iq_artwork
02-24-2021, 09:10 PM
Here is how I built my middle console from scratch. I hope you will find it interesting and helpful. This is my first time I’m using these products, maybe you can come with better ideas.
As a Designer & 3D Artist, I went through different ideas (like 3D Printing and rotational molding) 3D Printing can be very expensive and with the rotational molding can be super hard to get the right thickness. So I decided to go with a fiberglass molding.
Project is super messy and super smelly, lol. Make sure your wife or your girlfriend is not around, hahaha.
Stuff you need for this project:
Fiberglass Mat / 1 bag Bondo brand
Fiberglass Resin / 1 small container Bondo brand
Body Filler / 1 small container Bondo brand
Sandpaper / different coarse’s
Blue Tape
Mold Release Spray / I used Power Steering Fluid
Bonding Premier Spay / Rust-Oleum Universal Bonding Primer
Montana Spay / for final color (Montana are great and professional sprays)
One brush
Few different shapes of plastic spatulas
Here are my steps:
I taped with blue tape my OEM console.
10951
I added 2 to 3 times PS Fluid, so it will be easier to take it out.
10952
Cut in small and nice shapes the fiberglass. Then start brushing with resin the fibreglass on the consol. I will recommend keeping the gaps open. Rebuilding the pocket on the side separately and connecting it later. Leave it for a day to dry and the next day with a saw cut the extra parts, between the gaps and around the console.
10953
Take the mold out with a spatula slowly, you don’t want to ruin your OEM console, air pressure may help here. Then sanded very well. I put the fiberglass mold back to the original console and marked with a marker where the holes are.
10954
After I added the body filler with a spatula to make a nice and flat shape.
If you are happy with the fiberglass you may just avoid the body filler, but I wanted the console to be stronger.
You may have to add more than one layer to fill the gaps. Cleaning it and sanding it between layers.
10955
When it was smooth enough I cleaned it very well with a damp tower, drilled the holes then added the primer.
10956
For final paint I used montana spray, they are great professional sprays and have an amazing variety of colors.
10957
For the hand brake cover, I used a flat rubber mat I found in Lowes and I attached it with a strong velcro under the console.
10958
Option, I added some insulation to the bottom of the console.
10959
Here is the final product. I’m happy how it came out, it wasn't easy and it was a messy project but fun to see a NA product alive ;-).
10960
As a Designer & 3D Artist, I went through different ideas (like 3D Printing and rotational molding) 3D Printing can be very expensive and with the rotational molding can be super hard to get the right thickness. So I decided to go with a fiberglass molding.
Project is super messy and super smelly, lol. Make sure your wife or your girlfriend is not around, hahaha.
Stuff you need for this project:
Fiberglass Mat / 1 bag Bondo brand
Fiberglass Resin / 1 small container Bondo brand
Body Filler / 1 small container Bondo brand
Sandpaper / different coarse’s
Blue Tape
Mold Release Spray / I used Power Steering Fluid
Bonding Premier Spay / Rust-Oleum Universal Bonding Primer
Montana Spay / for final color (Montana are great and professional sprays)
One brush
Few different shapes of plastic spatulas
Here are my steps:
I taped with blue tape my OEM console.
10951
I added 2 to 3 times PS Fluid, so it will be easier to take it out.
10952
Cut in small and nice shapes the fiberglass. Then start brushing with resin the fibreglass on the consol. I will recommend keeping the gaps open. Rebuilding the pocket on the side separately and connecting it later. Leave it for a day to dry and the next day with a saw cut the extra parts, between the gaps and around the console.
10953
Take the mold out with a spatula slowly, you don’t want to ruin your OEM console, air pressure may help here. Then sanded very well. I put the fiberglass mold back to the original console and marked with a marker where the holes are.
10954
After I added the body filler with a spatula to make a nice and flat shape.
If you are happy with the fiberglass you may just avoid the body filler, but I wanted the console to be stronger.
You may have to add more than one layer to fill the gaps. Cleaning it and sanding it between layers.
10955
When it was smooth enough I cleaned it very well with a damp tower, drilled the holes then added the primer.
10956
For final paint I used montana spray, they are great professional sprays and have an amazing variety of colors.
10957
For the hand brake cover, I used a flat rubber mat I found in Lowes and I attached it with a strong velcro under the console.
10958
Option, I added some insulation to the bottom of the console.
10959
Here is the final product. I’m happy how it came out, it wasn't easy and it was a messy project but fun to see a NA product alive ;-).
10960