Don't know why I haven't thought to offer this before.
I'm referring to the dash parts, like some people do in wood grain, and they use laminate-the stereo/heat/ac contol area, shift surround etc. We throw away LOTS & LOT of drops everyday, in a variety of colors. Wood grain-metallic-solid color-just about anything you can imagine. We currently are using a laminate that is actually aluminum, thermally applied to a backer. It' called alumasteel. Has a faint, straight 'grain' to it. We alo have some 'brushed aluminum, which has a swirl pattern to it, much like if you were to take a rotaary sander to a piece of aluminum, press down, then move over the diameter of the sanding disc and do it again, throughout the entire surface. This is NOT plastic, it is true alum, but with a glueable phenolic backer. The drops will be large enough for dash parts, not full sheets. The plain alumasteel drops are fairly plentiful-the swirl is in limited supply, as we keep the large pieces. (It costs us $300 for a 4' X 8' sheet)

Now, we Do have lots of regular plastic laminates, like brushed pewter, yellow, dark blue, black, all woodgrains known to man, etc . If anyone has an interest or need for any of this, post here or PM me, and I'll try to give you a link to some sample pictures. I also have some 1/8" tinted plexiglas drops, about 8" x 12", maybe a little larger. Any of this, I'll gladly cut to size for you.
Did I say it would be free-availability permitting?

(Let's not be selfish-if more than one person wants any of it, I'll split it up, so everyone who wants some gets enough for their project, rather than giving it all to one or 2 people--play nice-share)

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 05-01-2004).]

Interested in the "Aluma-steel" for my 86SE with aux guages and shift surround.

^^^

me too
i would like enough to do the the main gauges, the aux. gauges, heater/radio cover and the shifter Bezel please

------------------

Rich AIM: ONE FAST 2M8
white-- 86se V6 daily driver
Gold--- 86se 355 SBC

[This message has been edited by $Rich$ (edited 05-01-2004).]

if i could see some pics i might be interested in several types including the tinted stuff. spanks

Can you get any pictures of the alumasteel?

I'll take some plexiglass. Have any pics? You can PM or email them to me.

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My Web page

very interested...PM sent

very interested in the alumasteel or something along the color of silver or grey.

Thanks,

Ben

How thick are the wood grain laminates? Do they have an adhesive backing? I could use some pics of the wood grains. This isn't for a Fiero as I sold mine last year but for my Jimmy. If you'd rather not send any my way because of that I'll understand.

Dave

WOW! What a generious offer. It just so happens that I'm looking for wood grain to match a 68 Camaro console (Not sure what wood, yet) and a 69 Firebird dash and console (burlwood). If you have a link, please let me know.

------------------
Roy

double-click on this link to follow my interior build-up https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/023174.html

Blue 87 GT w/ 4th generation Firebird interior.
Suncoast Fieros

Judged "Best Custom Interior" at the 20th Anniversary Show @ Pontiac, Mich - 7/2003
Judged "Best Custom Interior" at the 8th Annual Fiero Fun Weekend @ Daytona - 3/2004

Maryjane,
First the headliner material and now this. Kudos to you!

MJ your a class act.
Sent you a PM.

Wow-more reponse than I expected. We work with so much of this, I forget it isn't just laying around everyone workplace. I literally threw away hundreds of full 4'x8', 5'x8', and 4'x10' sheets last year, when we went thru the warehouse and got rid of all the stuff we no longer have use for. I'll try to answer a few questions, from both here & the pm's.

I would NOT recommend you use any of this in the engine compartment, due to the backer, that is made on to the alum. It will burn, and perhaps melt.

1. Thickness-3 common thicknesses. .025(postform)-.030(vertical)-.050(standard). Term in parenthess is for the way it is made, not how common it is. It is all known as HPL. (Hi Pressure Laminate) Not all color/shades/types are available in all thicknesses. What we use depends what we are doing with it, and what the end user wants. The metallic lam is .030.
2. The alumasteel is flexible, and will not break, as the plastic lam does. It bends. If you bend it sharply enough, it will stay like that, with a crease in it, since it is real anodized alum, with a backer made onto it. NONE of the lams are self adhesive. It looks almost identical to the top left picture here:
http://www.tapeease.com/anodized.htm

Also have a couple of sheets of textured metal (alum) hpl. (raised 1/4" 'dots'-can't remember what color it is-metallic of some sort)
3. The swirl is similar to the interior of the '81 trans am, but with larger swirls, not the little swirls that Pontiac used. I never measured them, but I'm guessing they are 5" in diameter. We use it on large displays, so the customer wants something larger to be in proportion.
http://www.ambiencedore.com/images/custom/cornerstonefurniture/arc-swirl-alum.jpg
4. wood grains-so many colors and grains, I couldn't begin to list them all, but here are a few. These are all plastic 'formica' type lams-not real veneers.
Light colors:
honey maple-has a 'birdseye' appearance.
manitoba maple-straight grain.
Vermont maple-straight grain
Suomi birch-straight grained with some swirl.
Sanibel maple
Pine-self explanatory

med shades:
Taj Teak
vicuna oak
solar oak
natural pearwood-straight grained, with some knot appearance.
pearwood-straight grained
Fusion maple-straight grained
golden oak

dark shades:
figured mahogany
Windsor oak
Vicuna oak

I know these names don't tell you much, if you don't work with the stuff everyday.
We use many different suppliers, (Wilsonart, Formica, etc), and each has it's own trade name
for any particular shade, and some are discontinued, so some won't show up on these links. Pick one out, let me know, and I'll tell you if we have it. DO NOT EMAIL ME. My email is set to delete anything not in my address book, and I'll never see it. Go to the following sites, click on "pattern name" or "category", and pick out your choice, & I'll tell you if I can get it.
http://www.wilsonart.com/laminate/consumer/products/index.asp

http://www.formica.com/home.jsp

Sizes: For ease in shipping and my limited time (worked 70 hrs this week), I prefer to cut one size for each dash part. It will be oversized 1" in each dimension. Each will be 'in square', and no chipped edges. I will NOT cut pieces large enough to do door panels right now. You wll have to hape them yourself. I do have a cnc program to do it with, but our machines are tied up 24/7 for the forseeable future. Buisness is booming-finally. (did I say Martha Stewart can rot in hades?)
1 piece for the main gage instrument panel
1 piece for the stereo/a/c surround
1 piece for the shift surround
1 piece for aux gauge pod (I need a size on this-my 84s don't have one)
1 extra of the largest piece, to practce with, or in case you make a mistake.
(yes Monkeyman, I will send you stuff for a Jimmy.)
5. Plexiglas (acrylic) Plexiglas is a trade name for acrylic, just as Lexan is a trade name for polycarbonate. They are not the same thing. plexi ha just become a standard term for all this type material. Polycarbonate is more expensive, but works easier. I have acrylic-no poly. Tint is bronze colored, with peel off paper protectant covering. 1/8" thickness.
If you need advise on how to work with any of the material, LMK. I do it almost everyday.
(hint) a small router does wonders with both hpl and 'plexi.

Now--I cannot accept any $$ for any of this (wouldn't if I could). Don't even offer-not even shipping costs. Please be patient tho. My time & $$ are limited. My employer/boss is very good about allowing me to have drops of this, but with 2 hard & fast rules.
1. I have to show him what I am taking home. Otherwise, it's stealing, even if we are going to throw it away.
2. No one can resale any of it. (this will result in my immediate termination). This is one of the reasons I won't send large quantities to any one person.

Next week, I can bring home a set of 'chips' that we use to verify the shades/patterns, and scan any particular one for you, but I do not have the ability to post pics on pff.
Don

I have also sent you a PM.

Almost forgot-please specify which way you want the grain to run on any particular piece, (unless you want solid colors). (with the length or with the width)
Solid colors available: (all plastic laminates)
about 5 different shades of white-includes glossy.
several different shades of black(may have some glossy in this)
several different shades of grey(very light-to very dark)
Bright, but not glossy yellow
Red-no glossy
Dark blue
Forest green-dark

have a buttload of hpl that looks like patined copper.
Several differnt shades of marble & granite.
brushed pewter(look metallic, but it's plastic. (listed on the Wilsonart website) The picture there doesn't do it justice IMO.
also have Brushed Maroochy (Wisonart) IMO-an ugly yellow looking shade.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 05-01-2004).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Almost forgot-please specify which way you want the grain to run on any particular piece, (unless you want solid colors). (with the length or with the width)

I think most would want the grain to go side to side so the peices sorta flow together. That is what I would want to do. But then again I might even just say THWI and fab my own Dash out of REAL Wood :-)

You got a pm... this is awesome!

------------------
1986 Fiero SE

hi sent pm about plexiglass thanks.......

quote Originally posted by Kento: But then again I might even just say THWI and fab my own Dash out of REAL Wood :-)

Perfectly understandable!!! If I had any real veneer, I'd offer it, but I don't have any. Sorry.

hi got your pm sent address........thansk.................

Hi maryjane,
This is great! Thanks for helping us out. I'd be intersted in any of these:
Taj Teak
figured mahogany
Windsor oak
Vicuna oak
(All with the grain running horizontal to the floor.)
Thanks,
Scott

MaryJane you have a PM.

------------------
fast and reckless

Someone please measure the aux gauge pod for me.
Thanks

I'll be right back with measurements of the AUX pod. It's kinda trapezoidal, so I'll just give you the largest distance horizontally - vertically is same all the way across.

------------------

Ohhhhhh yeahhhh!

maryjane did some stuff for me awhile back. I can't say enough good things about him & his work. Thanks again Don

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1985 3.4L Coupe/1984 SE

I hope everyone understands these are just blanks-NO MACHINING. I don't have time, nor do I have machine availability due to a tremendous workload on our CNCs right now. Most people have requested the straight grained alumasteel. I will fill these requests in the order I received them, either here or PM. Should I run out of Alumasteel drops, I will fill the remaining requests the next time we have a run of that material. All woodgrain and solid laminates will be cut this week, and sent out cheapest method (USPS parcel post), next weekend, as will the alumasteel, & plexi, unless of course-I run out of Alumasteel. Here's what you will get:

2 pcs 5 1/2" X 8 1/2"--for door handle plates.
2 pcs 7" X 3 1/2"--A/C vents
1 pc 8 1/4" X 14"--Instrument gage panel bezel
1 pc 10" X 10"--stereo & a/c/htr control bezel
1 pc 12" X 10"--shift surround
1 pc 4 1/2" X 8"--inset for pwr window/defogger sw plate, or blank plate if you lack that option.
1 pc 6 1/2" X 14"--glove box
1 pc 4" X 10"--aux gage pod
1 or 2 pcs-14" X 14"--practice/setup pcs

These are all oversized by @ least 1" in both directions.
The grain will be running the last dimension. For instance, the ac vent pcs will have the grain running left to right, across the 3 1/2" dimension.

Now, a suggestion:
Several other members have access to CNCs. Sluppy for one. If you think you will have trouble machining out the shape or openings, contact one of these people. If I were going to do this at home, I would do it like this:
1. Acquire 1 sheet of 1/4" X 4' X 8' mdf (about $8 at Lowes)
2. Cut it into the blank sizes.
3. Using the actual parts from the interior, trace out the size, shape, and openings, including any mounting holes. Remember to make the screw holes large enough to remove the torx head screws, (unless you intend to use other fasteners, on top of the laminate.)Otherwise, you wont be able to attach & remove the bezels once the lam is applied. 4. Cut out the shape and openings in the mdf template with a scroll saw or good jigsaw, & drill the holes. This way, you are working off the template, not your actual Fiero part. Check your pattern by holding it in place on it's appropriate location on the dash interior area.

5. Using double sided tape, and I suggest 3M, since it will peel easier when you are done, attach your lam blank to the template--GOOD SIDE DOWN!! If you attach it good side up, the finish will probably chip badly when you drill thru it, even with a backing board under it. I know what I'm talking about here. Use only enough tape to hole it in place. Except for the Alumasteel, the lam will break if you aren't careful when peeling it off the mdf. USE THE PRACTICE PIECES 1ST-THAT'S WHY I'M SENDING THEM.
6. The shape & openings-I use a small router, with a bearing bit or laminate trimmer bit. The bearing will 'ride' along on the mdf template, and allow the cutting surface to cut the exact shape you have cut into the template. Drill a hole in the center of each opening to start the bit into, so you don't break the lam all to peices.You may also use a dremel, or rotozip tool. I've also used a laminate trimming bit very successfully. They are about $6-$8 at any good building supply. You can see one here:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004T7JS.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
7. Be very careful peeling the lam off, and use sandpaper to smooth up any imperfections.
8. Attaching to your bezels-I recommend using double sided tape at 1st, to make sure it's something you really want to look at all the time. If you are happy with it, use any adhesive you want.
If you want it on permanently, brush or spray contact cement on the bezel, and the lam-let it tack up then press the 2 pieces together. To position it correctly, place several small diameter wooden rods a few inches apart, on the bezel, to hold the 2 glued surfaces apart. When in exact position, slide the center rod out, and press the lam down, then slide the other rods out, and press the rest of the surface down. It will bond INSTANTLY!! It's now there forever.

If you wish to, use a water based glue. This way, you don't need the rods, and you can move the lam around a little before the glue sets up. This may also allow you to remove the inlay later if you want to go back to oem, but I can't guarantee you will still have a good bezel.


Don

------------------
Semper Fi
1. 84 SE auto
2. 84 SE 4 spd

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 05-02-2004).]

id like to try the regualr alumasteel

i kinda wanna try the swirled alumasteel but i dont know how well it would look

now witch fiero to do this on?

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Carbed 2.9 engine build in progress. forged pistons, crane cam, fully balanced, ARP bolts, double roller timing chain and more
--Adam--
IM AOL: FieroGT5speed

BUMP!

I've answered a few pms about this yesterday & today, but I will repeat it here. I thought last week would be a slow week at work but it wasn't at all, so I'm running a little behind. Got all the requested sheets pulled out of the non inventory pile and have started cutting it, but not nearly through with it. I have each of your names, addresses and requests printed out and saved to Word, as the total # of requests went way over the max allowed PM's. I will pm or email each of you as I mail the peices out. Appreciate the patience, but I do have to do what the boss sezs.
Don

Who's going to be the first to use this one??? Fiero5 ???

Did you get my PM maryjane?

------------------
fast and reckless

thanks, i hope im on your list
im looking Forward to getting somthing differant in the interior

------------------
Rich AIM: ONE FAST 2M8
white-- 86se V6 daily driver
Gold--- 86se 355 SBC

How do people who are asking for this stuff plan on cutting it so it can be used?

Put me down for the alumasteel. I think I will use a Dremell to shape it using a template like maryjane suggested.

I'm interested.

Alumasteel would be my first choice and then the aluminum.

And thanks again for this generous offer.

pics once someone tries it...

Pretty cool of you to do this.

You don't have any of the laminate style/color featured here, do you?
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/020021.html
I just needed a few pieces to complete the set. I have a set identical to these, but am missing the GT gauges section and the shifter section is damaged. I looked all around for the correct color, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Please send me an E-mail if you have it. Thanks!

Thanks.

quote Originally posted by California Kid: Who's going to be the first to use this one??? Fiero5 ???

Hmmmmmmm, let me think on that for awhile j/k LOL