Luna: The cause of, and solution to, all of my problems

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

I've done a dash before (with the hand kit, not the fancy compressor driven flocker), my only recommendation is to have the dash on a rotating rig, and only shoot downwards. You are only planning to do the top so it shouldn't be a problem, but if you spray parallel to the ground the fibers have a tendency to lay down and you'll get inconsistent texture.

 

Cool, you confirmed a few thoughts I had already. Thank you.

 

Have you had any experience taping the suede-tex adhesive?

 

If so, when was the opportune time to remove the tape? From my experience, some materials like it removed immediately after applying the material...Others like to have tape removed after it cures completely. 

 

That was the main theory to test. I'd hate to make the wrong choice - like pulling the tape line after it cures, for example, to reveal a scalloped, garbage, line transitioning the carbon to flocking material.

 

 

I intend to spray both the adhesive (thinned with mineral spirits) through a HVLP gun, and intend to spray the fibers as well, with that kit. I'll have the flocking gun loaded ahead of time, while I spray the adhesive.

 

Thanks again for the insight, I'd love to get this right the first time.

 

 

 

 

Going snowboarding tonight, so the flocking practice won't happen..... But tomorrow, I intend on going into the shop to finish up the dash bonds. If I get lucky, I'll flock it tomorrow evening as well.

 

 

Follow up on that newest console I was making.

 

It turned out to be the best one we've ever made. So.... it looks like production has officially started with these. Great news. So glad all my changes have finally paid off.

 

 

 

 

 

Finished pictures of that coming tomorrow.

 

 

And after seeing the interior mocked together, with all the carbon, I pulled the trigger on this. I just HAD to. It's going to look so good.

 

 

Prototipo

 

Quick peek, before I head out the door. Love the feel, and the weight in hand. Much lighter than the stock wheel.

 

 

 

Originally, I was not going to swap the wheel, and use my customized OEM, which I still can swap to if I feel like it, but the Momo will be much more practical for my more spirited of drives/track events. I'm definitely keeping both and anticipate swapping between wheels often, depending on my mood.

 

Gonna be sweet!

Edited January 8, 2016 by OldAndyAndTheSea

[LanceVance]

Have you had any experience taping the suede-tex adhesive?

I used blue painters tape to get a clean edge in some of the more difficult areas of a door panel. I removed the tape before a full cure, but did let it sit long enough to tack up.

 

Seemed to work fine, although the piece had a natural edge to help guide the separation of adhesive on the panel and that on the tape. I don't imagine it would be any different when on a single panel, but testing on your practice piece might be worthwhile.

 

Biggest issue was angle of attack... Oh, and don't get impatient like I did, and rush the install. Until it fully cures it can easily be scrapped off and repairs are annoyingly visible in certain light.

 

In reality, I would have waited a good week for a cure, but I needed the car by Monday, and it took all day Saturday just to remove it in the first piece...

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Again, awesome info! Thank you so much.

 

When you say you waited for the glue to tack, did you remove the tape before applying the flocking? Or while you were flocking, as it reached a state of tack, you pulled the tape and finished applying the fibers?

 

Or did you have ample time to spread the adhesive, spray the flocking, wait for it to tack - then pulled the tape?

 

From my understanding the working time on the adhesive is roughly 15 minutes. As mentioned, luckily I'm only doing the top, so surface area isn't a big deal.

 

 

I look forward to trying it out. Hopefully I don't ruin my dash

 

 

Also, I plan to let it sit for as long as it takes, as I iron out wiring routing and revisions with the dash removed.

 

How durable does it become when fully cured? Fairly resilient?

Edited January 9, 2016 by OldAndyAndTheSea

[fyanrudger]

I flocked my dash and center console, as well. If you want to save yourself the hassle of spraying the adhesive, it does level out really well by just brushing it on. Durability is great overall. 

[LanceVance]

I brushed on as well, in stages working from one side to the other. Tape was removed after the fibers were applied.

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Thanks to your guy's advice I was confident enough to do the deed this evening. You're awesome.

 

 

 

Big day.


Made the final bonds. Used divinycell PVC foam core, and bonded the remaining flimsy areas of the frame to the appropriate places on the skin.









And made the remaining cuts now that the skin was geometrically stable.





Nothing left to do but flock it.

Let's practice!





And I broke the cardinal rule, and shook shook off the excess, just to see exactly how much you can get away with. I'm pleased with this result, I'm going to follow the rules with the dash and leave the excess fibers on for at least 12 hours.

 

I untaped once the control batch of adhesive developed a surface tack. Thanks for the tip. Worked well, despite even a neglected process.

The brush and mini flocker technique was so easy, given my surface area to cover, I continued to use it on the dash this evening.







I'm at that point with the dash now. I just got done flocking it. I haven't untaped yet, but so far, I'm happy with the results.  

Grand reveal, good or bad, in about 15 hours or so.

Fingers crossed!



And instead of dash glory, here is the finished console I promised, for those that care.













And a steering wheel comparison



 
Til tomorrow.

Edited January 10, 2016 by OldAndyAndTheSea

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

I flocking did it.

In my usual fashion, here are some real haggard photos initially, followed up with some slightly less haggard pictures later. It won't be moving from its low lit home for a week or so, allowing it to cure fully.

Still lots of excess fibers on the surface, once it cures I'll feel confident removing all extra.

I really like it. I am excited to see it in some actual decent light with the gauges. Mmm I think it'll look real nice. Time will tell.














Cure baby cure!

Edited January 10, 2016 by OldAndyAndTheSea

[RB26powered74zcar]

That turned out absolutely off the scale!!!  

 

BTW, where will you be keeping it tonite, and what time will you not be at home?  

 

 

 

 

 

(  joke)

[LanceVance]

Looks great! Are you considering doing the defroster vent piece as well?

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Thanks guys! I'm happy with how it came out.

My plan is to leave the defroster piece the factory finish, I think I will like the transition of textures, with the fender welting piping as a divider.

If it looks bad, yup, its getting flocked. I'm going to be flocking my a pillar pod, after I improve the fit, and the tops of my door panels to replace the microsuede that I was practicing with. I'll be developing an alcantara transmission tunnel and small carpet kit down the line.

Edited January 11, 2016 by OldAndyAndTheSea

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Hit the 36 hour mark. Felt comfortable enough with very carefully mocking up the gauges. They are as far installed as I am comfortable with, given the state of cure of the adhesive.

Love it. Pictures do it zero justice.




Today I flocked the tops of the door panels, to keep continuity with the dash.








Thanks for the love everyone.

[ryant67]

Wow, that's going to look stunning once it all comes together!

Are you going to be able to resist the temptation to go crazy and start flocking the plastic trim around the rear parcel shelf now?

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Already started flocking the intercooler piping.

 

Thinking about the valve cover and block next.

 

 

:lol: :lol:

 

 

I kid...I kid.....or do I?

[LanceVance]

Anybody else reminded of Clarkson's MK2 GTI from Top Gear?

 

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Thanks everyone. Your support is amazing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah. Correct speedometer!



Hooray eBay!




So......I discovered a problem. When I had the interior mocked together last, I fell in love with the look. I had almost zero complaints about the interior, in it's entirety, until I looked down......



Door sills.....Damn you.

So looks like I'm making these too. Haha.

They will not have all the little ridges (dirt collectors). The "Datsun" middle portion will remain. The rest will be smooth.






My plugs are fairly warped, so I decided to straighten them back up with the help of a perfectly shaped U channel as a mold. Some glass laid up on the underside of what will become the plug, and vacuum will hold the sill's surface true to the mold shape.





Once those cure, that should straighten them out a little bit.


......I can't stop....Help me.

[supernova_6969]

I've been looking at your photos, and i have a questions.  

from what I understand, flocking usually ends up with a velvety, fluffy texture..  

 

when i look at your parts (which is very nice in it's look and even-ness, I have to say) it almost looks reflective and hard.  almost like it was little bits of plastic or some kind of hard, wrinkly dense layer instead of stand up fabric-y....

 

is it the photos, or am i seeing right?  

 

that said, if it is, it's not an issue..  it's not ugly or anything, just more industrial..  

 

also, a side question, are you afraid the top part of the doors might wear out,m from frequent arm-resting and using it to pull/push the doors opened and closed?  how sturdy does the finish feel to you?

Edited January 13, 2016 by supernova_6969

[FricFrac]

......I can't stop....Help me.

You realize that is gonna fall on deaf ears on this thread. Keep it coming

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

I've been looking at your photos, and i have a questions.  

from what I understand, flocking usually ends up with a velvety, fluffy texture..  

 

when i look at your parts (which is very nice in it's look and even-ness, I have to say) it almost looks reflective and hard.  almost like it was little bits of plastic or some kind of hard, wrinkly dense layer instead of stand up fabric-y....

 

is it the photos, or am i seeing right?  

 

that said, if it is, it's not an issue..  it's not ugly or anything, just more industrial..  

 

also, a side question, are you afraid the top part of the doors might wear out,m from frequent arm-resting and using it to pull/push the doors opened and closed?  how sturdy does the finish feel to you?

The pictures I've taken are horrible. It's low lit, and I have to over expose each picture to try to capture the contrast in materials.

 

The first set of pictures looks like spray on bed liner. That is because of having lots of excess fibers still on the surface. You wait some time before knocking off the extra.

 

It is very velvety, and tight. Imagine a child's fresh buzz cut.

 

I am not worried about durability, as the nylon fibers are intended for outdoor/rough use. Resting arms on it shouldn't do anything, if I applied correctly.

 

After three days, I can still disrupt the flocking on my test panel. It's getting tougher each day, but more time is needed.

 

 

 

And thanks Kurk, I chuckled.

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Started working the plug(s) today.

Definitely much straighter.







Made a base out of some cored carbon scrap.



Roughed out....Bonded to the flange.







Should only take about another day, or so, to get it ready to mold.

What an easy shape. This shouldn't take long. *famous last words*
 

[OldAndyAndTheSea]

Didn't work yesterday, due to weather.

I picked up where I left off today.


After a little more work this weekend, this plug will definitely be ready to mold on Monday.











This weekend I plan to get some dash wiring organization/prep done. More parts are on order.

Don't stop me now ('cause I'm having a good time).

Happy Friday