Fiberglass ? ? ?

[el Chulisimo]

Hi people, I've been reading this forum for a while now, and i must say : "Good Job, keep it up"....now for my question, I've been doing audio installations for about 6 months now, (i'm an apprentice), I saw a a custom M3 by Alpine in which these guys fabricated a complete dashboard with audio integration, DVD, repositioned gauges, etc.

the link:

http://www.alpine1.com/html/m3-demo.htm

Now I understand that making a completely new dash and stuff is both time consuming and expensive, but what I'm looking for is any information on fiberglass modelling, building, both online and books....if u could post links or any info, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

PS. I just want to start on little "customized" pieces for my dash, for my own vehicle.

[el Chulisimo]

oh, I forgot to mention....

this for my 96 GMC 1500 4.3 L V6 ,

hehehehe

[NewbieZ71]

Welcome to the site!  We need a stereo guy!

[NeXuS1]

so you want to mold a whole new dash is that what i read?

i dont know if i would try that.. its one thing to make custom kicks.

that M3 is nice. but thats SOOO much work for something that probably wont get used being that its a demo car. it takes a lot of money/time and blood to do work like that. more then i would ever care to put into a project. specilally since i try and keep a stock appearence

(Edited by NeXuS1 at 10:35 pm on Aug. 22, 2001)

[96 Vortec]

Just so you understand where I am coming from, my truck was being built for Amature competition within IASCA when I moved away from my installer for a job.  My installer was one of my best friends and taught me everything I could ever want to know.  He attended Installer Institute in Florida.  He is one of the smartest and most knowledgable people I have ever known when it comes to stereos.  He is like a sponge that is willing to share everything he learns.

What you have to start with is a mold of the dash.  I have the same year truck, so I understand what you will have to start with.  I don't know if you are wanting to add on to the dash or start from scratch.  I would suggest adding on.  It will save you a lot of time and energy.  

I'm not going to say my methods are correct, but they have worked for me numerous times.  

When taking a mold of something, first coat it in masking tape.  the fiberglass will stick to the tape and not the panels you are molding.  Take your fiberglass matt and cut it into small squares. Then with a contained, taped area, mix your resin and hardener in a bucket. Then soak your small pieces of mat and apply them to the taped areas.  

You could also lay the mat into the area and paint the resin on in a thick first coat and two addition thin coats.  

I think the first method is better for tight spaces.

If you wanted to add something to part of the dash, say for instance a place to house a tv over the glove box, fist fab up the wood to make the housing.  Then, using the above methods add on to the edges of the wood until you are satisfied with what you have.  Then remove your creation and sand till you have cleaned up the excess fiberglass.  Use regular old Bondo to fill and smooth.  

I have made kickpanels and a center console that butted up to the dash of my 92 K1500 with the above methods with good results.

[NeXuS1]

wanna make me some kicks for my 95? the q-forms are such a waste of money.. 150 dollars for thin plastic.

[Steve Cornell]

Guys,

I do a lot of fiberglass fabrication work (check out my web site at http://www.rtol.net/scornell/ all of the panels in my Impala are custom formed from fiberglass, go to my web site and click on the "How Too" page and I have documented a process I use to fabricate fiberglass panels.

Steve