Taking a mold

**Rocky388** · 02-11-2006, 10:43 AM

Anyone have any suggestions on how I can take a mold of the roof without using fiberglass?

All I really need is the contour of one part, so I can make a template for my overhead console.

Here's a drawing to explain more clearly. What I need is that black line..how can I get the curves to match the curves in my headliner?

Any ideas?

Thanks

**Enforcer** · 02-11-2006, 10:49 AM

Plaster of paris (casting plaster).

My suggestion would be to get the banadges they use (or used to use) for making plaster casts from broken limbs.

**Rocky388** · 02-11-2006, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Enforcer

Plaster of paris (casting plaster).

My suggestion would be to get the banadges they use (or used to use) for making plaster casts from broken limbs.

but how would i hold it to the ceiling? I think i would have that same problem with fiberglass, it'd be hard to make it hold to the ceiling of the headliner

**bigrobb** · 02-11-2006, 11:29 AM

cardboard template?

**Enforcer** · 02-11-2006, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Rocky388

but how would i hold it to the ceiling? I think i would have that same problem with fiberglass, it'd be hard to make it hold to the ceiling of the headliner

You would need to wedge it in place, with a piece of wood and some poles probably.

or turn the car upside down and let gravity help.

edit, what I would suggest is put some masking tape (or something to act as a protective narrier) on first, then whatever material you make the mould out of on top (or in this case on the bottom)

**Namor** · 02-11-2006, 11:37 AM

my suggestion is to not get the shape of it, leave it open to the headliner where the black line is and just have the only place where it actually touches is on the edges

**Rocky388** · 02-11-2006, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Namor

my suggestion is to not get the shape of it, leave it open to the headliner where the black line is and just have the only place where it actually touches is on the edges

That's exactly what I plan on doing. It was just a bit hard to explain lol. In the drawing, the only part that's going to touch, is actually the side of the console, but what has to match is the curve of the black line.

I tried making a cardboard template, but it's not really going to plan. I was hoping there was a more exact way I can do it.

I guess I could just take out the headliner, and make a mold of that with fiberglass.....but I hate fiberglass

**shotgunefx** · 02-11-2006, 11:53 AM

How big an area is it?

Plaster could be worked (even upside down), but it's messy as all hell. You'll have plaster drops everywhere. You can speed up the drying with warm water (and salt will quicken it further I believe).

If it's not that big, I'd heat a sheet of abs at ~ 250 for 10 minutes or so, wear real heavy gloves. Remove it from the oven and try and press it against the ceiling before it cools. Don't drop it on your face

**Rocky388** · 02-11-2006, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by shotgunefx

How big an area is it?

Plaster could be worked (even upside down), but it's messy as all hell. You'll have plaster drops everywhere. You can speed up the drying with warm water (and salt will quicken it further I believe).

If it's not that big, I'd heat a sheet of abs at ~ 250 for 10 minutes or so, wear real heavy gloves. Remove it from the oven and try and press it against the ceiling before it cools. Don't drop it on your face

It's not that big (no bigger then 2 feet x 1 foot, and i'll be making it smaller too) but i would imagine doing that would destroy my headliner. I'll keep that idea in mind if I have to take a mold of the actual roof (the metal part)..which i might have to do to make a mount for this hole thing.

**shotgunefx** · 02-11-2006, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Rocky388

It's not that big (no bigger then 2 feet x 1 foot, and i'll be making it smaller too) but i would imagine doing that would destroy my headliner. I'll keep that idea in mind if I have to take a mold of the actual roof (the metal part)..which i might have to do to make a mount for this hole thing.

It might. But if you heat it right it's shapable, but not melting.

My concern would be that most headliners are meant to shrink up from flame (maybe heat too) in case of a fire. That's why you get those damn awful scorch marks instantly if someone is smoking and an ember hits it.

You could also get those foam "rulers" for recording the shape of something (they use them in body work) and try and recreate the curve. with some balsa wood. That sounds hard though.