ok..i've re-done my car's interior,cept the headliner which i'd have to rip out and pretty much waste time installing if i'm going to chop it..my question now is,if i want to make a nice kustom trunk,what should i make the panels out of?this WHOLE part of the project is being done from scratch..i've got nothing but a primed bare metal trunk..i'm assuming i'll want to line the floor with a rubber matt before i lay down a carpet to prevent moisture problems..am i correct?i've made some templates out of cardboard for the side and back panels and i was wondering if you pros out there transfer them to wood or a stiffer cardboard or something else??i'll be wrapping them up in vinyl and carpet myself,so any tips would be appreciated.thanks! creepy
Make it so you can lift it all out, no permanant gluing of anything, so you can put it out in the sun to dry WHEN the back window leaks into the trunk well... They all do ya know...
DON'T rip the headliner, take it out carefully cuz you'll want to keep the bows in order...even if you chop it you'll need to put it back in. Prime the trunk floor with an epoxy primer, spray on some Lizardskin or undercoating, then glue carpet underlayment down, then carpet over that. For the side panels, use Masonite and glue it up good for your vinyl material......and just to make sure, seal the rear window with blak silicone caulk...and NOT EVERY car leaks at the rear window! R-
Don't allow a rubber mat to sit directly on the metal trunk floor. This will hold moisture from condensation and you will slowly rot out the floor just like 99% of GM cars built from 1963-1968
i wasnt saying that i was going to rip out the headliner..i said that someone else DID rip out the stock one years ago (you can tell by the fibers left hanging) and i dont see a point in putting one until i chop it.i believe i'm good on undercoating because all the insides of the panels have a good quarter inch of it..made it REAL nice and hard for some of the chrome trim to come off..buy yeah,it has been undercoated and primed.i'm just wanting to get to work on making it myself..i'm wanting some decent looking vinyl and something to hold my fluid cans.i'll probably have to fabricate a slotted brace to hold them while i'm driving.thanx for the advice,everyone creepy
Well, creepy, I had to go back and see if I misread your post about the headliner...NO WHERE does it say: "i wasnt saying that i was going to rip out the headliner..i said that someone else DID rip out the stock one years ago..." the quote above from your first post should point that out. it does say I'd have to rip it out. There's is no point of putting one in before you do the chop...that's just plain common sense...and a waste of money. Simply pop rivet in some small brackets every foot or so then you can use door panel clips/holders to hold the panels in place. R-
it's alrite.i dont have to put anything in..all the stuff to put another headliner is there,like i said,someone else just tore the old one out and left fibers around the doors and the domelight.wasnt trying to be a prick,but no need to get so upset over my choice of words.i just said "rip" cuz it sounded better than "take".either way,if i offended you some way,i'm sorry.just no need for either of us to start drama.thanks for the help,though creepy
I made the side panels in my Mercury's trunk out of thick cardboard. I bought it at Hobby Lobby, so something similar should be readily available in a crafts store. The side panels were attached to the inside of the trunk using sticky backed Velcro. I made a plywood floor to cover the convoluted trunk floor to give the finished trunk a smoother look. The leopard print fabric was glued to the side panels using a 3M spray adhesive. The thick black trunk felt used on the floor, wheel humps and underside of the trunk lid was from J. C. Whitney. I used it because it conformed to the curved surfaces nicely and was a good contrast to the leopard print. It's the same stuff GM used in the late 60's and early 70's. The tire cover was easy to make once some paper patterns were made. It was really the only thing I had to sew!
I went to an upholstery shop and bought some special heavy black cardboard. You can leave it bare or cover it. I put it in my trunk uncovered and it looks great, I'm going to get some more and make door panels with vynil next. It was about $12 a sheet, 4x6.
thanks for all the help,guys! this is the stuff i need to know to make this work and i'd rather ask you guys than anyone else cuz i know the cool stuff you'll turn out! hopefully this week whenever i get off work i can start workin on this..i've got some extra vinyl already, but i need to get either some masonite or cardboard (probably cardboard) and get to it.Chris, on the panels you made, was there a certain kind of velcro you used or was it just the stuff you can buy everywhere?was it long strips or just the little squares? thanks again everyone!! creepy
I used the long strips of 3/4" wide sticky backed Velco that are available at the craft stores or fabric stores. I cut them into two inch long sections and used one about every foot or so around the perimeter of the panel to be mounted. Make sure the surface you plan on sticking the Velco to is clean. I gave my trunk a good scrubing before I started so I wouldn't have a problem with things not wanting to stick!
Well, hotrod54...I wasn't trying to start drama either...I just don't understand when I read something, the original poster sez I read something else...that's all! I'm not offended, thanx. With the heavy cardboard you'll find moisture sinks into it...even in the trunk...the Masonite will hold its shape for a long time if your trunk is not 100% waterproof. It's a bit harder to cut and fit, but doubt it'll ever bend or bow once you get it covered...I've been using it for years...and if you remove the panels to get at stuff behind it all the time, the cardboard will eventually get deformed. Just my experience... R-
I used 3/8" plywood for my back panel and side panels. Covered with vinyl and 1/4 foam rubber. Doors an the side panels hinge at the bottom and have a magnetic catch at the top. Makes for good hidden storage for 12v air compressor, spare parts etc. Sewed flames on the vinyl and foam rubber on the side panels b4 glueing them on.
I used some heavy board from the crafts store, called foam core. I also spray glued these panels and wrapped them with black vinyl and some printouts. They were first attached with velcro stickons. Some started coming unglued so there have been sheet metal screws added here and there. The floor is just covered with budget carpeting from the discount auto stores. The spare tire cover was also the only thing I had to sew. It's actually a worn out section from one of the seats, just modified into a round shape. Yes, you gotta be care ful if you are using cardboard or foam core. It can get creased if you are not careful.
you can use 1/4" "Luan" board. I've also seen it called "Phillipean mahogany" I think. You can get it at any Home Depot. It has a reddish color to it and is water resistant. I believe it is used in bathrooms. It is light, cheap and easy to work with. hope this helps.
I don't think there is any way to avoid moisture in your trunk caused by condensation. When the sun is shining and the air heats up moisture will be held in suspension. When the sun goes down the moisture in the atmosphere will condensense on any cooler surface. Your trunk is a large metal box. Warm air within will drop moisture on the metal surface as it cools. Make sure you've got metal painted or coated and that any upholstory or trim won't trap moisture. What ever you put in should be easily removable for occasional inspection and cleaning. That is unless you are going to go with the traditional climate controlled trunk similar to the one George Barris pioneered back in the 60's.
thanks for all your help,guys! this is gonna be awesome!i like how fast you guys are with posting pix.not 2 minutes after some yahoo gets online and asks for tips and tricks,you guys run out to your cars and snap pictures of your handywork (as do i when another HAMBer is in need of help) this is great.anyone else out there with pictures of their work who are mostly weekend warriors (I E not professionals like myself!) thanks! creepy
The Jalopy Journal
