Q: How difficult is it to fabricate a piece of interior trim out of fiberglass?

[Zim Hosein]

As the thread title says, I would like to fabricate a piece of interior trim out of fiberglass; I would like to make a custom mount for a ScanGuageII w/ the material, is it possible for a "newbie" to attempt?

Thanks in advance! :beer;

 

[GoSharks]

Depends on how easy it would be to make a negative (or positive) mold. Once you have a mold, it isn't bad assuming that there isn't too much/any detailing to be done.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Depends on how easy it would be to make a negative (or positive) mold. Once you have a mold, it isn't bad assuming that there isn't too much/any detailing to be done.

I didn't even think about making a mold GoSharks!

I'm guessing it would have to be made out of wood correct? If so, once the mold is made, I would just lay a few lawyers of fiberglass material alternating w/ resin between each layer right, or am I completely missing something else?

 

[GoSharks]

I'm guessing it would have to be made out of wood correct? If so, once the mold is made, I would just lay a few lawyers of fiberglass material alternating w/ resin between each layer right, or am I completely missing something else?

Doesn't have to be wood, just something with enough structure such that it won't deform when you're laying up the fiberglass. Plaster of paris could work, or even styrofoam.

Pretty much all you need to do is wet the fiberglass out in resin and layer it in. Use some kind of mold release though, it'll make your life much easier after the product cures.

I haven't actually done any fiberglass layup, but have with carbon fiber and Kevlar.

 

[manimal]

What pieces do you need and for what car? This smells like a good picture thread!!!


PICTS PICTS PICTS!!

 

[Safeway]

Here is a great guide showing how to make a fiberglass pod: http://bit.ly/xtRVAu

 

[Safeway]

That said, ... ^^^

I have made a few fiberglass subwoofer enclosures for an OEM look in the trunk. It isn't hard if you follow someone else's DIY picture guide. Here was the process:

1. Throw some plastic into the void to be filled.
2. Paint on a release agent.
3. Add a few layers of fiber and resin.
4. Remove and continue to glass the inside of the shape.
5. Buy a flush-mount ring and use temporary supports to place.
6. Stretch a piece of fabric over the flush-mount ring and attach to the fiberglass tub.
7. Add more fiberglass over the resin-hardened cloth.
8. Basically done.

For a pod, ...

1. Make a block the same size as the ScanGauge.
2. If the pod will sit on something, you can lay up the fiberglass base to get the contours.
3. Add the block to the base.
4. Use fabric to get smooth lines.
5. Glass on top of the fabric.
6. Sand, Bondo, smooth, whatever.
7. Paint, texture, carpet, whatever.

I would suggest trying to get some type of "frame" that you can use to box in the ScanGauge compartment. You won't be able to get super smooth around the display using only fiberglass. Maybe you can find a rectangular piece of aluminum or plastic that will nicely trim out the display opening?

 

[Safeway]

This is pretty slick too:

 

[Safeway]

And here is exactly what you want to do:

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/scangauge-2-custom-mount-166118.html?t=166118

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

cool stuff! Im going to have to do this to mount a boost guage soon. Thanks for the info Safeway!

 

[Zim Hosein]

Doesn't have to be wood, just something with enough structure such that it won't deform when you're laying up the fiberglass. Plaster of paris could work, or even styrofoam.

Pretty much all you need to do is wet the fiberglass out in resin and layer it in. Use some kind of mold release though, it'll make your life much easier after the product cures.

I haven't actually done any fiberglass layup, but have with carbon fiber and Kevlar.

PofP or Styrofoam would work? :awe: Since it's such a small piece to fabricate, working w/ those materials would be easier than wood. The tip of mold release is yet another factor I overlooked!

Cheers GoSharks! :beer;

 

[Safeway]

PofP or Styrofoam would work? :awe: Since it's such a small piece to fabricate, working w/ those materials would be easier than wood. The tip of mold release is yet another factor I overlooked!

Cheers GoSharks! :beer;

Great. You overlooked all my posts.

 

[Pulsar]

Go buy the pink or blue styrofoam from you local home depot or lowes. Sand it to the correct shape. Lay your fiberglass on it, then wet it out with epoxy. Sand with 250. Wet with epoxy. Sand with 250. Paint. Sand with 800. Paint. Sand with 800. Clearcoat. Install.

 

[Squisher]

Even I did kick panel speaker enclosures for my old pickup, so it can't be hard.

 

[Zim Hosein]

What pieces do you need and for what car? This smells like a good picture thread!!!

PICTS PICTS PICTS!!

I'm still in the researching stages manimal, but I'm looking to fabricate a custom holder for my ScanGuageII that does not require altering the dash at all; more of an "add-on" piece, but one that looks "factory."
It's for an '04 Mercury and I agree, if I decide that the fab work is worth it, I will definitely document the work w/ Pic's.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Here is a great guide showing how to make a fiberglass pod: http://bit.ly/xtRVAu

I am well aware of using Google Safeway.

 

[manimal]

I'm still in the researching stages manimal, but I'm looking to fabricate a custom holder for my ScanGuageII that does not require altering the dash at all; more of an "add-on" piece, but one that looks "factory."
It's for an '04 Mercury and I agree, if I decide that the fab work is worth it, I will definitely document the work w/ Pic's.

Sweet~!

 

[JCH13]

If you, or one of your friends, can do CAD you could model whatever you want to make and have it printed directly into plastic of whatever color you want. I could probably help you out with the modeling if you'd like.

A place like this could print it: http://www.rapidps.com/gallery.html

 

[alkemyst]

fabrication is more or less an art. Just like making a clay pot with a spinning wheel.

Some pull it off nice, and some don't.

Nice thing with this kind of thing is if you do it right you shouldn't screw up your existing interior and be able to try and try again on the bench.

Most don't realize the fumes though so if you don't have a real work area, that may seal the deal.