Vinyl to Fiberglass look
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=82765
Printed Date: May 03, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Topic: Vinyl to Fiberglass look
Posted By: seb49512
Subject: Vinyl to Fiberglass look
Date Posted: September 11, 2006 at 9:35 PM
i want to make my dash look fiberglass by sanding the vinyl, priming it, sanding finer, priming... but i dont know what kind of paint to use. i have a paint gun but i dont know if i need special paint that wont crack or if i can use any paint. and the same thing for the clear coat.
Replies:
Posted By: layzboy
Date Posted: September 12, 2006 at 12:05 AM
You'll want to remove the vinyl first, not just sand it down...you won't have very much success with the sanding method. As for the paint question, usually automotive paint suppliers will have exactly what you need. They can mix up the proper color ratio and reducer for you, and provide clearcoat.
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 12, 2006 at 1:12 PM
We've done that before... You won't have to remove the vinyl in your dash, however the choice in paint is crucial. You have to look for paint that is flexible once cured and made specifically for vinyl. VHT makes vinyl dye that work pretty well in our experience (customer wanted a gloss black interior but wanted factory lines) and you won't need to primer it. hit the vinyl with 220 sandpaper to scuff the surface and give some bite for the dye. Spray it, let dry, (about and hour and a half) then sand again with 600. Spray that and then let that cure (about a week... 3 days if you have a baker set at low) While spraying, make sure you spray in bursts and keep lots of air moving through the vehicle. Don't forget to mask off all areas that you don't want the dye to touch. If you got it right, then you'll get the look you are going for. We highly recommend getting some panel from a junk yard and practice on that so you can find your pace and technique. Good luck! ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
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Posted By: seb49512
Date Posted: September 12, 2006 at 7:42 PM
i want my dash to be smooth w/ no lines. and i live in MI so the temp makes the vinyl shrink and expand, so i do need that flexible paint... but i dont want it in a spray can... where can i buy in in pints? i want the black color. i also want a clear coat over it too. so that has to be flexible also.... this is very picky!!!
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 13, 2006 at 12:23 AM
Then you're going to have to lose the vinyl and replace it. A couple of paints and primers are flexible but they do not stretch very well if at all. If you are going to for the solid dash look, unfortunately the expanding and contracting will crack the primers and paints out there. Very picky, but it will be cheaper (maintanence) and a LOT less headache to have a FG dash made instead.
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Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: September 13, 2006 at 1:45 PM
Why cant he just take the vinyl off and scuff up the plastic underneath the vinyl the actual dashboard and then just prime and paint it with automotive paint and clear? It'll hold up just like the paint on the outside of the car will.
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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 4:30 AM
He said he wants to get a smooth dash with no lines. filling in the joints/gaps, etc won't hold for very long. The plastic will expand and shrink too much for this type of application. (Speaking from personal experience...) Under different circumstances, your idea would work fine realitycheck. ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: Melted Fabric
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 11:31 AM
What car is this for? What year/make/model?
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.
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