High-end customizers/fabricators!
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From: Katy, TX
High-end customizers/fabricators! Anyone in here ever mold their own interior panels, beyond basic fiberglass trim covers, amp racks, sub boxes, etc.? I'm looking at whether or not I should attempt to custom mold some urethane foam arm rests for my project Mustang. I've done basic fiberglass work, and that's not too tough, but doing foam would be something new to screw up 
My biggest question is about making both sides symmetrical. I can always carbe one and cast a mold, but are there any tricks to mirroring the mold for the opposite side?
Assuming I give this a shot, covering the flat portions of the panel are obviously easy, but how about stretching and bonding a covering (leather, vinyl, suede) over the curved sections?
My biggest question is about making both sides symmetrical. I can always carbe one and cast a mold, but are there any tricks to mirroring the mold for the opposite side?
Assuming I give this a shot, covering the flat portions of the panel are obviously easy, but how about stretching and bonding a covering (leather, vinyl, suede) over the curved sections?
Heat Moldable Vinyl. You can find it from Select Products. basically the same stuff that the OEM guy's use. I'll PM you some more details on the place and some tricks with that stuff.
On molding the foam. Hmmm.... Since you are basically needing a mold to get the right shape to hold, I would say make a mold from the get go. Would make the most sense to me. I have only done Urethane molds twice. Both time with a mold. Just make sure to get the porportions right when you mix it. IT can over expande or over heat if you get it too out of wack.
On molding the foam. Hmmm.... Since you are basically needing a mold to get the right shape to hold, I would say make a mold from the get go. Would make the most sense to me. I have only done Urethane molds twice. Both time with a mold. Just make sure to get the porportions right when you mix it. IT can over expande or over heat if you get it too out of wack.
Ok. I'm stumping myself with trying to make a symetrical mold for the left and the right. I can't think of a good way to make that happen. I can come up with some tricks if I understand the way you are going to make the parts, but to just mold one side and then mirror it over to the other, but reversed is what is stumping me. I've done stuff that wasn't too hard, or we had basically made 2 molds that could be moved to make both the sides and filed in the foam area.
I'm a bit stumped.
I'm a bit stumped.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Angleton/Lake Jackson (South of Houston)
http://www.innovativerides.com/
Aaron could build anything.if your looking for someone to build it for you
Aaron could build anything.if your looking for someone to build it for you
