i wanted to make a one off dash for my lincoln but wanted to know if there are any secrets to making a custom fibergl*** dash i saw people shape them out of foam blocks but how do you get the gl*** on the foam wouldnt it melt?? i pretty on clear about the hole process and would like some pointers
You use closed cell foam; you should be able to find some thrown away at funeral homes or buy some at florists. You can get mixes but it's eaiser to use solid blocks (skipping the step of mixing & making it). You shape it with a "cheese grater" (made for cutting bondo) & sandpaper (40 & 80 grit). then you mix fibergl*** resin & dip the mat in it & apply it to the form (or you can use a paint brush to spread the resin, but it's slower). Once setup you sand & smooth out the gl*** (using bondo if nessasary) & prime it & "block" it like any body panel & paint it. Lotsa work, but worth it if you're looking for a really unique shape. For a really nice peice instead of painting the part you can pull a mold off of it using gelcoat & resin/mat & then make a nice part out of the mold, again using gelcoat & resin/mat. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver" If guns cause crime, all of mine are defective.
Mr Gambino first off big fan of your work i love your wifes pontiac i heard you once had a similar one ? pics? Any way i dont think it would turn out as good in steel as it would in fibergl*** not to mention it is a 63 lincoln and it already ways 3 tons i wanted to put bucket seats in it and have the insterments in the middle of the dash going verticly down the center console thaen finish it in the body color
thanks paul realy informitive thanks. why would funral homes have foam? is it for the floaral arangements?
Michael's craft store has green floral foam too, I have seen it in 6 packs of like 3x3x6 or so blocks, I can't exactly remember how much, I wanna say a few bucks, might need a couple packs and might have to glue them together.
Here is a link to a site with pictures and a description of how I made the hood scoop and air intake for our Bonneville car. http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/hooley/hooley-construction-2005-1.html This is the ugliest piece of fibergl*** that I have ever made but it is functional. The method I used to make it is similar to what has been mentioned in the post. I did incorporate some flat fibergl*** panels that I precut from sheet. This was an attempt to save time and materials but I am not sure it helped a lot. You will notice a piece or two of the green florist foam. I bought the foam at Hobby Lobby and it is very easy to work. After I had the shape laid up on the foam I broke out the foam and then cleaned up the area with my hand held sandblaster. I make a lot of stuff out of fibergl***, so if you have questions, just ask. There are several sources for information and supplies on the net.
Take a look at this link. It details building a custom dash http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/fibergl***-tutorial-52028.html
Polyester resin will dissolve cheap Styrofoam, unless you seal it with white glue or latex paint. When you are finished,you can disolve the foam from the back,with acetone,leaving just the fiberglas. Or use Urethane foam: http://www.rqriley.com/frp-foam.htm
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