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Playing with glass fibre (new boost gauge panel)

Posted: 16 Aug 2006 08:48 pm
by Fuse
So.. :P Our GL has a boost gauge panel like this

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/34.jpg

and I wanted one like that for GLT too, as currently I have the ugly flat panel on it which doesn't look right.

I had some glass fibre mat laying around and I have never made anything out of glass fibre so I thought I'll try now. GL's one is made out of a middle section of a snowcap I think... :lol:

First I had to take some accurate (yeah right) measurements.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/2.jpg

Then I needed something which of I could make the mould as I didn't want to use the original panel. Well Logitech Rumblebad's box should do fine. :D

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/1.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/3.jpg

After some cutting we have a nice puzzle

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/4.jpg

which turned out to be one of those 3d puzzles

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/5.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/6.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/7.jpg

and it needed some reinforcement

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/8.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/9.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/10.jpg

But if I would lay the fibre mat on to that cardboard thingy the final panel would be too big so I filled the cardboard mould with plastic filler and this was created (looks like a cheese doesn't it)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/11.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/12.jpg

after some sanding and packing tape

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/13.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/14.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/15.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/16.jpg

Then I felt an urgent need to take a pic of my tidy, organized and professional working space

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/17.jpg :)

It was time to lay on some glass fibre mat

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/18.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/19.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/20.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/21.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/22.jpg

it was a "bit" rough on the edges so I figured it's time for some plastic filler and sandpaper again

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/23.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/24.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/25.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/26.jpg

but wait a second.. I have a feeling it's missing something essential. Oh yeah right the hole for a gauge! What a design fault it would have been If I hadn't noticed. ;)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/27.jpg

and again some sanding and cutting

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/28.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/29.jpg

now it was ready for some primer

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/30.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/31.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/30.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/32.jpg

It was getting dark so I needed some light, three million candelas should do it (though it was running low on batteries.. needs a recharge)

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/33.jpg

That's enough for now, tomorrow I'm going to paint it black and give it a matte finish.

What a long thread for such a small thing.. :lol: Well I think it came out quite nicely as I hadn't done anything with glass fibre before.

Posted: 16 Aug 2006 11:38 pm
by Chris_C
Looks great fuse!!! I'm at the stage where you filled the cardboard with filler, what filler did you use? I'm thinking of using resin, but filler would be soooo much easier!

i'm glad yours has turned out well, there is hope for mine! How are you going to fix the holder into the ashtray area?

Posted: 17 Aug 2006 06:48 pm
by Fuse
I just used some plastic filler which I had some left.. :P It wasn't enough so I put some glass fibre filler on top of it as can be seen. (I ran out of plastic filler) Then I just finished it with packing tape so the glass fibre wont get stuck on to it. I don't know what is the professional way but mine worked for me.. :lol:

I painted the finished product with bumper paint. Bumper paint gives it a nice surface goes nicely with the dashboard.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/36.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/37.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/38.jpg

It's attatched with two metal strips which are attatched with screws on to the dash and to the panel.

I think it looks good, I need to paint it once more though as I scratched it a bit when making the metal strips to fit.. (Paint wasn't dry enough) Doesn't show in pics but there are some scratches. :P

Posted: 17 Aug 2006 11:11 pm
by Chris_C
I think you're right, looks good!!! Nice one mate!

Posted: 18 Aug 2006 09:44 am
by mac
Oh! that poor. poor 'Workmate'.

Mac.

Posted: 18 Aug 2006 10:01 am
by Fuse
mac wrote:Oh! that poor. poor 'Workmate'.

Mac.
Yeah It's a "bit" battered... :lol: Frame is in good shape though, I should change the MDF parts. :P

Posted: 10 Sep 2006 12:33 pm
by Gulbrandsen_Racing
That was a BIG boost-gauge! :P

Nice work!

Posted: 10 Sep 2006 06:53 pm
by Fuse
Gulbrandsen_Racing wrote:That was a BIG boost-gauge! :P

Nice work!
Yeah it is 62mm as it is an industrial gauge. :P I didn't want to pay something like 100e for Autometer gauge, which would have been accurate too. Industrial gauges are very accurate, but you don't have to pay extra for the brand and those have silicone dampering and mine has also a calibration valve to reset the 0-position. :P And it cost only ~30 euros in a hydraulic shop. Only minus is that it hasn't got any backlight, but it isn't too hard to fit a one led. :)