My ProjecTee

[Island Girl]

If you're going to use material that can absorb moisture, be sure to dimension it so that you can cover it in a layer of fiberglass to seal it, and apply resin to any holes you cut in it. . . . Even still it could become a problem down the road.

One of the materials that are used to rebuild/re-core rotted out boat transoms would be my suggestion.

 

[DonnyRay]

Hi island girl. The m.d.f is used for a buck ( form ). After I've finished shaping it I will paint it with white enamel paint. Then I will apply Vaseline over the paint ( resin release ). After the buck is completely covered with Vaseline , i'll cut out several pieces of 2 oz. fiberglass mat. The fiberglass mat will be placed over the entire buck. I will then add resin to all of the fiberglass mat. When the resin has set , I will separate my new dashboard from the buck. Before I remove my new dashboard , I will sand it ( add body filler to any lows ). It's somewhat labor intensive. I won't make a mold because i'm NOT going to make several dashboards. Just ONE for myself. HTH.

 

[Island Girl]

Hi island girl. The m.d.f is used for a buck ( form ). After I've finished shaping it I will paint it with white enamel paint. Then I will apply Vaseline over the paint ( resin release ). After the buck is completely covered with Vaseline , i'll cut out several pieces of 2 oz. fiberglass mat. The fiberglass mat will be placed over the entire buck. I will then add resin to all of the fiberglass mat. When the resin has set , I will separate my new dashboard from the buck. Before I remove my new dashboard , I will sand it ( add body filler to any lows ). It's somewhat labor intensive. I won't make a mold because i'm NOT going to make several dashboards. Just ONE for myself. HTH.

Makes sense now, not sure why I didn't understand that to begin with . . . . not enough morning coffee I guess

 

[DonnyRay]

I used pine wood ( earlier ) to make the buck for the rear window recess. I thought i'd give the m.d.f a try on the dashboard buck. The m.d.f is great ! No more pine wood for me !

 

[DonnyRay]

I'm using this stuff to fill in the low places on my dashboard buck. I changed my mind about using Bondo ( plastic body filler ). This stuff sands real easy. I still intend to use body filler on the outer surface of the fiberglass dashboard for any low areas.

 

[Gerry]

MDF works fine. I did my form in it and then made a mold from that.

 

[DonnyRay]

There's a fellow who has a ," how to " video on youtube. He builds a 1926 model t roadster body. He recommended using the m.d.f. So , I gave it a try. As you know ; it's great stuff. Your dash looks great !! We are only limited by necessary tools , necessary materials & a vivid imagination.

 

[DonnyRay]

I'm going to use 22" x 28" white poster board to make my templates. I will cut out 2 pieces of 2 oz fiberglass for every single template. I have to make 10 templates. So , 20 pieces of 2 oz fiberglass mat. I purchased 2 poster boards to make sure I have enough. I'll take some photos tomorrow before I add the 2 oz mat. I promise .

 

[DonnyRay]

My 30mm dragon eyes arrived in the mail today. You'll see where they go when you view my photos.

 

[DonnyRay]

Here's the photos I promised. I was busy today making templates ( patterns ). I was fighting against gusting wind most of the day. Light weight poster board & wind don't mix. I'll try to get the rest of the patterns cut out tomorrow so I can start glassing. The gauge cluster was too tall so I quickly added a piece or m.d.f. Problem solved.

 

[Island Girl]

This is really coming together

That's some nice custom work there.

 

[DonnyRay]

Glad you like it island girl. I did 50 pct. of the glassing today. Will try to finish the last 50 pct. on Monday. I applied 2 layers of 2 oz. fiberglass mat. I glassed 7 sections ( which involved 14 pieces of mat ).

 

[DonnyRay]

I glassed the top of the dash & the 2 end caps today. It was 106 degrees today. Supposed to be 107 degrees tomorrow. During these high temperature days , I use 25 percent hardener in my resin. I started making another buck. The new buck is for the rear spoiler that will be glassed to the pickup bed's cover.

 

[Island Girl]

Now I know where to farm out my specialty work . . . .

 

[DonnyRay]

I would need dimensions ( in inches please ). I am really enjoying the creativity. I could give it to you in a rough form & you could finish the cosmetics. P.m me for anything further. I'll help you if I can. I am greatly impressed by your skills. Lookin' forward for anymore progress.

 

[DonnyRay]

This is the ugly stage of glassing. I have to trim it ( cut away the extra resin & fibers. If you look at the lower portion of the dash , you'll see where I've trimmed . All of the glassing is finished now. I'll take more photos of the dash after it's trimmed ( more presentable).

 

[DonnyRay]

I'll also take some photos of the rear spoiler buck.

 

[DonnyRay]

This is my rear spoiler buck in the early stages of development. Looks like a stairway. LOL !! I'll fill the stairs in with plaster of paris.

 

[DonnyRay]

I filled in some areas ( especially the staircase ) with plaster of paris today. I'm letting it all dry over night.

 

[DonnyRay]

My 2 initial cuts were wrong. But , I think I managed to add to the mistake & bail it out. I am now re-inspired & my creative juices are flowing once more. I stared at the big mistake for a long time..... then a light turned on in my head. I think the operative word would be , " EURICA ".