YzGyz's turn!

YzGyz

I just like to tinker. Some of the things I do are first time thing but I like to learn. I don't trust just anyone to work on my cat. Plus it's a hobby and saves me $. I have gotten help from many people through all sorts of mediums (face to face like Jwick, my local shop, phone talks, emails, forums, ect). It's really cool to find, meet and talk to people with the same interests.

Ps, some of the things I have done would of been cheaper if I paid someone, but I wanted to do it myself.

YzGyz

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YzGyz

YzGyz

I got tired of looking at my EBC and AFR gauge ghettoly (is that even a word?) stuffed in the cubby. The cubby is was perma-open because then two gauges did not fit all the way inside. It just look like a mess! All that $$ and nice azz ride to go sit inside and see the zip tie cluster of poop mess. Today I started the gauge and EBC mounting project.

Things I thought about as I brain stormed the build.
-easy to do
-nice clean fit
-low budget
-looks like it can be OEM
-little or no car downtime
-easy to get supplies to do the project

Just a side story but I'm also building a Pepakura halo suit. This is basically a paper mache-ish suit that print out as a 2d puzzle. You then glue these pieces together and reinforce it to make it wearable. I used this same idea for the basis of my gauge pod setup.

Firt step, PROTECT THE RIDE!! I had a old roll of masking tape lieing around and tried to mask off the area in which I was going to make the mold. Fail! The tape will not adhere to the dash or alcantera. It just slips right off. I tried scrubbing the surface, with multiple mild cleaners in fear of messing up the interior, but the tape would not stick. So, I went back to the old trick again. Foil the bish! You want to make lots of tiny crinkles as you lay the foil down. The crinkle make it more ridged, allowing you to work it flat and stay in place, and allows you to work it into curves and corners without ripping. I did two layers of foil being carfull to overlap to protect the car's interior. After laying the foil was down, I took a old ID card and smooth the foil out as best I could while being careful to not rip through the foil.



Next step was to get the supplies ready. I grabs a few sections of newspaper and cut them into strips. The newspaper that you want to use is the non shiny one. These type of paper soak and absorb better, leaving better finished results.

After the paper were stripped, I got the paste ready. A little bit of flour and water mixed to a thin but gooey consistency. You don't wan the paste to be too watery as it will run right off the paper. Too thick on the other hand will clump and smear everywhere when worked smooth. Mix this paste of really well as you don't want a foul clump. You also don't wan tot make a big batch of this stuff. Make about 3/4 to 1 cup of flour worth at a time. Once you run out of the paste, its time to let everything dry. You don't want to build a tick layer of paper mache the never dies and grows mold or yeast between the layers.



Next you drag the strips of paper into the paste. You want the bottom side of the paper to scrap the side and edge of the bowl as you load the paper with paste. This evenly spreads the paste while leaving a think film of paste on the paper. Lay the loaded paper strips over the prepped area while being careful not to splash or dirty clean areas. You want to overlap the strips as you build the peper mache mold. As lay the paper, you will notice that the paper gets a little soggy as a little time passes. IF you have enough layers (maybe 3 or 4) of paper down, you can press and work the paper mache better into creases and crevasses. Build the papermache until you run out of paste. Once out of paste, carefully remove dirty items and leave the area while trying to not touch anything not wanting to get dirty. Come back later when the first layer dries and add more layers in multiple sets till desired thickness is reached.





This is where I'm at for now. First batch done. I will come back and add at least 2 more batches to ensure the paper mache mold is strong enough to retain its shape.

To be continued!!
YzGyz

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YzGyz

BoneZ

I'm intrigued...

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AV8rZ

You got my attention. Great build BTW and what shop do you use in Houston?

Memphis370Z

In for pics and progress.

YzGyz

My local guy and buddy is JTranz off Veterans Memorial on the north side of Houston.

I'm using the paper mache as a base for me to fiberglass over. It will be the base. I will then position the gauges where I want them ans then build a cover around that.

YzGyz

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YzGyz

AV8rZ

Can't wait to see the end result

jwick

JTran

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'10 G37T 6MT Graphite/Graphite - BP - G37T Build

YzGyz

update on the gauge project. I rushed the job and took the paper mache out before it dried completely. I set it in the oven at 200 deg. to finish drying it but it warped a little out of shape.. doh!! anyhoo, that was one of the problems. The other problem is uneven and too thick of paper mache in the overlapping area. It's just too thick of paper wads and I'm scared that it will de-laminate over time. The only thing holding it together is water and flour paste. Lesson learned. It did not take lots of effort nor cost a lot so, I started on a new one around lunch. This time, I think I will brush one layer of fiberglass resin on the top of the paper mache once it dries. I will then remove the whole thing after the resin sets.

Some pics of the old one.




YzGyz

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YzGyz

YzGyz

I was playing D3 making a Zon late last night. I just woke up and fiddle with the project for a bit. This 2nd round came out nice. The bottom layer of foil was pulled off and the whole thing placed back into the car to dry out the bottom.

Flashback to last night; the top layer way dry so I went and glassed it 1 layer while in car. A single layer of resin was brushed on the piece and allowed to dry. Once dry or close to it (I got antsy and fiddle with it when it was bearly tacky. It worked out great as the tackyness held the fiberglass mat in place).

I also took the time to prep the 2 gauges for resin and glassing. I wrapped both EBC and AFR in food film wrap and then added a few layers of paper to build clearance. I then Foil wrapped everything and put a final layer of card stock I had around.



Here she is with the top dried.


This is a pic of the piece after a fresh layer of glass.


One dried layer of resin on the AFR and EBC


Also dried.


Foil taken off. It looks good. It is a lot cleaner and thinner than the first one. 2 layers of paper mache.


This is the underside with the foil peeled off. It's still a little damp so I set in back in place and will let it dry some more.
.

Final picture for now comparing the first piece against the 2nd.



I will fiddle with her later. I will probably only be glassing the bottom and the 2 gauges. I have a Quiz to take and plan to hit the local 1/8 mi track just for kicks again tonight so I need to get moving on that quiz.

YzGyz

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YzGyz

JARblue

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tonyHTX

What time? Maybe I should stalk you there!

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2007 G37S [VQ37HR] Sedan 6MT - Fast Intentions Stage 3 TT - @ttv36 #tptoons

YzGyz

Dude!! Come!! I plan to be there a little after they open at 7pm.. don't feel like driving to Baytown and only getting 3 runs. At the 1/8mi, I get a dozen runs! Then we going for a few drinks after.. then head home to drink more.

YzGyz

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YzGyz

YzGyz

Stupid sky! It's cloudy but open. No rain but I hear thunder. WTH!

Anyhoo, I been messing with the project again. I got tired of waiting for the paper to dry so I sprayed the thing with the hose and peeled all the paper off!. I had to use an assortment of tools, screw driver, wire wheel, and cut off wheel. It's in a rough cut. I didn't like the little fiberglass strands poking me so I cut and cleaned up the edge. I now have to wait till it dries before I can glass the underside to add more rigidity. and glass the gauges.

Some more pics of the progress.









YzGyz

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YzGyz

jwick

What exactly are you trying to do?

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'10 G37T 6MT Graphite/Graphite - BP - G37T Build