Thread: Mazda 6 Map compartment conversion to LCD questions

I was gonna open a thread like this. I think we are trying to make the same thing.
Yesterday I purchased some of (4-5kg) modelling clay to give it a try.
I asked the guy and he told me that it will not distort or crack when it gets dry.

Here is the link

I am thinking of making my mold from clay and after that.. I DONT KNOW 8)

Actually I am searching to find my way. I don't want to use fiberglass so I am looking for plastic based chemicals. 'The Perfect Bezel' thread by turbocad looks like using dynatron on his work but this is not a bezel, this is a housing so I am not sure if i can really use dynatron.

So I really need advices in here. Here is my

This what I would like to do


This is the orginal din size housing.


Sorry if I am hijacking your thread.

no no its okay were on the same page here, It would be nice to figure out what we actualy need for this.

I think I have found something.

http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Departme...iber-kits.aspx

There is good video explaining how to make moulding, laminating and skinning. I like this site. The kits on this site seems inexpensive but I have found a local dealer in my country selling those chemicals. Now the only question on my mind is if the carbon fiber(epoxy resin) also cracks like fiberglass in the course of time. I am asking this because I don't like look of carbon fiber and I am gonna paint it to match my interior.

The kits have epoxy resin, jelcoat, wax and release agent etc... I like how the green jelcoat works on mould making video. I don't know if it is possible to use Jelcoat mould as the last product. By doing that I wouldn't need skinning with carbon fiber and I could use it as is with a paint job.


By the way I also get a quote for rapid prototyping. They quoted me 300€ for this kind of housing(20x20x3cm)

Where are you located buddy? And yeah I was looking at this stuff too but jeez its pretty expensive for my pockets. I just wanna figure out the best way to make the mold. I know where to get the fiberglass and stuff [which is like 30$ a gallon] like I was thinking about trying to.make a mold out of some old mattress sponge stuff but that doesn't work well.... its so squishy its hard to cut... I can't get straight lines on it. But we sell these styrofoam blocks up here at my store for like 7$ a piece and I was thinking about picking two of these up for my mold. And just shaping it.

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I just bought one of those foamboards from hardware store and decided to make my own mold.



And I start to work on it. I just use a box cutter and abrasive actually.

Here are some photos of cutting work.












after the grinding work.










Finally I start to laminate my mold with carbon fiber cloth using epoxy resin and hardener.(with the help of carbonmods.co.uk)
I actually don't like the carbon look. I used carbon fiber as reinforcement. Since the housing is across the direct sunlight I didn't wanted to use fiberglass and polyurethane resin. Carbon fiber and epoxy resin is much much durable. This housing is a bit complex to turn with the carbon cloth I use in that picture.(2x2twill) I could use thin carbon fiber. Anyway this was my first try.





So this is the first layer of the carbon work. I need to raise that a bit and make the second carbon layer and lots of grinding. When I finish forming this housing I will paint this to match my interior. I'll post pictures.

Originally Posted by HunterDVincent

Where are you located buddy? And yeah I was looking at this stuff too but jeez its pretty expensive for my pockets. I just wanna figure out the best way to make the mold. I know where to get the fiberglass and stuff [which is like 30$ a gallon] like I was thinking about trying to.make a mold out of some old mattress sponge stuff but that doesn't work well.... its so squishy its hard to cut... I can't get straight lines on it. But we sell these styrofoam blocks up here at my store for like 7$ a piece and I was thinking about picking two of these up for my mold. And just shaping it.

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Just read that after posting this. Don't use styrofoam blocks as they are hard to work on it. Use foamboard instead. If you sell styrofoam you probably sell foamboard as well. Foamboards have higher density and generally used for heat isolation.

Wow man that's looking great!!! right now I'm having to pause on making the screen holder for now since I'm preparing to move. Have to save all my money =]

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I would have done it totally different but thats just me lol

How would you do it really?
Sure you do it better.
Just wondering how I should do it? One part or two part?