Carbon Fiber A/C delete panel progress

[Blacdout96]

Im posting this thread to give you guys an update on progress. I've fallen behind because of work and finances, but now that I'm closer to home, and filling up every two weeks instead of twice a week (yeah it's that much of a difference!!) I've finally gotten time to sit down and work on it. So far I've glassed in the holes for the lights and dials, and did a fill in of the pits that the glass didn't get since my resin is thicker then usual, so it wouldn't let the glass form right. I'll let the bondo cure for a few days, let it shrink properly, and lay a secondary layer, sand it down, and finally go through the glaze to smooth it out.

I'll post some pics later, but things picked up quickly and I hope to have a mold ready by the end of the month/begining of July.

[sweetbmxrider]

picsssssssssssss

[Blacdout96]

I'm swinging by my work area today, so I'll snap a couple photos of it.


Also, does anybody know if the 82-92 ac-heater control panel is the same for the Camaro and Firebird?
If I get enough positive response from the 93-96 panel I'm making now, I think I will expand to 3rd gen Camaro/Firebird and 97-02 Camaro/Firebird and 93-97 Firebird. I'd really like to make a full range of parts so people arent stuck with one option, and that's if they had the vehicle I was selling for...

[Blacdout96]

okay, here's some quick pics of the progress.

[sweetbmxrider]

Interesting....

[Blacdout96]

Well I'm sure it looks like ass to you guys, but that's pre sanded and when it's finished, it will have a uniform color sprayed on to bring out any imperfections before I pop a mold.

The housing this pops onto will need to be slightly modified. Where I glassed in the tabs that it clips into, the plastic on the housing just needs to be cut out or sanded down, and this will sit in there, and will need to be glued in (two part epoxy, which I recommend) or double sided taped in. I'm making them strong enough to house switches lights, and if you were serious enough, a push button starter ( anybody who will use one with theirs would need to let me know so I can add a layer of Kevlar) with as little flexing as possible, yet won't crack under heat, or shock, which is why I'm going with epoxy resin, which is what your supposed to use with carbon fiber. It doesn't appear blue, and when it gets older, it doesn't yellow out.

[sweetbmxrider]

What about for mounting a gauge or possibly two?

[Blacdout96]

Absolutely! as long as it can fit in between that space. That would need the same application as the push button since it needs the anchors in the back to press it up against the panel, so one layer 2X2, (maybe 1 layer of unidirectional), and 1 layer of Kevlar.

[Blacdout96]

So far Im just about ready to apply the release wax, gel coat and lay up the fiberglass for the mold. I glued the panel to a piece of fine plywood, and layed up a few layers of primer filler to fill in any fine scratches. Looks great and I am sanding down the primer with 400-600 and then applying a primer sealer for a more uniform and stronger finish. that will get hit with 400-600-800-1200- and finally 8 and 4 micron. then lay up to about 5-10 coats of wax ( you want to do that for a first time mold to ensure it pulls apart easily, usually after that it 2-5 coats of release wax.

[Blacdout96]

So, for a late update, but the local companies that sell tooling gel, epoxy, PVA, etc. only sell to company, no privateers, so I either have t odrive to Pennylvania, order and ship it from florida, or have one of my guys on the inside at my old work to gatherthe materials for me....

[Blacdout96]

It's on!!! just placed an order for the tooling gel, epoxy resin, couple sheets of the carbon fiber, and a few other things. Can't wait for it to arrive, be updating you people as I get this thing rolling again. Sorry for the wait to everybody, I've been so mad that it was difficult to obtain tooling gel without having a business account with anybody, and between that and the trip from Taiwan/Christmas time, I couldn't get things hammered out.

[Blacdout96]

pics:

















Extra kitty photo:

[Blacdout96]

The time has come.....tomorrow I'm laying the first part out. just finished up applying the PVA, let it sit overnight, and then tomorrow the producing begins. I'll post photos of the product. I'm generally excited that after all this time I finally am gettign this underway.

There was a few bumps along the road, and next mold I make I'm purchasing a gel coat gun. The gun I tried to use got clogged up and created low spots in the gell coat, so when sanding time came around I hit carbon fiber, but has been fixed as much as needed.

[Blacdout96]

Holy crap, I wondered why nobody posted on here after I finished the prototype, I thought I put the pictures up, but apparently not. I had this done just before summer. Anyways, here's the final product, let me know if you guys are interested, through P.M's of course, and I would be down for a group buy discount if the demand is enough.

As I said before, this is 100% carbon fiber, with a thick gauge carbon fiber on the back to strengthen it. what's the weight? 1.04oz, or 29.5g!! Yes, it may not make a big difference for weight savings, but it goes to show how light this stuff is, and this wasn't even vacuum bagged, I could probably get just under 1 oz. if I did. without further wait, here's the photos:

[sweetbmxrider]

That came out sweet! @ drug dealer scale

[Blackbirdws6]

Looks like it came out pretty nice. I would get some pics of it installed so you can show everyone how it looks. Why not make an entire bezel for that entire space so it cleans the look up further?

[Blacdout96]

Well my next plan was to either do for Firebirds, or the 4.2 gen Camaro's, or make a radio delete panel to go with this. Doing the bezel would be a real pain, and would be better wrapped. It would strengthen the bezel a little, but nothing significant. What do you guys think?

EDIT: Sorry, was thinking the whole dash cluster and dash plastic, the bezel, yeah that could be done, just cutting out all the holes for everything would need to be done by a miniature router, the one thing I don't have I'll look into some prices, and once again, if there is interest, I might pursue that. Anyone interested in parting with their bezel? lol

[Blackbirdws6]

I would imagine people who remove their A/C and heat control likely won't have a radio but I could be wrong. I just think the carbon fiber insert next to the factory bezel may look a little odd. I would add a couple holes for some gauges or something as a simple option. I honestly need to see this on the car before I can provide any advise.

[sweetbmxrider]

What bezel? The dash goes around this. Radio delete could be cool too.

[unstable bob gable]

Why are you going through so much trouble with this? You can go to Peppy Boys, buy a roll of real, genuine, fake, imitation vinyl carbon fiber for a buck three ninety, and be done with it!

[Blacdout96]

I know, I'm stupid, why did I buy all that professional grade stuff when I could of vinyled the **** out of it. BOOM! instant racecar

Hey Bob, when you gonna get me some pieces for me to make TRUE carbon fiber parts for that Caliber of yours, none of that water tattoo ****

[Blacdout96]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

What bezel? The dash goes around this. Radio delete could be cool too.

I think he means this:

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl...r:11,s:0,i:117

[sweetbmxrider]

That would be cool but I don't think he means that. He's got a bird and their dashes are different obviously. They have fancy trim that he wants all fancy.

[Blacdout96]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

That would be cool but I don't think he means that. He's got a bird and their dashes are different obviously. They have fancy trim that he wants all fancy.

[ar0ck]

Came out incredible!