Newbie Help On Center Consul. . .

[whitechocolate]

This is what a stock dash would look like.

This is what gave me the idea to start my little project.

But I wanted to fiberglass the radio bezel into the fiberglass consul. Like this.

I wanted it to have a shape sort of like this. From wide to smaller but with a steep slope to fit all my extra components.

I need it to fit an extra double din and two single din units in the add on center consul. That’s why I need it having a large face before the curve up.

This is as far as I got.

I know it's not much But like I said Newbie. I used a thin MDF so that I would have a base to set the fiberglass on and have a material that would bend to the curve that I wanted. On the right side it doesn't have to curve that much but as you can see the left side has a big curve that I can't get the Thin MDF to curve to. I need help. What are you suggestions to take?

[LSN2meBoom916]

Ok bro as promised.

took a min to get the resources up.

So if you check out GroundPounder's (GP2K2) build in HIS F-glassin section, a lot of these pics come from there/either his Cavi or his berreta or his Buick. THAT guy should be ur hero in this area. NO joke.

The center console he did in his Crazy ride w/ the 6-15's in the backseat-which reads like a Glassing tutorial, and WILL show you a lot tips/tricks if ur payin attn and SERIOUS about building it right.

Cavi console- http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/ind...p?showtopic=869

Buick-Console STARTS on pg 11. I should make you dig through and find it but I'm cuttin you slack here since you claim to be newb status and you DID ask for this help.

Buick---V

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/ind...4581&st=200

Ok so the important shots you should have caught-

If you looked at the Buick console build GP started w/ taping off the floor/tranny hump where the base of the console will go-you can use tape or tin foil or w/e u like but make sure it's water tight so no resin hits the carpet. AFTER you get it all resined and lay some glass there, you will have decide the where the outer edge should go/where the console will start/stop and trim it back to that line.

Here's how GP's looked after he had trimmed the base and added some mdf pieces to mount his deck and such.

Back end towards the dash

Here's a good shot of how the part he glassed & then trimmed back fits the tranny hump and keeps it from rocking side to side (this is why you wanna copy that hump!)

Here he's using wooden strips/dowels cut to the exact length that will apply pressure to the "lips" or sides of the console base-this makes sure they "grab" the hump tight. (I know "eeew", but grow up ;-) )

Here's a shot of the rope used in lil sections (4 on the dirver side in this pic) to reinforce the glass. Letting the resin soak into the nylon rope is just like letting it soak into the glass material-when it's done it'll be like a solid dowel in the shape you make it-bent/curved/etc.

Same idea w/ the mdf strip/dowel pressure on the other side.

----BREAK FOR FIREFOX USERS and Imma grab a beer---------

[LSN2meBoom916]

Ok-

As far as the "base" that will be a copy of the tranny hump-

Make sure that:

1: If you do it as shown in those pics^^ and glass over the hump, make sure to "end" or "terminate" the edge/ends of the base on each side AT THE FLOOR level....If you don't the console will be more likely to rock/roll back and forth side to side.

2:If you use a differnet method, like an mdf "bridge" that spans across the hump, make sure the bottom board sits even and level on the hump and the "feet" under it are level....I'll see if i can find a pic of what I mean.

-Something like this-No glass base just mdf:

Back tothe Fglassed base tho-

Once it looks liek the previous pics....you'll have to wrap it in material, like T shirt or other stretchy cloth-fleece works but is a bit thick.

Then after the first layer or 2 of resin you can cut out the front pieces as needed

Then apply-let dry-sand-re-apply-let dry-sand and repeat w/ more glass till it's around 1/8"-1/4" thick. and pretty smooth.

After that some filler (Bondo,Evercoat-Rage, or other brand body filler will work)

and sand it smooooth. Primer it and then it's ur call on the finish.

Hope that helps some.

Holla at me if more info is needed.

[whitechocolate]

Got some work done today making the frames for the 3 components that are going into the center consul. I also made a base for the consul. I think I have an idea on how to get it done with the curves that I want. Thanks to the info that LSN2meBoom916 game me. Here are some flicks of today’s work.

This is a storage unit that I store all my movies on an internal hard drive.

I couldn't find my mask so I had to do it Miami Style. lol

[LSN2meBoom916]

Good to see/hear the info helped.

All props basically go to GP2K2. He's still da man around here.

-Sidenote-Is that Elmers Ultimate glue ur using? If so, I would switch it up and pick up some Titebond or Regular Elmers WOOD glue. I myself have and use the Ultimate glue and similar Gorilla glue but it's a lot messier, takes longer to dry, and will expand quite a bit and ooz out all over stuff-sometimes a good thing but usually NOT and wood glue is a stronger WOOD TO WOOD bond IMO.

Other thatn that its lookin good-Love the "Gangsta-fume-mask" I been there myself.

[groundpounder2k2]

Good to see/hear the info helped.

All props basically go to GP2K2. He's still da man around here.

-Sidenote-Is that Elmers Ultimate glue ur using? If so, I would switch it up and pick up some Titebond or Regular Elmers WOOD glue. I myself have and use the Ultimate glue and similar Gorilla glue but it's a lot messier, takes longer to dry, and will expand quite a bit and ooz out all over stuff-sometimes a good thing but usually NOT and wood glue is a stronger WOOD TO WOOD bond IMO.

Other thatn that its lookin good-Love the "Gangsta-fume-mask" I been there myself.

wow............I havent been around in a few days........Been so busy moving....and i dont have internet at the moment......I just logged on... ..sitting at the mother in laws house...

thaks so much man.....seeing your input in this thread...made my day bro....

i see you really pay attention to my builds.....really...pay attention...and that makes it all worth it right there...I dont know when Ill be on my next project.........its gonna take a while to get settled in...

but when I do......you know there will be pix...

[LSN2meBoom916]

wow............I havent been around in a few days........Been so busy moving....and i dont have internet at the moment......I just logged on... ..sitting at the mother in laws house...

thaks so much man.....seeing your input in this thread...made my day bro....

i see you really pay attention to my builds.....really...pay attention...and that makes it all worth it right there...I dont know when Ill be on my next project.........its gonna take a while to get settled in...

but when I do......you know there will be pix...

I get my info from guys like you, therefore if I ever plan on bein any good at it HELLS yea I pay attn.

I keep a NICE chunk of RAM devoted to MANY folders, filled with pics of your work and anytihg that I think I might wanna see again or might help someone in the same position.

Going to College is $$$$ enough for me, I can't really afford the MECP school so I "do my audio HW" after late at night just surfing the audio and Fglass forums.

I know you aint big on the write-ups, so if I can I do my best to channel ur skills and help a brotha out(just had to borrow some pix ).

I have stuff I been working I need to post too....but school is kinda bein a pain da ass right now-thank gawd for the "wee hours" I guess.

[whitechocolate]

I get my info from guys like you, therefore if I ever plan on bein any good at it HELLS yea I pay attn.

I keep a NICE chunk of RAM devoted to MANY folders, filled with pics of your work and anytihg that I think I might wanna see again or might help someone in the same position.

Going to College is $$$$ enough for me, I can't really afford the MECP school so I "do my audio HW" after late at night just surfing the audio and Fglass forums.

I know you aint big on the write-ups, so if I can I do my best to channel ur skills and help a brotha out(just had to borrow some pix ).

I have stuff I been working I need to post too....but school is kinda bein a pain da ass right now-thank gawd for the "wee hours" I guess.

I agre GREAT work. I had to take a few hours to check out as many of you Topics as I could. AMAZING WORK. I think you have alot of skill to teach others. If I lived close I would pay for those skills and have you as my teacher. lol Keep it up.

[groundpounder2k2]

thanks a bunch guys........

[whitechocolate]

Got some more work put in over the weekend. I know it's not much but the older you get the harder it is to find time for your self, well thats in my case.

I got this done in the parking lot of my job. Had to work late Friday, All day Saturday and a few more hours on Sunday. That's all the time I had to work on the Center Conusul.