY ROUGH!!! But... what do you think?

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-18-2010).]

Sofa King JAN 18, 05:36 PM
A Few More Updates!

I was able to fill all the holes in the armrest. I'm going to finish sanding tomorrow after work. I'll cut the holes to mount to the armrest and then finish with a layer of paint.


I was able to sand this and shoot a layer of black paint to the console.


I shot a layer of paint on the lid.


WOW! A lot different from the primer I've been so used to looking at! Remember, the original plan was paint this black or dark grey. I like the black!


After an hour in the sun I mated the two back together - I still can't get used to how dark it is - I got so used to the primer!


I then shot another layer of white gloss to the lid. Check out that shine! I'm not too thrilled with the orange peel. I'm going to wet sand to a mirror like finish.


I begin disassembly of the door panel(s). I started with the passenger side. My instinct was to do the driver side first - but nope, do the passenger side first. That way I'll still be excited to do MY DOOR! LOL First step - remove the sound deadener


PFFFFT... this gonna be easy!


RIGHT! This process was a PITA! GM really adhered the carpet material to the thin pressed particle-board "panel". I had to use the X-Acto knife and slowly cut away at the carpet... ughhhhh... I was hoping to save this... yeah... forget about that.


I was very careful and took my time!


Another


Getting the edges


There were a few weak areas. I'm going to use Elmers wood glue and give the panel a quick coating. I'm not sure how I'm going to proceed just yet - I'm can't decide whether to take a fiberglass mold of the panel or just go forward with it and do great things...


There it is in all its naked glory! Believe it not the vinyl came off fairly easily. I took a pair of plyers and gently pulled the material off the particle-board.


That's it for tonight. Gonna relax and enjoy the quiet.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-19-2010).]

Sofa King JAN 18, 05:44 PM
Quick Update

OK. I know the front foam core bezel mock up doesn't match the sketch I created. The top of the panel I created using the foam core curves back toward the front of the dash as opposed to curving around the top as the sketched originally showed. I'm going to create a second bezel to match the sketch and see which version I like better. Remember, these plans are ever evolving, changing, morphing, etc and can become very frustrating... You have 20 ideas running through your head...

Anywho. That's it for tonight.
katatak JAN 19, 01:20 AM
Man Greg,

You've been busy. I love it. I was loosing motivation for my interior project but I am now fired up to get it done. I like the switches - at least the idea - still not sure about the switches themselves. Reminds me of an old Caddy. The console is looking great and the new mock up is even better. Your concept drawings are crazy but when you can see it come to life in your mock up..... That takes some talent my friend.

Pat
IVANNATINKLE JAN 19, 01:38 AM
wow !! cant wait till this is all done looks really good!!