Using a razor blade I pressed material in place and used it as a guide and heatsink for the soldering iron. If the iron gets too hot it will cut right through the material, just want to melt the plastic a bit:
Once that's done it ends up looking like this:
Then I trimmed the edges, so they could be folded over:
Using spray interior trim adhesive I secured each corner down:
Here's how the corners came out:
I then did the same thing with the rest of the material, you need a piece of cardboard or something to keep from getting adhesive on the exposed material:
Finished item:
[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 09-19-2008).]
Hi Xanth, carpet is really looking good. If I could make a suggestion, I would recommend replacing the brake pedal rubber pad. That will complete the dressing up of the lower area, and make it look like new again.
Next, take an old toothbrush and your favorite cleaner and scrub the gas pedal. Make sure you put a rag under the pedal, to protect your nice new carpet! When it is clean, put some Armor-all or your favorite protectant on both pedals, and bingo! Your driver's side will look so good, you won't want to put your dirty shoes on it ever again! JK BTW used car dealers can tell at a glance how many miles are on the car... how bad is the brake pedal rubber worn?!
i may be doing a interior restoration on mine around christmas time as a christmas gift to mine.like the vinyl headliner in your car.
------------------ Korey 86 Pontiac Fiero SE gold on black bone stock 86 Buick Grand National bone stock 93 GMC Typhoon #1710 black on black bone stockl
Damn! Want to convert my interior to black to match my seats (and steering wheel)? Get all the materials and a price and I'll gladly pay you to do the install on my car. I would like some sound-deadening too... I'm only a 40 minute drive away.
[This message has been edited by lou_dias (edited 09-23-2008).]
Hi Xanth, carpet is really looking good. If I could make a suggestion, I would recommend replacing the brake pedal rubber pad. That will complete the dressing up of the lower area, and make it look like new again.
Next, take an old toothbrush and your favorite cleaner and scrub the gas pedal. Make sure you put a rag under the pedal, to protect your nice new carpet! When it is clean, put some Armor-all or your favorite protectant on both pedals, and bingo! Your driver's side will look so good, you won't want to put your dirty shoes on it ever again! JK BTW used car dealers can tell at a glance how many miles are on the car... how bad is the brake pedal rubber worn?!
Armor-All? On the pedals? What?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
------------------ Adam 1984 Sport Coupe Auto., 130,~~~ miles, bad duke 1985 Sport Coupe 5 Speed, 55,000 original miles 1987 GT Auto., 154,000 miles, partial daily driver 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 5" lift, 35" tires, partial daily driver 1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago 920 1975 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, 25,000 original miles 1963 Buick Electra 225 1936 Dodge Two-door Touring Sedan
Well, now, I did say "...or your favorite protectant". And if you buff the pads off after applying, they look like new rubber AND they are not slippery. I thought you all knew that. My bad.
Not good enough for use in the car yet, but it does get me a base to improve from. I need to get the hardener mixed better, as well as the mold needs some reinforcing. The resin didn't hold the small grooves well because it failed to harden properly, and the mold warps a bit. I expect the next mold/piece will be a significant improvement over this one.
I do however now know that the idea will work, the end product of which will be a backlit performance sound trim.
What kind of material is the clear "stuff" you used????
What would you add to this material, while setting up, to add color yet still be translucent?
The clear is a transparent resin I picked up at art supply store. Its a clear resin + a catalyst you mix in. I am not certain what to use if you want to color the resin itself. I'm working with a co-worker of mine who is experienced with making these types of castings, I'll have to ask him about it.
Silicone...you want to make an open pour mold with silicone. They should sell the blue RTV silicone for casting at Hobby Lobby or something like that. Since your not encapulating the part you should be able to make a quick mold with no bubles out of that blue stuff. You will get a perfect part every time. I have been casting parts using Silicone and Urethane for the past 5 years, it is great stuff.
