First off I did do a search on how to fiberglass interior and all. I just had a few more questions to ask before I attempt it myself. I got a big cut in the vinyl armrest pad top over the center console compartment and I was just going to go buy a new piece to replace it. I've thought about fiber glassing the interior before but never really attempted it, but since I was going to replace the center console piece anyway I thought I might give it a shot on the messed up piece. I figure what's the worst that can happen? If I screw up it's not like it wasn't messed up already, and I can just go buy a new piece and slap it on.
This is my first time fiberglassing anything. A friend of mine told me that you can't fiberglass over the vinyl because the padding is too soft and it would crack which I can definitely see how that can happen. I read that for the dash you need to strip off all the vinyl and foam, down the to plastic. Then you have to sand the plastic to rough it up, and then drill holes through it so that the fiberglass has something to grab on to through to the other side. Is it the same for the center console piece I'm talking about? Another question I have is how much of the shape is lost from the pieces when stripping all the vinyl and foam off. How do you guys get it back to looking stock shaped or whatever you want it to be. Do you use filler or just keep glassing over and over until it builds up. How much heavier are the pieces once you glass them? Like I said I did a search and I think I got a good bit of information that I need. I just had a few more questions to ask before I attempt this on my own.
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"For some reason it is a very American thing to do to take highly unlikely vehicles and stick insane engines in them at huge cost for no reason." Oh hell yeah!!
The Hellserpent
I was in the same boat not too long ago. I definitely recommend your console lid as your first piece. When you peel off the vinyl, you don't lose any shape. Just go ahead and peel it and get rid of all the sticky glue that will remain. Now, most people will tell you that it's fine to just cover up the holes beneath the vinyl with some body filler, however, I think that leaves the lid too flimsy. The plastic is thin and I find it better to go ahead and do around 3 layers of fiberglass to strengthen it and give it something thickness. That's what I did at least and it turned out great. Just rough up the plastic with some low-grit paper and put about 3 layers worth on there. After that, sand it down with a low-grit, apply body filler and sand to your hearts content. You can also follow up with some glaze putty (icing, pin hole filler, whatever, it has a ton of names) to fill in any tiny holes that layers of body filler leave behind. Get it as smooth as possible, I took mine up to 1200 grit to make it have a very smoooth look once painted.
Woooo bubbies.
Cool. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. That was a lot more helpful than the info I got from the search button. I can't wait to get started on it!
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"For some reason it is a very American thing to do to take highly unlikely vehicles and stick insane engines in them at huge cost for no reason." Oh hell yeah!!
The Hellserpent
Evilserpent wrote:Cool. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. That was a lot more helpful than the info I got from the search button. I can't wait to get started on it!
If it turns out well I'll probably get working on the dash and door panels as well!
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"For some reason it is a very American thing to do to take highly unlikely vehicles and stick insane engines in them at huge cost for no reason." Oh hell yeah!!
The Hellserpent
the holes are so small when the vinyl is pulled off that fiberglass really isnt needed there is only like 6 small holes the size of pencil lead, just fill it with filler sand the top smooth and paint. u can have it ready for paint in less then an hours times. i did mine this way and it is going on over 4 years and 75,000 miles without any issues.
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