hey guys,

This is my first attempt at fiber glassing anything other than a dirtbike fender so I figured I would post the progress and pics in case anyone had some advice or pointers. Any hints, tips or tricks are welcome as I am a complete fiberglass noob.

I don't have heat or a/c so I figured the center panel would be a great place to mount the boost, oil and water temp gauges as well as the boost controller. I was originally planning to make plastic panels that would house the gauges but decided to try fiber glassing.

I cleaned the panel with acetone and then sanded lightly, cleaned with acetone again and then applied the resin and fiberglass. I have only done one layer so far but it seems to be working out okay.

 

looks pretty good bro! few questiosn..
did you fg over the cardboard? if so did the cardboard absorb the fg ok?
how are you planning on cutting out the spots for the gauges?

im no expert at fg but if i done it instead id use a thin piece of wood (one that would absorb the resin weel, like mdf) then pre cute the holes for the gauges/boost controler etc.. then fg over that.. once the fg dries clean it up with sandpaper/dremel.. but if you have a drill bit of some sort that would cut perfect holes maybe you way is easier..

if you need a hand lemme know.. im in central/north jersey

 

The cardboard was initially to keep the FG from drooping. I figured if it adhered well it would stay there other I'd remove afterward but the resin soaked right into the car board and it seems pretty solid.

I was planning on using a dremel or tiny jig saw for the holes. But I hadn't thought too much about that yet. I went over it with 150 grit sandpaper and it shaped up pretty good.






Thanks for the input!

 

how many layers are you planning on doing?

 

I was gonna do two and see what it was like but I think two will be enough.

 

Good start. I would use a hole saw to cut your circles, so they are nice and neat.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll try the hole saw the. what do you suggest using the 2" and then sanding a bit to open it up for the gauge?

Possible layout, though I'm thinking to move the boost controller right under the three gauges in the top panel and keep the bottom part for the Palm Pilot.




Test Fit

 

pretty cool. 2 layers sounds sufficient

 

Here's how it came out after more FG and bondo, some sanding and paint:


Also added the matching boost gauge on the A Pillar and the Profec B Spec 2 as well:


I plan on moving the boost controller into the center panel but just stuck it there for now.

 

not bad skippy

 

Nice Job! Very Clean.

 

good job

 

it look nice...

 

good job. next is the floor mats

 

Thanks, I like the way it came out too.

 

I'll be making a few more of these in the next week or so and will be offering them for sale to fellow members. You can have different 3 of gauges, different size holes, CD cutouts, etc.....

Please PM with interest.

 

If your EBC has a LCD screen it will read-out how much boost your running so their would be no need for a boost gauge too. Make sure to wear a mask when you fiberglass you dont want those vapors in your lungs.

 

The LCD on the Profec B is too small to be able to read on the fly, the boost gauge in the pillar gives me a much easier way to keep tabs on boost...but that's okay, I bought the EBC for boost control not as a boost gauge. Though I have found it's peak boost feature to be of great use.

I do wear a sanding dust mask and try to work in an open well ventilated space. Probably be better off getting a respirator though huh?

 

prob, i dont wear a mask or anything but im and idiot.. but maybe that explains.................................

 

Go to Lowes and grab a respirator. Think I paid like $20 - 25 can't remember. Made my fiberglassing experience much more tolerable.