Kickin' Cruiser - Stage 1, 2, & 3 - UBL

[Purplehaze]

I didn't get much done on Friday, cause I was just having a really bad day. I was trying to figure out how to fix my mistake from the day before. When gluing the doors, I wasn't thinking for a min, and glued the passenger side inner and outer panels together. This was a mistake because I had planned on wrapping them first, so it would be easier. So after almost effin up the panel trying to separate them, I finally decided to just wrap it like it was. I had an idea, but needed a second set of hands to try it. So I waited until yesterday, and got my girl to help since the kids are both at other places.

My idea was to wrap the entire panel, stapling to the back side. Then, with some help, I forced the factory panel down into place, then stapled around the edge. Then I cut the surround, and removed the back side staples. This worked like a charm! Then I finished with plugs for the speaker holes and window. The other panel, the one that I didn't glue, was easy. Really easy after the first one! Anyway, here are the pics, check it out!

First me and my girl wrapped up all the plugs with foil and masking tape, so I can get them out when needed.



Then we started on the hardest one first: the one I glued like an idiot. First we wrapped the entire thing, then we forced the factory outer piece down to make it take shape. Here we are stapling to the right one.



That left me with this



Then I trimmed the outside and removed those staples, and started inserting plugs



Then, after all three plugs were installed, I had to figure out something for the window. I cut out a piece of wood the shape of the hole, and used a 2x4 on the backside with screws to draw it down. Worked like a charm!





So then I just trimmed the edge a little better, and there is that one! On to the next!
Which I did by myself in about 45 mins, compared to 2 hours on the first on, with help!

Here is the only pic I have of the second one being built, it was done so quick I sorta forgot!



So here they are together, ready for some resin!



After 2 coats











Thanks for looking, hopefully more updates soon!

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[Purplehaze]

I didn't get near as much done yesterday as I'd like, for one because I keep underestimating how long each step takes. And also, it's been super humid the last few days, and it's been messing with me, and the curing of the resin.

So the first thing I did was to remove the plugs





And clean up the edges with the dremel



Then, on the other panel, I had to remove the staples and cut away the extra cloth





Then once that was done, time to remove the plugs and clean the edges on it too



All done, ready for the first layer of fiberglass.



First layer done. I had all kinds of problems with this layer. For some reason the resin was setting up SUPER fast, didn't matter how much hardener I used. I wasted at least 20oz of resin. But I got it on there, I'll just sand between each layer to make sure we keep those sexy curves!



One door






The other door





And that's where I'm at today. The plan is to sand down both panels, and try to stretch what resin I have left to do a layer of glass inside. Then I will be pretty much stuck on the doors until I get paid on Thursday, then I can get more supplies. Need another gallon of resin, bunch of sand paper, and some good body filler. Think I'm gonna buy some Rage extreme this time. I'll probably finish up the headliner, and start wiring this week also. Hopefully.

So anyway thanks for lookin', check back later for more!

[Purplehaze]

Okay, so the last week I didn't get to work on the doors like I wanted to, between work, and rain. But I had a 4 day weekend including today, and the weather has been nice, so I got a little done. Mostly sanding, but I also separated the 5.25" chambers from the 6.5" with great stuff and fiberglass, finished the inside glassing, and finished glassing the outside too! Today I have to clean it up, do another test fit, and after some wiring, the first test run! Then, if all goes well, it will be time to make them pretty! First will be Kitty Hair, followed by multiple coats of Rage Gold. And after getting them as smooth as possible, I am either gonna take them somewhere to be wrapped in vinyl, or try it myself, if I can get someone with experience to help. Or, possibly a professional paint job, with some sick air brushing.... Hmm decisions decisions.... I seriously can't wait!!!!

So now for the pics. These are not the most exciting pictures in the world, but it's part of the door build, so I gotta show them. Plus it gives an idea of just how much time these things are actually taking.

First thing was to sand down the first layer of glass, and clean up the edges. But I needed some supplies, so I made a trip to Lows, and Car Quest, and got what all I needed.



Got some great stuff, to seal off the 5 1/4" chamber



More resin...



More sandpaper..



No more bondo for this guy... Got the good stuff this time around



Also I picked up a new Dremel tool. My Trio still works fine, but they don't make near as many accessories for it as they do a regular Dremel. And I wanted it for detailed sanding, so I grabbed one up, along with a 75 piece accessory kit.



So first thing I did then was to clean up the bottom of the drivers side panel, the one that was still separated.





Then I started on the outside of both, sanding and prepping for the next layer.





So then I put the foam in to separate the chambers. That stuff really expands! These pics were taken right after I sprayed it in.









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[Purplehaze]

Then I let that set overnight to cure, and trimmed it up the next day.







Then I cleaned up the panels for the drivers side and joined them together permanently. Now both panels are 1 piece...





Then after that dried, I started glassing up the insides. It's hard to see, but there is chop mat all over the foamed parts, and everywhere else I could reach. And for the places I couldn't reach, I just poured resin into the panel and let it run every way it could.







Then outside layer #2





Then layer #3







Also, I had a little help again! He even shared his fruit snacks!



So that's where I am now, time to clean them up and do a test run! Then, on to making them pretty!

Thanks for checkin' it out, and please, feel free to let me know what you guys think!

Please leave comments here
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[Purplehaze]

Okay, so I got a little more work in, nothing too exciting, but still work.

Started sanding the fiberglass to prep for Kitty Hair.

Then it was test fit time...

So then I took it to the car and put it in. Thats when I realized I had a little problem. The 5 1/4" backplate was hitting the window motor, so it had to go. Plus I was thinking about it anyway, and it will be better if the 5 1/4 was to be free air, then it would better match the other set of them in the kick panels. So, I simply removed the backplate and problem solved. This chamber is sealed off from the others anyway, so this couldn't have worked out better!

Then, more sanding...

And so today I need to start Kitty Hair, and Rage. I am not a natural body man, so this will probably take me longer than usual. In other words, I suck at body work, but can do okay work if I take my time...

Oh yeah, big props to my girl, she got me an early Fathers Day present. This will help for sure, I love my girl!

She got me the compressor, bless her heart. I picked up the sander and stuff at Harbor Freight, along with a rt angle die grinder, some 2" and 3" disc, and a few other things I needed.

I wanted a big nice compressor, but since I live in an apartment, and don't have a garage, this one is perfect! It's stronger than I thought it would be, it runs the sander and grinder just fine, as long as you give it a break once in a while. It should help out tremendously with all this body work ahead of me. Thanks babe, your the best!

More updates as soon as they come, stay tuned! And thanks for lookin'

[Purplehaze]

Sorry for the bad picture quality. I'll get a new camera soon.

Okay, so I ordered the stuff to for the doors and front stage, and I got most of it in. This is 500 ft of 16/2 speaker wire, 100ft of regular 14g speaker wire, for the door subs, 12-pin Molex connectors for the doors, heat shrink tubing, and braided wire loom.

Then it was time for more sanding, and a test fit.

I guess I had the camera on the wrong setting, cause all of these pics turned out blurry. But here is the test fit.

And now I'm getting excited! Time to get these babies done!

So first step was Kitty Hair. I decided not to use a lot of it, so I just put it where fill was needed.

Then after sanding that down, I applied the first coat of Rage Gold. This was my first time using "quality" body filler, and I must say, it is better for sure!

And that's where I am now. They are ready for coat #2 of the Rage. I'll have to say, that stuff sure is easy to sand! I love me some Rage now!

I should get the wiring done this week, and hopefully have these suckers in and playing sometime before Christmas...

Thanks for lookin', more to come!

Please post comments here

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/132828-kickin-cruiser-stage-3-door-panels

[Purplehaze]

Okay, I have update pics. They aren't the super cool updates I was wanting to have today, but it's progress. TBH, these dp's are whipping my ass everyday that I work on them. But like a champ, I keep getting back up and back at it. This has been a lot more work than I expected, and I was expecting a lot. But we are getting there, slowly but surely! Anyway, here are the pics of my latest beat-downs...

First up was the damage I mentioned a few days ago. I got really lucky that it wasn't worse. Guess these panels are pretty strong...

The damage part 1

Part 2

Part 3

The repair was simple. I glued the broken part back together, then installed one more piece of dowel rod. The other two spots just took a little filler.

Next up: Rage coat #2

Sanded #2

Coat #3

Coat 3 sanded.

Coat #4 drying in the sun. Caught a shot of the Cruiser in the background

But wait, there's more...

[Purplehaze]

So while working on the doors, I have also been trying to work on other little stuff for the interior. Prepping the panels for paint, and tweeters, and plexi ans such. So let's get caught up on what all is going on with that...

First up, the tweeter mounting. On with the pics...

Whoops, forgot to take a pic of these finished, before paint. My bad, you will have to see it painted.

Speaking of paint...

Then some plexi. I went ahead and cut it for the doors, and amps too.

The back piece will be painted, and they will have RGB LED's, just like the door panels. Should be LED's all over! Speaking of which...

B-pillars cut and painted

Then it was back to the doors. I sanded and sanded and sanded some more! My fingers are literally raw!

So after sanding coat #4 of Rage, I decided to spray with filler primer, to help me see where I'm at with them.

Remember, they are not finished. This is just to see what else is needed.

And this is where I am at now. Still some more body work and sanding left, but they are getting there!

Stay tuned for more, and thanks for looking!

[Purplehaze]

A few more pics of the doors in first primer

And that's all I have at the moment.

Thanks again for lookin'

Please leave comments here

http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/132828-kickin-cruiser-stage-3-door-panels/

[Purplehaze]

Okay, so I didn't get a lot done this week, it was hot everywhere, and for me, that means overtime! Which may mean less time to work on the ride, but also means more money! So who can say no to that? Especially @ +$25/hr!!!!

But I did manage to get a little work in, so here it is. We are truly getting close now

First up, some test fitting.

After a little sanding, more test fits...

A little spot putty action

And here are a few shots to show what I found when buying wire. Just cause it says it's 14g, doesn't mean it is. The smaller wire is supposed to be 14g, the larger is 16/2 audio cable. It's funny how 16g is bigger than 14g...

So the next step was to cut groves into the backside of the panels, for the wires to lay in.

Done

Then some paint, just cause it looks better to me...

Then next up was to twist 4 wires together for the LED's. "Meade style" Worked great!

I just used a clamp and a fence to hold the other end

My "little helper" holding the drill while I tape and wire tie.

Ended up with this

Stay tuned, more to come!

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