A Few Updates...

Nothing major. I had a lot of personal issues to take care of this weekend - very stressful. But I was able to spray several coats of matte clear finish on to the console. I have to admit that the black paint just makes the console pop especially when the lid is placed on. I can't get over how well it came out. All I will say is this - just when you think you've done enough sanding, there's usually more to do.



Side by Side - Console Part II


Straight On


I love this angle!


A few stray dust particles found their way on to the clear coat - no worries


Another great angle with the lid


One more - as you can see on Console Part II I'm beginning to get all the measuring done


If there is nothing going on this evening I'll be wet sanding the lid, spraying a high gloss clear and then prepping for the felt liner.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-25-2010).]

quote Originally posted by grkboy707: Your not going to cover it in leather/ vinyl? It seems like that would be a much more efficient way. You wouldn't need to fill in the imperfections, you wont need to worry about scratching the paint, etc. Just my .02. It turned out great though!

Hey G,

The plan is to paint the console (not the lid) and part of the armrest using the Lederoptik German Paint System. I've considered covering it but I think the paint system will work much better because I can get around compound curves and hard to reach areas without the material binding up, coming loose or looking too bulky. The spray system is a 3 part process. You spray a base coat and let it sit for 5-10 minites. Then spray the texture coating and let that sit. Finally, you spray the "leather touch" coating. It's a fantastic product but not available in the US just yet. Here's are a few examples and the website -

http://www.lederoptik.de/index.php?id=32&L=1

Examples I received from the German company:






My favorite!

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-25-2010).]

Hey G,

I created a quick image of how the Lunitec Paint System will look on my console.The nice thing about the texture paint is that not only is it thin but it also hide any imperfections or areas I might have missed. I will be thrilled if it turns out like this!


I created a few more to see what it would look like with the saddle interior



With all black armrest


Enjoy

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-25-2010).]

Hey All,

Some updates:

I grabbed the lid, a piece of 1000 grit sand paper and set up for some lite sanding. On the lid I used a laquer high gloss paint. I wanted to see how smooth I could get the surface using the 1000 grit paper. Check it out:

Materials


This is how the lid looked after 5 minutes of wet sanding - you can still the orange peel


I then took some regular clear coat safe polish to get that mirror finish...


Check it out - Right Side is sanded, Left Side is after I used the polish. Nice... There is still a little "orange peel" but you get the idea


Another


After that test I went ahead and lightly sanded down the entire lid. I cleaned and washed the polish off and gave it good dry off. I then gave 3 coats of white gloss


Once this dries I will then spray 5 coats of clear with light sanding in between each coat for that mirror finish. You have to be very careful when sanding that you don't sand past the clear or color coats. If that happens it's back to the beginning. I'm probably going to use 1500 grit once the clear coat is sprayed - better safe than sorry

I then found the felt I had purchased at the local fabric store - talk about having to "man up"...


I'm not sure how to approach this - should I try doing one piece or several pieces? The lack of spray mount forced me to think this process a little more. I'll get some spray mount tomorrow.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 01-26-2010).]

quote Originally posted by Sofa King: Hey P, OH YEAH! I forgot about the taxes... that's where the price killed us! My favorite color interior has always been tan (leather in particular). There's just something about tan that gives any car a very luxurious look and feel. But that's just my opinion. I didn't mean to get your creative juices flowing. I know you've got the XTC engine to replace and a few other projects lined up. So, from now on. You are not allowed to read any more posts except your own. GOT IT?! Nah, just kidding. I need your input and your vision to keep me motivated and on the right track. When you say "thinking" of a new interior for your car... are you considering changing the color?

My 88 Formula has the Beechwood interior. It is getting a little rough as most Fiero interiors get. The rear console is faded badly - it's almost a pink color and the usual warping. The headliner is shot too so I am going to need to redo the interior. After drooling over your pic above of the tan with black arm rest, well - I want that for my Formula! Once I finish the mold I am building out of foam core, I will lay on the glass to make a plug that I can hopefully, produce a couple consoles from. My plan is a "base" model that I can add components too to create different looks. I'll need one for each Fiero. The shift and rear will be one piece and I will incorparate (ideas stolen form Sofa King cause I have limitied vision). To finish off each "look" I will have to fab 3 different AC surrounds or for the XTC, a complete dash that incorporates the AC Surround as close to the concept design you did awhile back. That is if I can get the rest of the crap I have to do done...... On ward and upward! Now get busy on those door panels.

Pat

Edit to add: This is the one that I think I need for the Formula but I'm thinking either a lighter tan/brown or black for the lid!

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 01-26-2010).]