Miata In-Dash Fabrication

keyvan · 06-25-2006, 02:08 AM

Hey. You can see my old setup at the link in my sig. Today I decided to start actually making it look stock. Took out some bondo and slapped it on.

Right now I am a bit stuck with some little holes and also I ahve the dillema of SANDING THE CORNERS. I dont know what to do. Some kind of ball-shaped dremel head perhaps? I dont know how to do a good job sanding this.

Any tips would help.

Check it out so far at this link

http://www.aescarpc.com/dashfab/

v8 scimitar · 06-25-2006, 05:08 AM

your first mistake was not taking enough care when you put the filler on. You need to put it on a lot smoother than that, when you do it gives you a lot less work sanding it and a lot less pin holes. Start sanding with a coarse grade paper get the shape you want then go finer to fill the scratches. Using something like the dremel will take the sweat out of it but will leave you with a very uneven wave like surface. For the corners again if you put it on carefully it will give you a lot less work as you can form the radius when the filler is soft to anything you want. Only way to do it now is work out what radius you want and find something the same, dowel pencil whatever and wrap it in sandpaper. If you want a sharp edge use course paper folded and sand with the edge.
What you have actually needs another layer of filler on it as spotting is only good for very shallow fills or pin holes, it isnt strong enough for general filling. Keep at it as it will be worth it in the end and its all your work.

keyvan · 06-25-2006, 03:33 PM

Thanks,

What do you mean by another layer of filler? Just slap another layer on there? is it so i can form it better or is it because you think it would need more structural support?

Yeah, my first bondo job so i had no idea when i slapped that first bit on.

Also, if you notice on that first one where it really came out ****ty, i was actually trying to fill the edge with filler instead of using a peice of cardboard or something to make an actual wall. I thought this stuff would be like play doe. But I learned on the other edge which came out real nice.

parksgm · 06-26-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by v8 scimitar

Using something like the dremel will take the sweat out of it but will leave you with a very uneven wave like surface.

Using something like this:

Black & Decker Cyclone 4-in-1 Multi Sander

...should allow you to sand much more quickly than by hand, and without the suface gouging that results from dremeling. It has a flat bottom, and multiple speeds. $50 is a bit expensive, but I'm sure you could find one used or off brand for much less. Well worth it in my experience and opinion.

EDIT

Apparently that link doesn't work well...just go to the home depot and search for the product name if you're interested.

sciontC · 06-26-2006, 11:34 AM

you all do understand that bondo has no structural properties right?

Its just a filler made to smooth out bumpy surfaces. It will crack in a short amount of time

I rarely use filler in my projects and when i do, its just to cover the luquid plastic layer to get it as smooth as possible.

this is just an FYI, id hate to see your project fall apart

hornyleprechaun · 06-26-2006, 12:03 PM

Go to walmart.. they have a $10 electric sander.. plugs into an outlet and it is amazing.. i was working with sanding blocks and they weren't doing me any good. Got the electric sander and it worked flawlessly. Well worth the investment and will work just like any black and decker product.

keyvan · 06-26-2006, 12:06 PM

sciontC:
The bezel is attached very well with alot of epoxy. Is that enough for it? There wont be any particular stress on the bondo itself, unless it will crack from heating and cooling, or being in direct sunlight. Think I should be worried?

Shadow · 06-26-2006, 04:03 PM

keyvan, looks like you were a little on the skimpy side with the hardener. You might have problems with heating/cooling expansion and contraction.

penny1jordan23 · 06-26-2006, 04:57 PM

hey keyvan,

how do u like the exaudio touchscreen?

keyvan · 06-26-2006, 05:08 PM

it gave me hell earlier when i first got it. peice of junk. i maen its a lilliput but damn the build quality was **** on my particular one. I have 2 dead pixels first of all, and the ffc cable and connectors weer all broken. I had to jimmy rig a solution for it.

terrible, there are alot better screens out there now for even cheaper than the ex-audio (it's 215 dollars shipped at the moment)

scott_fx · 06-26-2006, 05:18 PM

you should paint that to match your car, it'd look som much better black then silver.

keyvan · 06-26-2006, 06:02 PM

scott, but i really doubt i can get it to be the same color

keyvan · 06-26-2006, 06:07 PM

shade of black i mean

scott_fx · 06-26-2006, 06:17 PM

you can get touch up paint in an aerosol that will match perfectly. it's a two step paint; base and clear, but you wont be able to tell it's not a factory match

keyvan · 06-26-2006, 07:13 PM

updated my pics over at www.aescarpc.com/dashfab . added pics at the end of what it looks like right now.

color & texture accidentally came out perfect using some unknown spray paint i found in the garage.