center console

[tbair]

Im thinking of adding a center console to my car.I want to paint it body color and I aslo want it rounded.How do they make them? on interior guy said he used expandable foam and then sans it to the shape he wants then uses fiber glass over it to make the console. then removes the foam.any insight would be great.Thanks Tim

[Modo Innovations]

I found a good website for doing fiberglass work
http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=29
It has a lot of info in it. Fiberglass is not that hard to do if you don't mind sanding alot. You can do just about with it.

[HzEmall]

Tim, if you have some time, go thru the project section of our website, most of the cars in there have some very detailed build pics that might help you.

If you build it right you won't have a ton of sanding to do. If I can help out at all just let me know.

[tbair]

thanks for the links guys.I was wondering since I want such a complex design for the console could I use modeling clay to make my mold from?

[toxicz28]

could I use modeling clay to make my mold from?
Yes you can. That's how they make molds for body kits.

[HzEmall]

If you follow this link, you'll see how we sculpted this one off dash using a large block of foam.

http://www.hzemall.com/our_gallery/installs/1981_fiat/install.htm

It cost me $20 for the foam and a turkey carver to get the rough shape I wanted

This is the same process I'm going to use to make my console in my regal.

Does the same thing as clay but WAY cheaper and quicker.

[tbair]

thanks, for the link.Is the foam like a high desity from an fabric store? what do you use as a release agent? Sorry for all the questions.Thanks again Tim

[HzEmall]

It's the low density stuff, like used for packaging stuff, the little round white balls when you break it up.

There is better and will give a smoother result which will lead to less sanding but for $20 I couldn't go wrong, each block was 24x24x50 for $20 so for something like a dash or large console it's perfect.

We wrapped the dash in "green" 3M tape then applied our fiberglass over top of that to get the shape then turfed the foam.

[wonway]

I just learned about your forum from a member who contacted me regarding a console. I have sumitted my information to advertise and am awaiting a reply.

I offer consoles that will fit just about any vehicle. Here is my site:
http://www.classic-car-truck-consoles.com/index.htm

[DeepBlue68]

If you follow this link, you'll see how we sculpted this one off dash using a large block of foam.

http://www.hzemall.com/our_gallery/installs/1981_fiat/install.htm

It cost me $20 for the foam and a turkey carver to get the rough shape I wanted

This is the same process I'm going to use to make my console in my regal.

Does the same thing as clay but WAY cheaper and quicker.
Hey, HzEmall, I looked through those pics for that console. Awesome work! That will be a great help for when I build mine. I do have one question - why did you use body filler over the fiberglass and spend the time sanding if you were just gonna cover it up with leather? Just curious...thanks!

[HzEmall]

Cause I want it to be perfectly smooth when the material goes over it. Any decent size imperfections will show up through leather or vinyl.........

[DeepBlue68]

Oh, wow, I had no idea that you'd be able to detect imperfections that small through leather/vinyl. Thanks...good to know!

Is it tough to apply leather or vinyl? I've never done any of it before, but I'd really like to do the sides of the console in one of them, and then paint the top. The painting I'm not worried about, but using vinyl... :dunno: Does anyone have a link to a website or know of a book that has some how-to on the subject?