Deville DTS, Monitor Fabrication, -Nexson (Pics)

Nexson · 12-12-2001, 12:27 AM

welcome, BTW Mike, you should be getting this tomorrow hopefully

Nexson · 12-12-2001, 12:29 AM

Nexson · 05-17-2008, 01:38 PM

Hey Guys!

Coming to you with another project. The fabrication is for a member here on the forums. Mike is his name and he had me do some work for him on this panel. The project is a bit different in the fact that I will not be finishing it. Actually, Mike is having it finished in a wood grain finish to match the rest of his Cadillac's interior.

The Website to where he plans to get this done is as follows: http://www.phoenix-image.com/Hydrogr...Burlwood02.htm

As for the fabrication, the monitor Mike is using is not a Lilliput but he opted for the Lilliput case because the dimensions are exact for his monitor he has. Since it was a different screen we were able to do away with all the buttons and I was able to make slight changes to the bottom of the bezel.

To fill the voids on either side of the screen I used wood sticks that were fully glued in with CA glue, which was then followed by Epoxy putty which is stronger then any filler. I used the putty on the back as well after I CA glue the bezel into the panel. From here I moved on to Duraglass short strand filler, and then any pinholes were filled in with Rage Xtreme. To top things off I used Slicksand High Build primer. From here I went through about 4-5 primer-ing and high grit sanding "sessions." Finally, I was able to wet sand in the last stage.

I left the panel perfectly smooth and ready for whatever needs to be done for the woodgrain, I believe that they most likely use a film to cover the panel, but it has to be perfect before leaving here.

I hope Mike comes back and posts pictures once it is woodgrained.

Here are the pictures from the work!

quantum · 05-17-2008, 10:37 PM

Damn that looks nice! I wish I had a DTS!!! Oh wait, that's MY panel, LOL. Can't wait to see it live and in person. The Phoenix Imaging process will make the whole bezel and climate control match the woodgrain in the car. That process takes about 2 weeks to get it back.

I will definitly start a work log for Caddyputer 3.0. This install is going to be SO cool, cus I plan on incorporating the night vision HUD into it. details posted soon.

Nice job, Brian! Many thanks for banging it out so fast.

Hey, how about a pic of the back view where the LCD mount is (you can e-mail it to me or post, either way is fine.

Nexson · 05-17-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by quantum

Damn that looks nice! I wish I had a DTS!!! Oh wait, that's MY panel, LOL. Can't wait to see it live and in person. The Phoenix Imaging process will make the whole bezel and climate control match the woodgrain in the car. That process takes about 2 weeks to get it back.

I will definitly start a work log for Caddyputer 3.0. This install is going to be SO cool, cus I plan on incorporating the night vision HUD into it. details posted soon.

Nice job, Brian! Many thanks for banging it out so fast.

Hey, how about a pic of the back view where the LCD mount is (you can e-mail it to me or post, either way is fine.

Thanks man!

Too late for the pic, already packed up and ready to go!

yaniv · 05-18-2008, 05:21 PM

This looks sweet!

I'm wondering about the materials you used.
(I'm planning to make a similar project and I'm not sure what to get)

Thanks

Nexson · 05-18-2008, 05:28 PM

Well basically every material i use has its own separate purpose and each material is used only on a certain step in the order of the way the panel is made. Basically the epoxy putty fills in everything rock hard. This is what gets sanded down. Then I use a Reinforced body filler which i get most of my smoothness out of, then with pinholes I use Xtreme to get it right. And I almost forgot, CA Glue is used to fuse all the pieces together before any filler.

Keep in mind, I have been doing this for over 3 years and have come to use all the correct and best products out there for my products/projects and they do show. You can always get the run of the mill materials at wal-mart, they will all do the same thing, but the quality isn't up to par.

eric_barcus · 05-18-2008, 05:30 PM

that looks sooo dang good! im going to save this are the products that you explained above all the "exact" names of them? can i get a list? in order of use with a picture maybe?

yaniv · 05-18-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by eric_barcus

that looks sooo dang good! im going to save this are the products that you explained above all the "exact" names of them? can i get a list? in order of use with a picture maybe?

Yes I would love to get the names too.

Nexson · 05-18-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by eric_barcus

that looks sooo dang good! im going to save this are the products that you explained above all the "exact" names of them? can i get a list? in order of use with a picture maybe?

Quote: Originally Posted by yaniv

Yes I would love to get the names too.

CA Glue

Epoxy Putty

Epoxy Putty Sanded Down

Duraglass (short strand reinforced body filler) other names "Bondo Glass" (cheap brand)

Duraglass sanded down (duraglass gallon in picture)

Rage Xtreme Lite-Weight Body Filler (light blue) Used to get final smoothness

Duplicolor High Build Primer

yaniv · 05-19-2008, 04:56 AM

Thank you this is very helpful!

Nexson · 05-21-2008, 08:51 AM

Mike, you should be getting this today, let me know!

tundra2000 · 06-06-2008, 07:32 PM

@Nexson

-i have read a lot about fiberglassing, and im about to fab my xenarc onto my F150 bezel. a few questions:

1) what is the difference between the epoxy putty and the duraglass? how much of each do you use, and at what point do i switch over between the two?

2) what kind of sanding is done in between each step? i know you start getting into wetsanding towards the end when you want a smooth finish. but what grit is used for each step when you state "Sanded Down"?

quantum · 06-06-2008, 07:36 PM

Just an update BTW, my bezel is still being matched and dipped. Should have it back in a week or two and I'll post the finished pics right here, and in my new worklog of course.

Do I sound anxious?

Nexson · 06-06-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tundra2000

@Nexson

-i have read a lot about fiberglassing, and im about to fab my xenarc onto my F150 bezel. a few questions:

1) what is the difference between the epoxy putty and the duraglass? how much of each do you use, and at what point do i switch over between the two?

2) what kind of sanding is done in between each step? i know you start getting into wetsanding towards the end when you want a smooth finish. but what grit is used for each step when you state "Sanded Down"?

1) I use epoxy putty as for first stage of a filler, it is much stronger then any other filler and I use it to fill in the deep areas that need strength. Once you have got the surface somewhat even with epoxy putty then you can switch over to duraglass, it is really a judgement call for how much you use. To sand down the epoxy putty, take 36 grit to it. I spread it with my finger.

2) Epoxy-36 -80, duraglass 36-80-120, rage Xtreme 80-120-220 and higher, wetsand 400 and on

Quote: Originally Posted by quantum

Just an update BTW, my bezel is still being matched and dipped. Should have it back in a week or two and I'll post the finished pics right here, and in my new worklog of course.

Do I sound anxious?

who hoo, can't wait!!