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yearzero777 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2012 Posts: 239 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject: DIY Fiberglass Console? (With Pix) |
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So i'm wondering how hard it is to play with fiberglass? Anyone had newbie experiance?
Here's what I want to make....
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Big Hoss Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011 Posts: 215 Location: NJ
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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My wife says you should take that to a shop and have it sprayed with Rhino-Liner! It should last a long time and be strong enough to lay your fiberglass matting on to form it. How's that for newbie experience? _________________ 70 & 77 Bugs, 71 & 72 Supers
Current bug:1970 |
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scratchs68 Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2009 Posts: 359 Location: hamilton, new jersey
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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empi makes consoles that look something close to what you have already made. By time you buy everything you need to make one you maybe better off buy one. Fiberglass is nasty stuff and takes alot time and skill. You could always build it out of wood and wrap it it carpet or speaker grill cloth which is much easier to work with. Good luck |
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yearzero777 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2012 Posts: 239 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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scratchs68 wrote: |
empi makes consoles that look something close to what you have already made. By time you buy everything you need to make one you maybe better off buy one. Fiberglass is nasty stuff and takes alot time and skill. You could always build it out of wood and wrap it it carpet or speaker grill cloth which is much easier to work with. Good luck |
I have this theory that when our parents said we can do anything if we put our mind to it and learn, then anything is possible. Hell, I never thought I would rebuild a Beetle, but after 4 months, she's almost done!!
If this goes well then i'm thinking a fiberglass headliner with a monitor is in the works!! |
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flyboat Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2010 Posts: 2752 Location: Bath NC
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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all your corners are too sharp for fiberglass. Use what you have as patterns and get some 1/4" plywood from Lowes and replicate it and then you can round the edges with sandpaper and then cover it with vinyl or spray it with Rhino lining or something like that. If you cover it in vinyl, cover it in 1/4" foam first.
Here's mine. Not quite complete
_________________ 79 super Vert
62 Ragtop Bug
66 tintop Westy
Porsche 914
09 Z06 Vette track car |
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yearzero777 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2012 Posts: 239 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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scratchs68 wrote: |
empi makes consoles that look something close to what you have already made. By time you buy everything you need to make one you maybe better off buy one. Fiberglass is nasty stuff and takes alot time and skill. You could always build it out of wood and wrap it it carpet or speaker grill cloth which is much easier to work with. Good luck |
I have this theory that when our parents said we can do anything if we put our mind to it and learn, then anything is possible. Hell, I never thought I would rebuild a Beetle, but after 4 months, she's almost done!!
If this goes well then i'm thinking a fiberglass headliner with a monitor is in the works!! |
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Steeze Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Oak Harbor, WA
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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I have done a lot of fiberglass and your design is going to be very difficult to do especially for a beginner. However if you do decide to go for it tape the entire piece up with masking tape... then coat the piece with regular car wax. The wax acts as a releasing agent for the resin. Paint on a nice thick coat of resin and apply the glass... do a couple coats that way. When it's dry the glass should lift right off your mold.
I should also say though your console would be better made out of wood. That would be a very difficult piece to do even for a pro. |
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yearzero777 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2012 Posts: 239 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Steeze wrote: |
I have done a lot of fiberglass and your design is going to be very difficult to do especially for a beginner. However if you do decide to go for it tape the entire piece up with masking tape... then coat the piece with regular car wax. The wax acts as a releasing agent for the resin. Paint on a nice thick coat of resin and apply the glass... do a couple coats that way. When it's dry the glass should lift right off your mold.
I should also say though your console would be better made out of wood. That would be a very difficult piece to do even for a pro. |
I plan on making it in a few pieces. The majoity of the console, plus large storage space.... Then mold the cup holders, and dremel to fit, then apply more fiberglass to strengthen the console.... Then paint.... I'm thinking red with LED'sin the cup holders and storage..... Not many. Found out these little 2.5V LED's aren't for the weary! _________________ '71 Super Beetle Tech Edition(Sold Dec.2012)
'81 Yamaha Virago XV750 (Sold)
'74 Honda CB550 Four
'96 Chevy Tahoe LT
'98 Nissan Altima SE |
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Robbo112233 Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2011 Posts: 817 Location: London, UK
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Jamies74sb Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2011 Posts: 398 Location: Fresno ca
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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Just do it if it comes out good keep it not like your going to to sell them it's your time . Show everybody u can do it . |
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yearzero777 Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2012 Posts: 239 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Jamies74sb wrote: |
Just do it if it comes out good keep it not like your going to to sell them it's your time . Show everybody u can do it . |
That's the spirit!! I like you already James _________________ '71 Super Beetle Tech Edition(Sold Dec.2012)
'81 Yamaha Virago XV750 (Sold)
'74 Honda CB550 Four
'96 Chevy Tahoe LT
'98 Nissan Altima SE |
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Steeze Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2012 Posts: 26 Location: Oak Harbor, WA
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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It's definitely possible...
I will suggest some body filler to smooth it all out. Bondo's fine for this application.
Good luck with it.. remember to wear latex gloves and as a tip I like to masking tape the handles of my tools. It makes for an easy clean up....
Im not trying to discourage you... take your time and enjoy it. |
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LeviMan2001 Samba Post Whore
Joined: April 11, 2009 Posts: 3855 Location: Alaska
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Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 1:27 am Post subject: |
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flyboat wrote: |
all your corners are too sharp for fiberglass. Use what you have as patterns and get some 1/4" plywood from Lowes and replicate it and then you can round the edges with sandpaper and then cover it with vinyl or spray it with Rhino lining or something like that. If you cover it in vinyl, cover it in 1/4" foam first.
Here's mine. Not quite complete
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That is a seriously awesome dash!!! Some day I'd really like to build a different dash for my super. I've been thinking about cutting the gauge pod and widening it to fit two standard speedos then converting one of them to a tachometer. _________________ http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=366056 - My '73 Super Build. 2332cc, 16" Fuchs |
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