Dashing around!
Discussion
At Last... things are progressing with my build after a years abstension due to more mudane but very taxing DIY work on the extension!
Now the wife is happy (er!)... I am getting time-off-for-good-behaviour in the garage... (until she finds something else to clobber me with!)
Side mouldings on...Tanks in place (although this was more awkward than I envisaged)..so my thoughts turn to things like dashboards etc:
Since I would very much like to create something a little less basic than the std (each to their own I guess!)
Whilst I can't realistically expect to emulate a dash as complex as the koenigsegg (oh if only!), I wondered if any of you out there knew of a good dash designer/ creator/ ideas Bloke( or Bloke-ess! not to be sexist!) I could chat with?
Also I need to make plans for the body spraying...and again any suggestions for a first-class GF specialist woud be very useful...
I am based around the Glos area but would go anywhere within reason to get one of the best!
cheers
Keith
Now the wife is happy (er!)... I am getting time-off-for-good-behaviour in the garage... (until she finds something else to clobber me with!)
Side mouldings on...Tanks in place (although this was more awkward than I envisaged)..so my thoughts turn to things like dashboards etc:
Since I would very much like to create something a little less basic than the std (each to their own I guess!)
Whilst I can't realistically expect to emulate a dash as complex as the koenigsegg (oh if only!), I wondered if any of you out there knew of a good dash designer/ creator/ ideas Bloke( or Bloke-ess! not to be sexist!) I could chat with?
Also I need to make plans for the body spraying...and again any suggestions for a first-class GF specialist woud be very useful...
I am based around the Glos area but would go anywhere within reason to get one of the best!
cheers
Keith
I cant really help on the dash but hopefully will be in the same dilemma myself in the coming months.
On the refinishing side though, so long as you dont have alot of 'repaired' areas on the body you can most likely do a lot of the time consuming prep yourself. If the body mould is several months old already and has a sound gelcoat finish then most of the initial prep will just involve a good fine scotchbrite (usually grey coloured) used in conjunction with a strong soapy water mix. This helps to remove any release agent remaining on the body and also provides a key for the adhesion coat (a type of GRP primer).Just make sure you use a clean bucket/water and dont drop the scotchbrite on the floor then reuse it, you will put deep scratches in the prepared surface with the tiny particles of dirt off the floor!!
Once this is done find yourself a small local but modern bodyshop. Ideally someone that has a relatively new oven and uses water-based materials. This will help to contribute towards a longer lasting shrink free finish that should last for years.
Insist on a longer low bake cycle of no-more than 30'C.
The reasons I suggest this whole process are simple really, if you use the cheaper solvent based primers/topcoats and lacquers you will get a brill finish initially but because you cannot bake the GRP to the same level as a steel body, a certain amount of solvent remains trapped in the various coats. Over a period this will cause softening and further shrinkage of the original GRP gelcoat, the end result being an uneven matting type finish which will be very disatisfactory particularly on dark colours.
Personally I would do as much prep myself as possible and spend the savings on better quality materials to do the job. Maybe talk to the shop of your choice first.
There are several good paint manufacturers, Glasurit are one of the best and have a very good plastics wet-on-wet system. (No flatting between first etch primer and final colour/lacquer coats). You might find their nearest bodyshop to you is listed on their UK website.
Very finally if I do decide to paint mine I will also use plasticiser in the paint to reduce brittleness and chipping. You may recall the colour coded foam spoilers ford used? its the same principle.
Good luck.
On the refinishing side though, so long as you dont have alot of 'repaired' areas on the body you can most likely do a lot of the time consuming prep yourself. If the body mould is several months old already and has a sound gelcoat finish then most of the initial prep will just involve a good fine scotchbrite (usually grey coloured) used in conjunction with a strong soapy water mix. This helps to remove any release agent remaining on the body and also provides a key for the adhesion coat (a type of GRP primer).Just make sure you use a clean bucket/water and dont drop the scotchbrite on the floor then reuse it, you will put deep scratches in the prepared surface with the tiny particles of dirt off the floor!!
Once this is done find yourself a small local but modern bodyshop. Ideally someone that has a relatively new oven and uses water-based materials. This will help to contribute towards a longer lasting shrink free finish that should last for years.
Insist on a longer low bake cycle of no-more than 30'C.
The reasons I suggest this whole process are simple really, if you use the cheaper solvent based primers/topcoats and lacquers you will get a brill finish initially but because you cannot bake the GRP to the same level as a steel body, a certain amount of solvent remains trapped in the various coats. Over a period this will cause softening and further shrinkage of the original GRP gelcoat, the end result being an uneven matting type finish which will be very disatisfactory particularly on dark colours.
Personally I would do as much prep myself as possible and spend the savings on better quality materials to do the job. Maybe talk to the shop of your choice first.
There are several good paint manufacturers, Glasurit are one of the best and have a very good plastics wet-on-wet system. (No flatting between first etch primer and final colour/lacquer coats). You might find their nearest bodyshop to you is listed on their UK website.
Very finally if I do decide to paint mine I will also use plasticiser in the paint to reduce brittleness and chipping. You may recall the colour coded foam spoilers ford used? its the same principle.
Good luck.
738 driver said:
I cant really help on the dash but hopefully will be in the same dilemma myself in the coming months.
Thanks Old bean... Looks like very useful advice...That leave the body paint design....ooohhh yes!
Not content with just a single colour, I am after a brill paintshop pro artist (or equiv) person at mocking up/ airbrushing some ideas to finalise what I have in mind! The basic premise is fairly challenging (not wishing to give anything away) the theme is not based on 'Mr Blobby' thankfully however, but balance is everything, so someone with a very good eye for what works what does not is essential...
Had thought of throwing this challenge to a local University... maybe with a prize for the best....more ideas please...
...all in the BEST POSSIBLE TASTE!
Crafty/ Wayne....this is a no-salacious-contributions-zone!
So... leave off! Keith
Why not approach one of the paint manufacturers UK centres, lots of their own demonstrator guys are very handy with an airbrush/spotpot and know what colours will work due to their vast experience and contacts.
Maybe you could get the whole job done by one of big names and feature it in one of their campaigns.
They are always on the lookout for something different!!!
Maybe you could get the whole job done by one of big names and feature it in one of their campaigns.
They are always on the lookout for something different!!!
Heh! - Sorry Dave
I should have checked your profile before saying that....
So you have connections with Aerospace painters.... Hmmm! Hope it's not a result of wing-tip scraping?
Not long ago I had a top Sales guy work with us from that illustrious discipline!
Seriously though - Thanks!
Keith
I should have checked your profile before saying that....
So you have connections with Aerospace painters.... Hmmm! Hope it's not a result of wing-tip scraping?
Not long ago I had a top Sales guy work with us from that illustrious discipline!
Seriously though - Thanks!
Keith
You are very welcome and in fact not too far off the mark . I did a 19 year stint in the motor insurance/ accident repair industry whilst self studying/ hour building and instructing for the career change. I used to work alongside some of the top bods in the high volume refinishing industry so did pick up a few pointers along the way.
I still think its worth a shot at one of the paint manufacturers though. What have you got to lose, they can only say no thanks not this year !
Good luck.
I still think its worth a shot at one of the paint manufacturers though. What have you got to lose, they can only say no thanks not this year !
Good luck.
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