Project -- CF dash
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Project -- CF dash Hello everybody. Here is the project. I have a dash out of the wrecked TA. I have been wanting to make one out of carbon fiber. Basically something that looks good, resists cracking in heat and most important -- lighter than stock.
I have never worked with composites before, so this should be interesting.
I am planning on using the dash I have to make the mold out of fiberglass, than use that mold to make a carbon fiber dash. I am planning on stuffing the wiring harness back in there, and say good bye to all the metal supports that and holding up the dash.
There are couple more mods I would like to do to it, like take the center piece of the dash and turn it 3 or 4 degrees toward the driver. This will give it a more aggressive look.
I'll post some pictures later.
I have never worked with composites before, so this should be interesting.
I am planning on using the dash I have to make the mold out of fiberglass, than use that mold to make a carbon fiber dash. I am planning on stuffing the wiring harness back in there, and say good bye to all the metal supports that and holding up the dash.
There are couple more mods I would like to do to it, like take the center piece of the dash and turn it 3 or 4 degrees toward the driver. This will give it a more aggressive look.
I'll post some pictures later.
Last edited by dvk678; May 9, 2009 at 11:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
PICTURES! WOOT!!
I am still cleaning it up. There was some damage from the collision on the left side mounting bracket. I am going to have to rebuild it some how. I am thinking modeling clay and bondo...
I am still cleaning it up. There was some damage from the collision on the left side mounting bracket. I am going to have to rebuild it some how. I am thinking modeling clay and bondo...
Good idea, fun project! Check out these videos, this link goes to a playlist so be sure to watch a few or at least poke through the list to see what could help!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAdVO8Rkv6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAdVO8Rkv6c
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Thanks for the video, unfortunately, I have already seen this one. I am thinking I would rather do vacuum infusion. It turns out an overall better product. Plus I am planning on few other CF parts down the line, so getting all the equipment wouldn't hurt.
True, i was just thinking for rototyping purposes! If your going all out and buying the equipment, there sure is a lot missing from the fbody marketplace, i think you could make a good amount of money! Definitely keep us updated! The most exciting thing is turning the center section to face the driver, thats the way they should have been from the factory.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Well, you guys made up my mind. I was looking at the dash and I was contemplating whether or not to do (its a lot of extra work). But seeing the community reaction pretty much made finalize my decision 
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Just got back from doing a little shopping. Picked up a few items for the project.
(Home Depot)
Fiber glass cloth -- $6.97
Fiber glass fabric -- $6.67
Razor blades -- $2.48
(Harbor Freight)
Air cutoff tool -- $14.99
Cutoff wheels (25pk) -- $12.99
Plastic bondo spreaders (20pk) -- $8.99
Air grinder -- $7.99
4" Circular brush -- $3.99
Big tub of 3M Bondo -- $17.99
Total material cost $56.39
Total cost so far $90.23
(Home Depot)
Fiber glass cloth -- $6.97
Fiber glass fabric -- $6.67
Razor blades -- $2.48
(Harbor Freight)
Air cutoff tool -- $14.99
Cutoff wheels (25pk) -- $12.99
Plastic bondo spreaders (20pk) -- $8.99
Air grinder -- $7.99
4" Circular brush -- $3.99
Big tub of 3M Bondo -- $17.99
Total material cost $56.39
Total cost so far $90.23
Just curious what the bondo filler is for? If you try to apply any of that to the plastic dash, I assume it will crack off. You want to use epoxy to fill anything in. There is my $0.02
Also when you actually lay the carbon, you'll want to use epoxy based resin because it can flex well without cracking. Here is an article on this: http://www.oppracing.com/opp_pages.p...rbon_fiber_101
Also when you actually lay the carbon, you'll want to use epoxy based resin because it can flex well without cracking. Here is an article on this: http://www.oppracing.com/opp_pages.p...rbon_fiber_101
Just curious what the bondo filler is for? If you try to apply any of that to the plastic dash, I assume it will crack off. You want to use epoxy to fill anything in. There is my $0.02
Also when you actually lay the carbon, you'll want to use epoxy based resin because it can flex well without cracking. Here is an article on this: http://www.oppracing.com/opp_pages.p...rbon_fiber_101
Also when you actually lay the carbon, you'll want to use epoxy based resin because it can flex well without cracking. Here is an article on this: http://www.oppracing.com/opp_pages.p...rbon_fiber_101
He's doing a fiberglass mold first, bondo and fiberglass were made for each other!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Well, I have been at it all day, and it ain't over yet. I cut out the center piece and soldered/glued some broken pieces togather. I also lay the fist coat of bondo for support, in some places. Pictures will come as soon as the camera will charge
Just fyi, what I am doing now is making a "plug" (the dash), I will make the mold out of that, a lay the CF in the mold which would be the final product. The plug is one of the most important parts of the process, as I have to modify the shape exactly to what I want the final product to look like.
Just fyi, what I am doing now is making a "plug" (the dash), I will make the mold out of that, a lay the CF in the mold which would be the final product. The plug is one of the most important parts of the process, as I have to modify the shape exactly to what I want the final product to look like.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
[QUOTE=x2jesse1x;11570326]I really hope you didnt just put bondo over the fiberglass because thats not how it works?[/QUOTE
Yes, that is fiberglass reinforced bondo, if you have any better ideas how to reinforce bondo, I am all ears. Please dont come in here with deconstructive criticism. You know a better way -- let me know, otherwise, dont post. At any rate, its a plug, I dont see why that matters.
OK, I need an opinion from everyone
Is that angle aggressive enough? Or should I go more? AND yes, that is a sprite can you see in the picture.
Yes, that is fiberglass reinforced bondo, if you have any better ideas how to reinforce bondo, I am all ears. Please dont come in here with deconstructive criticism. You know a better way -- let me know, otherwise, dont post. At any rate, its a plug, I dont see why that matters.
OK, I need an opinion from everyone
Is that angle aggressive enough? Or should I go more? AND yes, that is a sprite can you see in the picture.
that looks good put a few more degrees couldnt really hurt, i say angle it a little more, take a pic,and let us compare before we decided. You know, you could also mold this into the console for that extreme, custom, driver orientated **** pit feel.
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 1
From: Fishers, IN
Looks pretty good so far, I think. Definitely going to be better than just facing the center of the cabin. Quick question though, wouldn't pivoting the center section create an overhang right over the center console?
You could alter the center console a bit by extending the right side (at the very front, under the dash) towards you to make it flush with the actual center of that dash that your altering. (I'm not sure if that made any sense to you haha. Makes sense in my head, just hard to explain it).
You could alter the center console a bit by extending the right side (at the very front, under the dash) towards you to make it flush with the actual center of that dash that your altering. (I'm not sure if that made any sense to you haha. Makes sense in my head, just hard to explain it).
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Looks pretty good so far, I think. Definitely going to be better than just facing the center of the cabin. Quick question though, wouldn't pivoting the center section create an overhang right over the center console?
You could alter the center console a bit by extending the right side (at the very front, under the dash) towards you to make it flush with the actual center of that dash that your altering. (I'm not sure if that made any sense to you haha. Makes sense in my head, just hard to explain it).
You could alter the center console a bit by extending the right side (at the very front, under the dash) towards you to make it flush with the actual center of that dash that your altering. (I'm not sure if that made any sense to you haha. Makes sense in my head, just hard to explain it).