Adventures in fiberglass

[bigwoofer]

I had some extra screens from my sponsors lying around, and since they sent me some new speakers.... I decided to make some new door panels

The doors aren't finished and there are a few flaws on some transitions as I only worked on them for 2-3 days to get them both to this point (I decided to start this project a week before I had to leave for Global). So now I will take them out of the car and finish the panels and prep them for either paint (but i'm not sure, might be too much yellow if i color match them to the car) or I will wrap them in suede to match my seats.


Mounting rings and cut outs for the screens

Hi-build primer

Texture painted and colored to match door panels

Putting the doors together

Doors in the car for Global Import

 

[MSPRCRX44]

nice, got any more pics?

 

[ForceFed]

Bigwoofer...Will you hit me up with some close ups and info on how you gys are texturing the interrior pieces..Everything i am doing or have done has been Base/clear smooth and i would love to do some stock looking panels but have not yet figured out what technique to use for the texture.Any help or info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Matt K.

 

[bigwoofer]

nice, got any more pics?

Of what??? I probably have 100 pics of the install process, i may eventually get around to a how to on my site once I get the last few mods done I am working on

 

[smurfedpro5]

real nice

 

[bigwoofer]

Bigwoofer...Will you hit me up with some close ups and info on how you gys are texturing the interrior pieces..Everything i am doing or have done has been Base/clear smooth and i would love to do some stock looking panels but have not yet figured out what technique to use for the texture.Any help or info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Matt K.

After the primer I use SEM texture paint. The trick with it is to figure out what distance to spray from. You get a different texture depending on the distance. Once it dries, you scuff it with one of those green brillo pads to even it out and then paint it to whatever color you want. Let me see if i can find a close up...

 

[mazpro]

looks good man, very nice work.

 

[vindication]

nice work

 

[ForceFed]

After the primer I use SEM texture paint. The trick with it is to figure out what distance to spray from. You get a different texture depending on the distance. Once it dries, you scuff it with one of those green brillo pads to even it out and then paint it to whatever color you want. Let me see if i can find a close up...

Ok i got that...How bout a link to the paint you are talking about...I am sure you have a preferred place to buy this stuff from.Anything you have would be sweet.I am really wanting to texture my gauge pods that i make to match the a-pillars .I think it would look even more stock than it does already.

 

[bigwoofer]

Ok i got that...How bout a link to the paint you are talking about...I am sure you have a preferred place to buy this stuff from.Anything you have would be sweet.I am really wanting to texture my gauge pods that i make to match the a-pillars .I think it would look even more stock than it does already.

I did my A-pillar pod and you cannot tell it isn't factory, the texture matches up 100%

I buy my SEM stuff at a local car parts store (JB's Automotive). I would suggest finding a local parts supplier and ask them if they carry SEM or if they know anyone who does.

Other good stuff to use (which i used to build these panels) are the SEM two part plastic adhesives. I use them for welding the different parts/wood/plastic panels together before I start the glassing process.

Dual-Mix adhesive

Texture Coating

 

[ForceFed]

I did my A-pillar pod and you cannot tell it isn't factory, the texture matches up 100%

I buy my SEM stuff at a local c...ar parts store (JB's Automotive). I would suggest finding a local parts supplier and ask them if they carry SEM or if they know anyone who does.

Other good stuff to use (which i used to build these panels) are the SEM two part plastic adhesives. I use them for welding the different parts/wood/plastic panels together before I start the glassing process.

Dual-Mix adhesive

Texture Coating

So the texture coating there is what you are using for your texture coat...then blending it with a green level scotch brite pad...I use those and the white level for just making a scuff for my paint to adhere well.I need to find a new NON laquer High build primer....For filling small imperfections before paint as well.The laquer formula has been giving me hell lately.
The two part you listed is really similar to what I already use..Lord Fusor Products...
http://www.lord.com/Default.aspx?tabid=930

Right now I think I am using the #140...I would have to go look at it but it sticks like hell!
I think we need to have a nice little tips and tricks discussion thread..I think we could both learn some new things.
What cha think?

 

[bigwoofer]

I think we need to have a nice little tips and tricks discussion thread..I think we could both learn some new things.
What cha think?

Yeah the tips are always fun to use. But not really much you can do with those two part adhesives. I have a huge bag of tips to go with my gun. I've started planning my next mod, which should be pretty unique and I'll be using more than a few tips I bet!!


But I'm always up for sharing tips and tricks

 

[Protege2K]

That is some very impressive work. Keep it up. (thumb)

 

[ForceFed]

Yeah the tips are always fun to use. But not really much you can do with those two part adhesives. I have a huge bag of tips to go with my gun. I've started planning my next mod, which should be pretty unique
But I'm always up for sharing tips and tricks

I just use the adhesive for assembly purposes....I always look forward to your next mods...Some are very unique...I have a mod I want to do to my car but its not very practical...It involves a trunk ,three sets of linear actuators and a stop/pivot hinge...Oh yeah...the 19 LCD monitor gets thrown in there as well...I would tell you here but...to many ears...I may PM you later on it.

 

[yeloprofan]

Holy, the insanity continues, good job. The interior was basically the last part of your car that needed some work. Looks like you have got that all dialled in now. I would stay away from painting it yellow. I dont know if you remember mine when i had the yellow inside, looked cool for about 6 months but after that it made my teeth ache, it was just too much. I have been much happier now that the interior is all covered in a nice suede.

 

[ForceFed]

Thats funny you guys are all talking about painting the interior door panels.I was considering a component set in the front panels and was going to color match the lower of all four to the Spicy.Now I may re-consider and do a nice suede to match the upper.

 

[bigwoofer]

Holy, the insanity continues, good job. The interior was basically the last part of your car that needed some work. Looks like you have got that all dialled in now. I would stay away from painting it yellow. I dont know if you remember mine when i had the yellow inside, looked cool for about 6 months but after that it made my teeth ache, it was just too much. I have been much happier now that the interior is all covered in a nice suede.

I have looked at the old pics of your car with the yellow many times, and i keep thinking the same thing, that I'd grow pretty tired of it fairly quick.

Yeah the interior was definitely lacking, but I have the Mazdaspeed seats in there now, plus the door panels, plus I am doing a couple of other "little" mods in there before IFEST. The last judge I talked too at SCN said I'd be in there always for best mazda if I did some work to the interior as it was really lacking.

It's definitely paying off though, at the last show I was at I walked away with 1st place in ICE, 1st place 4 door mild,Best Mazda and Best of show.

 

[bigwoofer]

I just use the adhesive for assembly purposes....I always look forward to your next mods...Some are very unique...I have a mod I want to do to my car but its not very practical...It involves a trunk ,three sets of linear actuators and a stop/pivot hinge...Oh yeah...the 19 LCD monitor gets thrown in there as well...I would tell you here but...to many ears...I may PM you later on it.

Funny, one of my sponsors wants me to stuff a few larger widescreens in my car. I have a few motorized tricks up my sleeves for those, but they will probably wind up a winter project.

 

[bigwoofer]

Thats funny you guys are all talking about painting the interior door panels.I was considering a component set in the front panels and was going to color match the lower of all four to the Spicy.Now I may re-consider and do a nice suede to match the upper.

The thing that is making me lean the most away from color matching the bottoms of my doors is the fact the car is a daily driver and i have two kids. So the doors would get all scuffed up, but if I wrap them in suede, they will have alot more durability

 

[ForceFed]

The thing that is making me lean the most away from color matching the bottoms of my doors is the fact the ...car is a daily driver and i have two kids. So the doors would get all scuffed up, but if I wrap them in ...suede, they will have alot more durability

Well I have had the painted interior before and it held up well for me...but then again..I have no kids and babied the hell out of the car...I dont even touch paint when shutting doors and trunks.