1999 Honda Prelude Indash (56k Beware)

**SuperDave01** · 05-22-2004, 07:04 PM

Hey everyone. I've been lurking on the forums for a while now, trying to get as much information about carputers as possible. Now that I have a good understanding of most of the options, I've began putting everything together. A couple weeks ago, I started bondoing my 7 inch Lilliput in place of where my radio was.

My system specs for now are:

-Epia Mini-ITX M10000 Mainboard
-512 MB DDR 2600 RAM
-30 Gig Western Digital Harddrive
-7" inch Lilliput touchscreen monitor

More to come:
-GPS
-USB Radio
-5 channel AMP
-Power supply (frustrated waiting for OPUS!)
-USB Sound

As you can see, I still have a little ways to go before everything can be installed into my car. I'm still having fun!

Install Pics:

Cut the trim piece to allow the screen to fit, and added Epoxy glue to hold the screen in place:

Bondo-Hair, Bondo mixed with strands of Fiberglass:

Sanding:

Finishing Bondo:

Sanding and more Finishing Bondo:

More Sanding:

Primer:

After hours of wetsanding, using compounds, and buffing:

There are many steps that I skipped because they are just redundant (i.e.- SANDING SANDING SANDING).

Next I plan on building a case for my glove box. Any comments welcome!

**Scouse Monkey** · 05-22-2004, 07:12 PM

Looks really good buddy. I normally prefer it when people remove the lilliput buttons but i think they work with the curved console you are using. Just a shame you dont have little more height to fit a slot load DVD under it. Its gonna look good though when you get it in - hurry up and get finished!

Andy

**[iG]** · 05-22-2004, 09:52 PM

That looks awesome! Great job on fiberglassing & bondo.

**fondoo** · 05-22-2004, 09:53 PM

very nice dude!! i plan on doing the same thing.
is the Bondo-Hair, Bondo mixed with strands of Fiberglass: neccessary?
can i jump straight onto the finishing bondo and, sand and sand???

**SuperDave01** · 05-22-2004, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by fondoo

very nice dude!! i plan on doing the same thing.
is the Bondo-Hair, Bondo mixed with strands of Fiberglass: neccessary?
can i jump straight onto the finishing bondo and, sand and sand???

The Bondo-Hair is ALOT stronger than the finishing Bondo. While the Bondo-Hair is thicker and leaves more imperfections, it holds the plastic pieces together VERY well, and will probably never crack. If you use small amounts of epoxy glue to hold the bezel in place, then fill in the rest of the gaps with Bondo-Hair, you will get the best results. I would strongly recomend using Bondo-Hair first, then make it nice and smooth with the finishing Bondo. The Bondo-Hair is only a couple dollars more than the finishing Bondo, so it's not like your breaking the bank by buying both. Also, I'm sure you don't want to spend 20+ hours sanding and painting, only to see your masterpiece crack when it could have been avoided by spending an extra $10.

Thanks for all the comments guys. I really appreciate it.

**fondoo** · 05-23-2004, 12:07 AM

one last question. what brand of bondo-hair and finishing bondo did you use? i'm heading out to home depot tomorrow to pick up some, so i can start working on my benzel project. what sand grid did you use?? thank, superdave01!

**SuperDave01** · 05-23-2004, 12:24 AM

Bondo is the brand. Here are the two that I used:

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDeta...egoryCode=3269

http://www.bondo-online.com/catalog_...sp?itemNbr=176

As for sanding, there were MANY steps. Here is a quick rundown:

To smooth down the Bondo and shape it I used dry 400 grit sandpaper.

Before and after primer, I used 600 grit wetsand.

After a couple coats of paint, I used the 600 wetsand once again to get rid of the larger paint imperfections, then 1000 grit wetsand, 1500 grit wetsand, and 2000 grit wetsand.

Finally I used a 3M swirl and scratch remover, which is a very fine rubbing compound to get a nice shine and get rid of ALL the fine swirl marks. Make sure you have a very soft cotton cloth when you buff, other wise you'll just add more swirl marks.

Good Luck.

**Deadnick** · 05-23-2004, 03:03 AM

That is a very good job. I'm impressed. Check out what my friend "The Fixer" did to get the screen in my dash peice. The guy is a wizzard. I have a 2001 Corolla so it was a bit challanging. The paint is still drying and we will install it tomorrow night or monday morning and then get started on the computer install.

BEFORE

NOW

**SuperDave01** · 05-23-2004, 03:33 AM

Wow, that looks really good. If you want to get the paint nice and smooth, use 1500 grit wetsand, then 2000 grit wetsand, then a rubbing compound to get rid of the rest of the swirls. It looks great!

**Deadnick** · 05-23-2004, 03:40 AM

Actually the texture is intentional to get it to match the rest of the cars trim. But I may take out all the trim on the car and perform the wet sand to give it that shiny look but it may make it glare to much. Thanks for the idea though.