Do it ur-self Bodykit?? - Automotive Message Forums

ExemptX2000

05-14-2003, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by Deadboy
well i finished the foum part of the front bumper....now i have to do the fiberglassing......i started working on the back end of the car to now . I hope that i can finish the front end next week ....its just school has been a pain in the a*s.And has taken a lot of time of my hands..thats why its going so slowly. I was just wondering is anyone here bulding a bumper or somethig to...or am i the only dumba*s who is wasting his time?:p :bandit: ...i hope i can get the digi again so i can take new pix......from the last pic i posted the bumper has changed a lot.It has started looking more like the drawings i made...so far so good ....if i could get the fiberglassing right to.....well just have to do my best. :smoka:

I plan on doing it when I get some time... Def keep me posted...

Deadboy

05-25-2003, 03:02 PM

Update time:D ....so i got the cam and took some pic. remember i have had only time to work on weekends..caz school and a job has been in the way of things.

I up´t some pics somewhere on the net ENTER HERE (http://www.zone.ee/Deadhitman3/Db/)

mind the hatchlight pic:p i wanted to make a hatchwindow stoplight. I think if i had put it there more cars would just crash in my car at a stop light.
I made diferent pics on the front bumper at first without the ..amm the silver thing u put a chicken in when u cook it (dont know the real name of it:p ) .....Why ? u ask? then when i use epoks glue with the glasfiber it wound fu*k the foum.It has a littel work to go before i start the glasfibering. have to make the sides look more similer ..In one pic ul see that ome side has 2 mistakes that need to be fix´t.
There is a pic of the backbumper to. It has a lot of work to go on it. And I tought if i was gone use glasfiber i would change the hood a little to near the light.
Started on the side skirt to :p forgot to take the pic....maybe next time.
And a pic of how much foum i have left :D

P.S dont laught:p ...its the first time i have tried something like this.:smoka:
If u look at the bumper about 1km away it look good at the moment:P
Ok im gone stop with my bad english now and hope to update again soon.

chris26969

05-25-2003, 11:03 PM

good to see people trying this , fiberglass it , and paint it
lets see how this thing looks

Deadboy

05-27-2003, 03:30 PM

1 question came to mind. About the side skirt ....what to use to attach it with to the car side....the part that is lower then the door .....should i weld some bolts there ...or use some glue....or put some bolts in the skirt and make holes in the car ?.....what would be the best thing?... i am open for any ideas:D

If u dont understant i have linke here with a pic of what i am asking:p

The link (http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman3/question.jpg)

ExemptX2000

05-27-2003, 04:59 PM

Its looking good... Its gonna look really good finished... I like the idea of using the existing holes where the door ding guards go for the side skirts, I cant think of anyway to affixe them to the bottom... If ur planning on keeping this kit on, id try the weld on bolt idea, but if not and u may wanna change it up someday, id try just glue because id figure it would be easier to remove... Id like to see a side skirt if u get a chance to post that aswell... It really does look good so far though... I love that design for the front bumper, looks like an actual design, wanna say the wide mouth body kit, but I dunno body kits by heart so Im not sure... Is that wut u were going for?

ExemptX2000

05-27-2003, 05:02 PM

Now u just gotta do somthing with that puny muffler...LOL Mine on my 95 Civic looks like that... I need to do something to mine too...LOL

V00D00

05-27-2003, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by KrNxRaCer00
sorri, off topic...but that is UGLY as a mofo. cool information tho. :D

agreed
that kit looks like ass.

Deadboy

05-28-2003, 02:13 AM

I´l will take some pics of the side skirt to soon..I think il use the bolt think then ...if i would change it with a original bodykit il just saw the bolts off again..LOL i know the muffler looks kind of small....but i built a new one ...just havent had time to paint it and put it under .....i built 2 headed muffler....with ultrabright leds in em...i just have to make a system that the more rpm-s i get the brighter it lights up.....here some pics of it to....sry about the quallity...i made it with my webcam.:bloated:
Pic1 (http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman5/sumpa/Picture%20012.jpg?2)
Pic2 (http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman5/auto/sumpa%20ehitis%202/Picture%20029.jpg?2)
Pic3 (http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman5/auto/sumpa/Picture%20022.jpg?2)
Pic4 (http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman5/auto/sumpa%20ehitis%202/Picture%20033.jpg?2)

I know it not mutch but better then the muffler i have at the moment:D

el_loco_civic

05-28-2003, 02:50 AM

- sorry , but if you attach the side skirt to existin door holes, how will the bottom peice stay on when u open your door ? i think i gots some ideas tho, leemme look at my car ;)

el_loco_civic

05-28-2003, 02:57 AM

and oh yea man.. where did you get all of that Foam ?!?! i need some foam in a huge quanity like that too ! :D Im plannin on makin a Rear bumper, but out of my old bumper, bondo, fiberglass, and stuff ;)

Deadboy

05-28-2003, 07:07 AM

The foam is leftovers that we had from the house......we dident need so mutch:p ....but one pack like i have in the pics costs about 30$...+ thats not all mine(the foam) ...lets say i have friends in low places:p ......why do u think the door will not open?....LOL im not gone cover the the whole side. I will leave a space at the places where the door opens about 2mm it think.

el_loco_civic

05-30-2003, 10:04 PM

ok - jus the way it was explained/talked about , sounded like thats what was going on , thanks

xavierfg

06-02-2003, 05:36 PM

hmm, i wonder how much it would cost compared to just buying a premade body kit. All that fiberglass, resin, and foam.

Anyways, here's my idea. Trying to update the crx look while keeping it kinda oem looking, nothing flashy. hopefully will get it done before school starts again.

http://www.xavierfg.com/crxconversion.jpg

beamer inspired front, nsx vents, and 300zx tail lights and bumper

el_loco_civic

06-02-2003, 06:44 PM

looks pretty nice - if you can get that done and lookin clean, that will be pretty nice looking;)

Deadboy

06-03-2003, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by xavierfg
hmm, i wonder how much it would cost compared to just buying a premade body kit. All that fiberglass, resin, and foam.

Anyways, here's my idea. Trying to update the crx look while keeping it kinda oem looking, nothing flashy. hopefully will get it done before school starts again.

http://www.xavierfg.com/crxconversion.jpg

beamer inspired front, nsx vents, and 300zx tail lights and bumper

Well at the moment i have finisht the whoul body kit from foam ..spoliers,front and back bumper and side skirts. Sofar it has cost me under 10$ Mostly thanks to friends.But if you would have to buy the foam for the whoul kit it would cost about a littel under maybe 80$.
Dont know about the fiberclass and the blue jet. I´d think everything would cost under 250$ if ur lucky. /its cheaper when u have some of the stuff already or u have firend who are willing to help/

Ou and that crx is looking damn cool.....u gone make the back end wider?

el_loco_civic

06-03-2003, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by Deadboy

Well at the moment i have finisht the whoul body kit from foam ..

Post some pix man ! i'd like to see the whole thing done when you get done too. I jus wanna see the progress.

:)

xavierfg

06-03-2003, 06:59 AM

yeh, imma make the back end slightly wider and attach the bases of the spoiler to there instead of in the center of the hatch (something different). Also shortening the front bumper to be level with the headlights.

On your foam kit, do you plan on fiberglassing the inside part (the part coming in contact with the existing bumper) or are you just screwing it on from the sides and bottom. Because i was thinking, all the fiberglass layers you'd put on would thow off the dimensions.

Also, what did you use to cut your foam, just a knife? coping saw?

Deadboy

06-03-2003, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by xavierfg
yeh, imma make the back end slightly wider and attach the bases of the spoiler to there instead of in the center of the hatch (something different). Also shortening the front bumper to be level with the headlights.

On your foam kit, do you plan on fiberglassing the inside part (the part coming in contact with the existing bumper) or are you just screwing it on from the sides and bottom. Because i was thinking, all the fiberglass layers you'd put on would thow off the dimensions.

Also, what did you use to cut your foam, just a knife? coping saw?

No the foam wount sty in the bumper..im gone cover it with just 2 leyrs of Fiberglass and then remove the foam and just but more glasfiber on behind the bumper...so then it wount lose its shape....The only thing im gone leave in the bumper...is the upper part of my bumper where the bolts are to attach it to the car.

(sry about my bad english):p

el_loco_civic

06-04-2003, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by xavierfg
yeh, imma make the back end slightly wider and attach the bases of the spoiler to there instead of in the center of the hatch (something different). Also shortening the front bumper to be level with the headlights.

On your foam kit, do you plan on fiberglassing the inside part (the part coming in contact with the existing bumper) or are you just screwing it on from the sides and bottom. Because i was thinking, all the fiberglass layers you'd put on would thow off the dimensions.

Also, what did you use to cut your foam, just a knife? coping saw?

Cut the foam w/ a knife or whatever works, but sand it w/ some rougher sand paper to make it perfect ;) What i'd do w/ where the kit you make comes into contact w/the actual car, is .. make a fiberglass kit, fiberglass all around so its one piece of solid styro foam, covered w/ fiber glass right ? , then use contact cement or somin to stick it to the sides.. and where i can, i'd screw from car to the kit, so the kit would stay on no doubt - i'd need to try it out myself to see where i'd stand. I'll be trying this out soon tho. adding on to my back bumper ;)

xavierfg

06-04-2003, 12:48 AM

i was thinking that too, but you have to account for the thickness added with the additional layers of fiberglass. It may not fit right in the end.

Deadboy

06-04-2003, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by xavierfg
i was thinking that too, but you have to account for the thickness added with the additional layers of fiberglass. It may not fit right in the end.

yes i know that....im gone but 5 layers of fiberglass...and it will fit nicely.Should i but more layers caz i could put 7 and it will fit to...but if i but 7 layers i have to make it look like its non removable(the bumper)

el_loco_civic

06-04-2003, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by Deadboy

yes i know that....im gone but 5 layers of fiberglass...and it will fit nicely.Should i but more layers caz i could put 7 and it will fit to...but if i but 7 layers i have to make it look like its non removable(the bumper)

You mean mold the bumper to the car ? Make it so the bumper is stuck on yer car permanately ? If you're going for a little show. That will actually look good. Im also molding my kit to my car when i get it. Gets rid of the cracks between car and kit, makes it look smoother and nicer to me. :)

Deadboy

06-04-2003, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by el_loco_civic

You mean mold the bumper to the car ? Make it so the bumper is stuck on yer car permanately ? If you're going for a little show. That will actually look good. Im also molding my kit to my car when i get it. Gets rid of the cracks between car and kit, makes it look smoother and nicer to me. :)

Yes i think so to...it looks more cooler and i hate the cracks to...the only thing is i hope i dont have to make repair in the future that recuaire the removel of the bumper:p
When u finish yours ...post some pix to. Id like to see how it looks.

Deadboy

06-04-2003, 01:49 PM

Lol looks like the foam bumper ...the on one the last pix is strong. Just for laughts i drow my car with it on and damn i made it up to 110km/h and it didnt fall of:p .....ou and i may have new pics up by the end of next week ....and im gone go visit a boat building place...Why?..the make boats out of fiberglass there..and thanks to my dad i may get the fiberglass for free(or cheaper) and if lucky the glue to. And gone ask some help about the mix´es of glue to use and stuff like that.

el_loco_civic

06-05-2003, 12:55 AM

Originally posted by Deadboy
Lol looks like the foam bumper ...the on one the last pix is strong. Just for laughts i drow my car with it on and damn i made it up to 110km/h and it didnt fall of:p .....ou and i may have new pics up by the end of next week ....and im gone go visit a boat building place...Why?..the make boats out of fiberglass there..and thanks to my dad i may get the fiberglass for free(or cheaper) and if lucky the glue to. And gone ask some help about the mix´es of glue to use and stuff like that.

Sounds good man ! i cant wait for you to finish this. It sounds and looks by yer pix and description of it not fallin off :D that its gonna go well ! post yer pix and progress when u can man. Goodluck w/fiberglass'in it ! :)

xavierfg

06-05-2003, 07:06 AM

hmm, i wonder if its possible to make matching headlights to go along with my kit.

I was thiking of either using plexiglas to mold new headlights out of (it's pretty easy, jus heat the plexi in the oven for a few minutes and it turns all rubbery).

or getting a seet of clear bumper lenses and swaping the bulb holders to fit 9006 and 9004 hi low beam bulbs, then molding the lenses into the kit and removing the old ones.

OR using some hid foglights as headlights, molding them in, and removing the old ones.

It seems as if the toughest part for my design rite now is finding existing headlights that match. I was just thinking original ones would be cool.

Does anyone know if this is DOT legal?

ExemptX2000

06-05-2003, 02:36 PM

Hmm I doubt its legal the way you were describing... Besides like u said a few min and plexi glass turns rubbery, a headlight puts out alot of heat, it would prolly melt the plexi glass... I would get a set of real headlights and mold them on... Thats legal... People do headlight/tail light conversions all the time...

alphalanos

06-05-2003, 07:15 PM

what if something hit the bodykit, foam tends to like blow up..?

el_loco_civic

06-05-2003, 09:48 PM

Originally posted by hennessyvenom
what if something hit the bodykit, foam tends to like blow up..?

dont hit nuthin :o :p But that idea bout makin yer own headlights seems like it wouldnt be street legal.. dunno, but i think exemptx iz right, i'd do a swap from whatever headlights you like and mold em' in. Im doing that w/my civic 91 , got some honda accord projectorz and honda prelude tail light altezza's. Prolly alot easier than makin yer own, then makin em' DOT legal.. bla bla ;)

Deadboy

06-05-2003, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by hennessyvenom
what if something hit the bodykit, foam tends to like blow up..?

LOL.....yes but it wount if u cover it with fiberglass:p

ExemptX2000

06-05-2003, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by hennessyvenom
what if something hit the bodykit, foam tends to like blow up..?

U have the possibility with any kit u buy, I see them all over with cracks in them, even the polyurethane ones will crack with enough force, but compare $250 as aforementioned for a DIY kit to the $500+ for a fibreglass kit or $750+ for a ployurethane one... Id rather just take the chance with the DIY kit, besides I dont think hes gonna leave the foam in there... Are u Deadboy? Even if he does the fiberglass would protect it some...

Deadboy

06-05-2003, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by ExemptX2000

U have the possibility with any kit u buy, I see them all over with cracks in them, even the polyurethane ones will crack with enough force, but compare $250 as aforementioned for a DIY kit to the $500+ for a fibreglass kit or $750+ for a ployurethane one... Id rather just take the chance with the DIY kit, besides I dont think hes gonna leave the foam in there... Are u Deadboy? Even if he does the fiberglass would protect it some...

nop...the only place where the foam will stay in is the spoiler...its kind of hard to get it out of there when i cover it.

ExemptX2000

06-05-2003, 11:09 PM

Yea the spoiler should be solid anyways so that will work out great... How heavy do u think the parts with be with the fibreglass? I would assume they would be lighter than the stock bumpers... But its only a guess...

Deadboy

06-05-2003, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by ExemptX2000
Yea the spoiler should be solid anyways so that will work out great... How heavy do u think the parts with be with the fibreglass? I would assume they would be lighter than the stock bumpers... But its only a guess...

Its lighter with the foam to...but yes it might be lighter...or juts a littel bit heavier or just the same as a stock bumper. Only time will tell:D

chris26969

06-05-2003, 11:19 PM

foam blows up ? Didnt old Nissans use Foam in their bumpers?.?

ExemptX2000

06-05-2003, 11:21 PM

I dunno but I bet that bytch would float if u drove it into some water with foam bumpers... :D

Deadboy

06-05-2003, 11:26 PM

Well id think there is something good in them then.....if ud drive in to a river or smthing.....u may lose ur car ...but ud get ur spoiler back:p and maybe other things that float :D

el_loco_civic

06-08-2003, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Deadboy
Well id think there is something good in them then.....if ud drive in to a river or smthing.....u may lose ur car ...but ud get ur spoiler back:p and maybe other things that float :D

lol - thats true. But ima start pretty soon on my rear bumper. Im going for the GT Bomber look. Im gonna use my stock bumper, and get Auto Repair Mesh, make the shape i want, fiberglass it up ! and then when its dried and done, mold it to my car ( fiberglass it to the stock bumper.) Think it should turn out ok ! Cant wait, just need to buy the mesh and fiberglass :werd:

Deadboy

06-22-2003, 12:54 PM

Sry for not posting ....but i was in an accident with my friends street bike....made a 70 degree turn and slided under a truck...am still alive but im out for 2 weeks now its olny 1 week..but ya ..it sucks....just when i was starting to finish my DIY body kit to. Have to stay home ..damn.....well at least it wasnt worse..and i have a whoul week to think new thing to do wit my HB...

PS fot the street bike guys.....dont make a 70 degree turn if u dont see whats at the end of the turn doing 80km/h:icon16:

sparq

06-22-2003, 02:07 PM

I want to see these pics! :bigthumb:

xavierfg

06-23-2003, 12:34 AM

Sorry bout the accident. Hope you can get back on your project soon.

Here are some pics i have of what i'm planning to do. I got a few friends to help me over the summer. I'm still debating whether to add on to the front bumper and sacrifice having it stick out 2 inches more, or to completely build a new bumper out of fiberglass that would be thinner and make the front wheels look closer to the front, as well as have the front lights flush with the front bumper. decisions decisions....

http://www.xavierfg.com/newcrxsidesmall.jpg
http://www.xavierfg.com/newcrxrearsmall.jpg
http://www.xavierfg.com/newcrxfrontsmall.jpg

Deadboy

06-23-2003, 12:55 AM

Originally posted by xavierfg
[B]Sorry bout the accident. Hope you can get back on your project soon.

Here are some pics i have of what i'm planning to do. I got a few friends to help me over the summer. I'm still debating whether to add on to the front bumper and sacrifice having it stick out 2 inches more, or to completely build a new bumper out of fiberglass that would be thinner and make the front wheels look closer to the front, as well as have the front lights flush with the front bumper. decisions decisions...

That crx will look damn hot when its done....i think that completely building the bumper is a better idea...caz the new on will be shorter then the original.....but u may still whant to use the attachment part or are u gone mold it to the body?...the hood ...u gone fill the center part so that it looks smooth?
Ya i hope i can get back to my projeckt ...il post my pixs to ..the drawing i made when i get to go to the garage again...what u think ..would rear integra lights be worth it?

Good luck with ur crx project

chris26969

06-23-2003, 01:12 AM

if that kit was completed that crx would look awesome , hell you could market that kit. looks 100 times better then alot out there.

ExemptX2000

06-29-2003, 04:31 PM

Sorry to hear bout the accident Deadboy... Happy to hear your gonna alright though... Cant wait till you can get back on the project...

Xavierfg, that CRX will look really good once its done...

Caz&Effect

07-12-2003, 05:27 PM

Hey, can u use the styrofoam that come in boxes or do u have to get a special type of foam?:confused:

Deadboy

07-14-2003, 12:53 PM

The latest pics...here the latest pics from the outside and the inside......maybe....it still need a lot of work but now im up and running again

here the link The link thingi (http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman7/car/) :bigthumb:

ExemptX2000

07-14-2003, 09:12 PM

Thats starting to look really good man... :bigthumb:

Im loving that CRX pic u got of yer friends car... Thats one nice car...

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman7/brians_car.jpg

ThePRobed

07-14-2003, 09:48 PM

Thats pretty amazing for a DIY! But the rear bumper doesnt look like it will last long. What are you thinking as far as painting the car?(im guessing red) Just curious, do you have any sculpting or ceramics experiance 'cause that kit looks pretty proffessional.

Deadboy

07-15-2003, 12:46 AM

Originally posted by ThePRobed
Thats pretty amazing for a DIY! But the rear bumper doesnt look like it will last long. What are you thinking as far as painting the car?(im guessing red) Just curious, do you have any sculpting or ceramics experiance 'cause that kit looks pretty proffessional.

Nop i have no sculpting or ceramics experiances....i just tought one day that how hard can it be. So i started building...but to build the bumpers and skirts its easy as i found out. Ya i was thinking red or black or red and black. Ou the front bumper will last...atleast im hoping so:bigthumb:

Deadboy

07-15-2003, 06:39 AM

found 2 more pics:iceslolanhttp://www.zone.ee/Deadhitman7/P1010003 copy.gif
http://www.zone.ee/Deadhitman7/P1010002 copy.gif

Caz&Effect

07-15-2003, 01:14 PM

Look'n pretty TIGHT man. :bigthumb: Are u using the factory mounting hardware to hold it into place?

Deadboy

07-15-2003, 01:27 PM

Originally posted by Caz&Effect
Look'n pretty TIGHT man. :bigthumb: Are u using the factory mounting hardware to hold it into place?

Ya if u look at some of the other pic i have posted ul see that half of the bumpers are the original stock rear and front bumper ........here is a pic
http://www.zone.ee/Deadhitman7/P10150012.jpg

Deadboy

07-15-2003, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Caz&Effect
Hey, can u use the styrofoam that come in boxes or do u have to get a special type of foam?:confused:

If ya like to but puzzles to getter then u can us it ...but id think the foam that they use when building houses ....is better and u can get it from any construction material shop:biggrin:

Caz&Effect

07-16-2003, 03:46 PM

aight, cool, thanks fer the info

RaZzor

07-17-2003, 03:00 AM

how about using and can of great stuff.it comes in the spray can and it hardens.....then u can and the foil and the fiberglass.....just a thought but that stiff foam looks like a good idear...im going to do a wide body kit on my 95 civic ex 2 door...heres a link on how its going to look

its the last pic to the bottom

http://autoshow.permaisuri.com/Content/autoshow.asp?autoid=20030714031553

chris26969

07-17-2003, 12:29 PM

that would be extensive to make.

Deadboy

08-04-2003, 11:02 AM

Ok im finished .....but the cool thing is i cant up pics at this time caz our digi got stolen from the office:mad: Well and im gone buy a new one next month maybe if my father dosent buy a new one sooner...but the bumper is done . Just have to mold it to the body and then the paintjob...lol the funny thing is that i have only spent about 80$ on all the things from the foam to the fiberglass. All the fiberglass glues and tools cost only 38$...wiggy stuff i thought it would cost me about 200$.......hope to get some pics up soon...it look OK:bigthumb:

chris26969

08-05-2003, 09:02 AM

ive been waiting for this for a while , this post kinda died . Now i see you finished , maybe it will encourage other people to start making there own too.

ExemptX2000

08-05-2003, 08:43 PM

Glad to hear your finally finished... Cant wait to see it! :bigthumb:

lkailburn

08-13-2003, 03:55 PM

cmon, lets keep this thread alive. i was sooo stoked when i was reading through this. i'm really pumped up to make my own lip kit for my 97 civic. i was thinking of something similar to the tsunami one. hey post those pics if you finished your kit man!

aCordiaN

08-13-2003, 06:46 PM

Hey, ya man, common, post some pics, we really need 2 c it.

I was looking 4 some kewl side skirts 4 my '91 Accord Coupe. But when i didn't find wat i was looking 4. I made mine the same way, with foam.

I compleated the left side, now i just need 2 paint it & install it. As soon as i install it, i'll get some pics 4 sure.

{"peace"}
{~aj~}

lkailburn

08-14-2003, 02:16 PM

Deadboy

08-15-2003, 02:38 PM

lets get some more tips/suggestions in here. i bought a block of foam to practice my skills( or lack there of). but i'm really pumped to start making my lip. can anyone think of a shortcut on making it considering i'll still be using my front bumper. is there a way i can just make a mold of the car, and then work with that somehow?
ps. that is not my car in the pic, but is exactly how it looked on day 1. now i have a DIY type R grill and i cleared out the headlights. i also have a sunroof.

First of all id post some pics but i dont have a digi at the moment got stolen and all my money has gone in the car and tools. But as soon as i get a camera il get the pics up.
There are 2 ways u can make it 1) like the do it in the shops....then u have to add ur modification to the bumper that u made from the foam..and cover the foam part with somekind of material like some kind of tape so that the glue wount melt the foam. attach it to the stock bumper and then cover the bumper with fiberglass and then u have a mold that u can use to make lot of bumper with the lip molded to the bumper and with no mistakes ..u just have to paint it but i took a shortcut not easy but i tought id take it cas im just gone build 1 bumper....the same steps but i used the mold ....ya it need a lot of work cas there are a lot of mistakes on the front side of the mold ..but its smooth as hell inside the mold ....but if ya got the time...its worth it ....but if u want to make a lot of $ then use the mold to make em.
hope this will help u ...there shold be a lin on the first page there u will se how some guy build his ford a lip.

xavierfg

08-17-2003, 03:35 PM

how did you stick the foam on to your existing bumper w/out ruining the paint on it? .. I want to try this out, but i dont want there to be scratches on my paint when i take the foam off if i cant get the foam shaped how i want it.

aCordiaN

08-18-2003, 01:48 AM

Hey, I 2 want 2 know how u managed 2 hook up ur creation 2 ur ride. I did make a side wing 4 my '91 Coupe, but right now im just trying 2 figure out how i would go about attaching the thing 2 the car. I have some ideas, but i want 2 get all the ideas there could b, b4 i actually do start doing nething.

This wing i made is like almost perfect, so i don't want 2 ruin it.

Waiting 2 hear u, and pics will just make things e-zier.

Thanks,

{"peace"}
{~aj~}

lkailburn

08-22-2003, 12:34 PM

I've started my project!!!! :iceslolan :iceslolan
I'm going to make my own front and rear lip for my 97 civic. ohhh man, i can't wait for it to be finished. but i am far far away from that. i barely just started. this is going to be my winter project, so i will roll out this spring with front and rear lips that no one in the world has!!! talk about one of a kind. i'll keep updating you guys, but beware, it will take a bit. i have 2 projects i need to finish first before the fall and they are painting my exterior trim (mirrors, door handles, side moldings, and skirts) to match my color, and then i'm redoing the interior as well. wish me luck!!!

lkailburn

08-23-2003, 10:54 AM

this is what i want to make. same as ctr lip, but has a little more style to it. one of a kind! :wink:

lkailburn

08-23-2003, 10:56 AM

i'm also thinking of making new skirts, if i do, they will be almost the same as stock(just to keep things easy and simple) but i will carry that design onto them towards the back

Deadboy

08-25-2003, 08:28 AM

Well for the bumper i and u could use the old bumpers parts but for the side skirts ...i used the existing holes that aret here /in the center of the side that are used to hold the plastic things/ and i used some kind of aluminium plates/can get from any construction shop...and pop-ribits....id make some pics but no camera to make the pics with..il post the pics someday when i get a new camera. :smile:

xavierfg

09-04-2003, 11:19 PM

I posted a while before here w/ some sketches of my plans, and now here i am starting them.

I finalized the front bumper (still gotta cut out the left/right vent holes after the fiber is down though). I also have the template for the side skirts, jus gotta cut it out of thicker posterboard and attach them w/ more blue masking tape. After that, then the glassing starts.

NOTE: the reason why the bumper and skirts are so high off the ground than normal bodykits is that i have to leave some room for when i lower my car.

So here are just some pix of my progress, you can follow it along at http://www.xanga.com/xavierfg if you are interested.

Right now, its all blue masking tape and posterboard, but i will be fiberglassing it this weekend hopefully. School's been a bitch, started my last year in HS this week, so progress might be going slower than i hoped. i spent most of august finding parts and doing my mpfi swap on my car w/ auto tranny (.. yeah, i kno, i'm too poor to get an si right now, or a new engine/tranny).

So here are a few of the pix i took ...

http://www.xavierfg.com/isobody1.jpg

http://www.xavierfg.com/isobody2.jpg

http://www.xavierfg.com/newbumper.jpg

lkailburn

09-05-2003, 04:22 PM

nice job man, keep up the good work and post lots of "in progess" pics

xavierfg

09-07-2003, 08:47 PM

Here are some new pix from today. The pix of the car in the sun w/ bondo are prior to sanding. I didnt take any pix of the fiberglassed bumper cuz it was my first time fiberglassing, and my skills are horrible (were horrible). So, it looked kinda nasty. So its taking a layer or two of bondo to cover it up. The night shot w/ bondo is the final layer of the stuff, and i'll sand that down and put on primer some time this week (depends on school). Sideskirts are still being fiberglassed (ran out of brushes, so gotta wait).

http://www.xavierfg.com/newbodyprofile1.jpg
http://www.xavierfg.com/sideskirtsprofile.jpg
http://www.xavierfg.com/bondofinallayer1.jpg
http://www.xavierfg.com/bondofinallayer2.jpg
http://www.xavierfg.com/isopriorsanding.jpg

chris26969

09-07-2003, 09:45 PM

wow , good progress Lets keep this thread alive , Im very interested in progress pics and soon enough a painted finish pic.

99civic03

09-08-2003, 12:16 AM

That looks awesome for a DIY, be sure to keep us posted, I wanna see how this turns out.

99civic03

09-08-2003, 12:21 AM

Mods :
-3" Full Cat back exhaust
-K&N Filter
-Ram Air
-BOV , made by who knows
-2 inch Drop
-Red/Orange paint job
-17" rims
-Indigo Gauges

JW, the BOV seems kind of out of place considering theres no turbo setup, unless theres something im missing...I apologize if you are running a turbo setup though.

EDIT: My bad, didnt see that you had a GSX. forget I ever said that.

lkailburn

09-08-2003, 11:06 PM

hey nice job man, lookin very sweet. could you tell me how you did the skirts, like how do they attach to the car. and how long did it take you to make the front bumper and what did you use? plz i'd really like some help so i can make mine for my civic. thanks man

xavierfg

09-08-2003, 11:50 PM

the skirts are just made of posterboard backed by stiff cardboard, then fiberglassed over. i'm probably gonna do 6 layers so its rigid, then put body filler and sand them down flat.

it took me about 2 days to build the front bumper shape out of posterboard and masking tape. another 2 days to fiberglass it, and right now i'm working on smoothing it all out with body filler, so far on my 3rd day with that (only cuz of school).

I suggest you use an orbital sander for smoothing out (i learned the hard way). its REALLY fast on body filler. but makes ure to chop off any realy sharp and pointy projections, w/ a sanding block before going at it w/ the orbital.

T!mmy

09-10-2003, 11:55 AM

that's badass...nice work man...I would do the same thing BUT I want urethane and can't exactly do your own urethane. :frown: regardless nice job man, keep posting pics.

lkailburn

09-12-2003, 05:06 PM

xavierfg

09-12-2003, 06:58 PM

Hey, i went to your site to look at all of your pictures, and there is a picture where your front bumper is 1/2 covered in duck tape, and 1/2 covered in tin foil. did you cover your front bumper to make like a blank template to carve out a new design on? even if you didn't, seeing that picture gave me a wicked idea. please if you could, tell me your fiberglassing steps. like did you fiberglass both front and back etc.

well, that was my original plan. It is probably the best way to do it if you arent definite on your design, or new to fiberglass. i was limited on time, money, and materials, so i chose instead to just build on to the bumper itself. i ended up ripping off the duct tape and foil in that pic, and starting over making cardboard shapes and designs, then fiberglassing everything together.

anyways, one thing i learned is, dont overuse bondo. i used too much and it was cracking all over a few days ago, so i parked it back in the garage and decided to fiberglass over it, because i got my technique down and i'll do a lot more layers than before. good thing i didnt paint it yet, heh. if anything, the more layers will give it extra strength. and as for weight, it will just probably balance the car back out, since i have a huge sub box in my trunk anyways.

lkailburn

09-12-2003, 07:52 PM

hey awesome man, i appreciate your tips on what you've done. keep us up to date with everything ok! goodluck man
Luke

TakimotoRacing

09-15-2003, 04:44 AM

Yo thats a mad idea. i did a foam rubber body kit for my 99 civic HX complete with fender flares and type R (well, almost!) lip but wrecked b4 i got it finished (imagine wrecking your car with an UNPAINTED body kit. how embarrasing) but that looks good DEADBOY, real good. keep it up :)

clubcav_com

09-16-2003, 11:52 AM

omg you're kidding you can actually do that??

wont it rip off when you go over a speed bump?

- Moderator
www.RateMyHonda.com
Is your honda nice...or rice?
www.RateMyHonda.com

Deadboy

09-18-2003, 03:41 PM

sry for not posting 4 a long time but im back and got pics......looks like some of u have been working hard ......looking good :smile: the crx skirt and bumper a starting to look good.......here are some of pics i finaly took of my progress...

amm here is a link where some of the pics are...the last 4 are of the progress :)

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman7/2003/

esp

09-18-2003, 06:11 PM

i am still kinda iffy on this, cause it still looks pretty rough to me, the surface isnt even level, its all bumpy, and then the front the little holes and curves are not even the same, still needs a lot of work, to even look good in my book,

xavierfg

09-18-2003, 09:43 PM

here are some new update pix, .. i typed some stuff about it at http://www.xanga.com/xavierfg .. buh i'm too lazy and tired to retype here (or evn copy and paste, haha, school is a bitch). Read up there if you want, and NOTE: its still not done, thats not final coat of primer or final sanding before paint (my excuse for it looking like crap right now, heh).

Oh, and, I'M LOOKING FOR A SET OF CRX OEM SIDESKIRTS AND FRONT BUMPER if anyone has any lying around. i just wanna keep an extra set in case i have to swap out these parts if hurricane Isabella lays waste to my developing kit or if it ever snows hard here, hehe. just email me at xavier@xavierfg.com or pm me or something, thanks.

ALSO: i'm considering trading my skirts and bumper (in the condition they are in now, almost done) w/ someone for stock bumper and sideskirts if anyone is interested. I got a new design idea and more money, so i was thinking of starting over. Also, i wanna use the stock stuff during winter, cuz i dun wanna wreck the kit in the snow.

http://www.xavierfg.com/bumperprimeriso1.jpg

http://www.xavierfg.com/bumperprimeriso2.jpg

http://www.xavierfg.com/bumperprimerside.jpg

lkailburn

09-20-2003, 11:52 PM

wow man. congrats, the kit came out awesome. i can't wait to see some primer and paint slapped onto that. are you gonna sand anymore or you finished up?

lkailburn

09-21-2003, 12:29 AM

oops, maybe i should have read the text bfore replying. lol. well i can't wait till you finish sanding and then primer and paint.

xavierfg

09-26-2003, 06:19 PM

aha, i spoke too soon.

After isabella hit, the rain leaked in and it soaked the inner layers that were layed down on the masking tape and posterboard. The retention of the water inside eventually made the bottom half of the bumper and the side skirts crack. So i ended up just ripping them off. Oh well.

Maybe I'll try again after apps are done, or maybe i'll make just a lip for now.

lkailburn

09-26-2003, 08:48 PM

awww man that sucks. :banghead: i'm sorry. whats your strategy for making your lip. are you going to use any techniques you would like to share? i'm still hoping to make a lip myself.

mattcivic

10-02-2003, 10:00 AM

If I was to take a body kit from a friends car, coat the inside with aluminum foil, make a thin "mold" of the inside of the kit, remove it, and than fiberglass like 5-7 layers I would have my own body kit that cost about like maybe $500 cheaper, depending on the price of the kit. Or maybe use like bondo or something that will mold to the exact inside shape of the kit. That's pretty much how the kits are made in the first place, by the company making a mold and than turning out hundreds of kits. Unless they make the mold to fit the outside of the kit rather than the inside. But I'm sure that somehow you could make a mold of the kit and than glass your own of whatever style you wanted. I have read that you should use your "X" number of layers of fiberglass, and than coat the final layer with Duraglass to make a harder, more durable sufrace to prep for sanding, if that helps anyone. At least thats what they say in custom sub-enclosure forums. Molding your own kit form an existing one sounds like a lot of sanding and prep work though. Too much for me. Might work though.

etcraze

10-02-2003, 07:50 PM

about the glue..maybe use emersion glue. it water base and its cheap. its just an idea. it might be stupid. for foam you can probably buy it at home depot, which someone mention or go to a art supply store. i think depot would be a lot cheaper.

Deadboy

10-22-2003, 03:40 PM

xavierfg....damn it looked good.....damn sry to hear about what happoned...that must suck....and just when it was starting to look realy good......but how did it crack? :eek7: ....u used the fiberglass and it cracked ...thats new.What kind of fiberglass did u use?....i had 3 diferent types of fiberglass i used on my bumper.....it could be the blue to....dont know......if u have palce near u where they make fiberglass boats ....u could aske them where to get the glue and fiberglass that they use...i did and it holds ....i have only 3 layers of fiberglass on and its hard as hell.

jason11762

10-26-2003, 11:39 AM

lol good luck tryin that shit to make ur own kit, my friend tried it wow it was such a pain to add the fiberglass sheets down, good luck

Deadboy

10-26-2003, 12:33 PM

No actualy it isent hard when u get the hang of it.....ya it was...to get one layer on at first it took me 15 min....now i can get 5 layers on in 15min........the best part is when u get it finished and it looks good :iceslolan ...but i still have to finish the spoiler and mold the parts on to the car....but the cold weather...is a problem. The clue i use need at leat +10c and its like -5c in the garage :mad: ...but hope that i will finish it before the end of school.

Caz&Effect

11-09-2003, 03:48 PM

yes cold weather is a byatch. if you got a garage to work in, just go out and buy insulation, put it everywhere, and get a heater. and be careful with fiberglass and cold weather, hot to cold shock can cause it to crack, but its easily fixable. i also got another way for pepole to make a "template" for their body kit. rather than using the stock pieces and fiberglassing a mould and adding on to it, you could use chicken wire, the kind with 1x1cm squares, its easily bendable/formable, u can keep the wire attached to the fiberglass for added ridgedness. about the only thing that might get annoying is that it will take a while to get the wire straight, but its worth it.

GTR...GTR...GTR

11-22-2003, 08:38 AM

Don't let this thread die!! I want to see other peoples projects for when I do mine!!!

lkailburn

11-22-2003, 10:52 PM

Don't let this thread die!! I want to see other peoples projects for when I do mine!!!

my words exactly :biggrin: ..cmon people, anyone got any updates?

chris26969

11-23-2003, 12:50 AM

I would start one, but Its getting to be winter and i dont have a garage :mad:

Deadboy

11-23-2003, 01:52 AM

jee the cold weather can be biatch.....i have a garage but it takes just 3h to warm the place up :banghead: .....im till working on my project but its going slow....ill up some pics soon...if i can then before the end of next week caz its not just the weather its school to that gets in the way......i dont think that this thread is dead.....atleast i hope its not. :biggrin:

GTR...GTR...GTR

11-23-2003, 05:32 AM

You could do it in yer house. Just take off the bumpers or get some from a junk yard and put down a painters tarp and work on it there.

Deadboy

11-23-2003, 05:40 AM

You could do it in yer house. Just take off the bumpers or get some from a junk yard and put down a painters tarp and work on it there.
Have u ever worked with fiberglass? :p ....the small fibers stick to everthing and its hard to remove them + it makes u itch like hell.....an then there is the glue .....ye when u woork with the glue a long time u forget the smell....but its a strong smell.... lol its a good way to get rid of people in the house but its best to work in a garage :biggrin:

GTR...GTR...GTR

11-23-2003, 08:02 AM

Never worked with it before. But I figured it's a pretty strong smell.

How do you put the fiberglass on? What do I need to do to work with it? 'Cus I have no idea what I'm doing.

Deadboy

11-23-2003, 08:20 AM

[QUOTE=GTR...GTR...GTR]Never worked with it before. But I figured it's a pretty strong smell....
QUOTE]

Its easy.... just have to cover the surface that u whant to cover then put the fiberglass on and cover the fiberglass with glue again and put on a nother layer....us some kind of brush to put the glue but dont make a much glue caz it hardens quickly if its warm.....i had some kind of rolling thing that i used to get the air out of the layer.....but u only need it when u are using separate fiberglasses......when u cover the shape ur making the only thing u have to do is to make sure that it stays like that.......sometimes it can come loose and ruin the thing.

GTR...GTR...GTR

11-24-2003, 06:35 AM

What kind of foam are you using? Is it the kind with the little cells? Doesn't it just rip apart?

blueaccord19

11-24-2003, 04:14 PM

GTR...GTR...GTR

11-24-2003, 07:24 PM

Pretty much from what I've heard it's a real bitch to DIY unless you've got a background in welding

spoony78

11-26-2003, 06:45 AM

As the subject says.

Got so many ideas :)

eckoman_pdx

11-26-2003, 07:09 AM

Kinda off topic, but i have heard that the DIY lambo door kit at lambodoors.com is a great and cheap way to put lambo doors on your car, but i was wondering if anyone has tried it and if so what all kind of work goes into it? Is it more work than it's worth? Or is it farely easy for what you get and the money u save? Thx

The DIY thing there IS NOT a kit....it is "instructions, on how to DIY, and the "instructions" are actually a actrile printed in the July 2003 Issue of Hot Compacts and Imports, I think it was pages 106-112. It was a article with photographs showing the process of installing the Decah VDC. Notice, the "lambodoors.com Kit" isn't a kit, it is instructions, it says so on the site. The site says, includes step by step instructions on how to get your doors to swing vertically. PARTS SOLD SEPARETLY. The Instructions, are that arctile on the Decah install from the July issue of HCI. You don't need to pay lambodoors.com $50 for this shit, call HCI and get the July 2003 back issue, it shouldn't more than $8. Look up pages 106-112. There you go, the "instructions" for $43 less. The parts the use it those "instructions" is the Decah VDC. Or, call Decah and ask Kevin to send you then article with the instructions and pictures of the install from the July 2003 issue of HCI, he should be willing to send you that for free. Anyways, lambodoors.com is a ripoff, they are tricking people into thinking they are giving you a kit and instructions. As I said, all it is is the article on a Decah VDC install from the Julyt 2003 issue of HCI. You can certianly get that a hell of a lot cheaper than the $50 they want. Remember, it was orignally only $3.99 on the newstand.

lkailburn

11-26-2003, 07:57 PM

what do you guys usually use as a release agent when glassing? what has worked the best? i thought about using a combination of aluminum foil, masking tape and suran(uhh spelling..) wrap

lude_si

12-01-2003, 11:07 PM

what do u mean by taking the foam out? on page 5? sorry i just read this all

Deadboy

12-02-2003, 07:10 AM

what do u mean by taking the foam out? on page 5? sorry i just read this all

Well u will have to remove the foam part...caz u will need to have the space were the parts are that will hold the kit to ur car.....and if ya dont remove the foam it will look wierd when u go get the car look over at a garage :iceslolan

xs081

12-02-2003, 10:40 PM

definatly try home depot, they have insulation foam that comes in long sheets, something like 2'x8'. Maybe not that long, but they will have, ass for the thicknss, just glue pieces together.

Deadboy

12-17-2003, 01:30 PM

Ok .....some more pics...eveything has stoped for some time caz havent had time to weld the rear wings(the black plates in the pics)...and the cold wount let me work with the glue .....it hardens but its not strong. My fater promised to get a heater so that i can finish....lol at first my dad said that its a wast of time but now he is suporting 100% :biggrin: .......lol and just wandering are DIY kits street legal.....some guy said that the parts must be inspected and approved by someone 4 the safty of people on the street? :eek7:
Here is the ugly duckling :smile:
http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160370.jpg

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160371.jpg
The front end
http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160382.jpg

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160383.jpg

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160384.jpg
A idea that i got from a BMW Z3
http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160385.jpg

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160396.jpg
MY muffler at night :biggrin: ...uuuuu ..spoooky
http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160397.jpg
Need ju sand it down and ...wollaaa....maybe 1 layer more
http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New Folder/PC160405.jpg

chris26969

12-17-2003, 02:39 PM

Pics no worky.

Deadboy

12-17-2003, 02:50 PM

Wierd :dunno: .....here is the link were pics are uped http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New%20Folder/

chris26969

12-17-2003, 03:00 PM

thanks.

Deadboy

12-17-2003, 03:13 PM

thanks.

Weird thing...i see the pics but others dont :mad: ...u know what could be the prob?

lkailburn

12-17-2003, 05:33 PM

man i've got to hand it to you. you've done a really good job on fabrication so far. i'd have to say, your tastes are pretty ricey for me, but you deffinitly score in the fabrication area! again awesome work on the kit and stuff. just out of curiosity, how did you make your z3 inserts? what did you use to make a mold like that?

lkailburn

12-17-2003, 05:45 PM

uh just so my question is clear-- i know that you used fiberglass cloth to make the mold you are holding in the picture, but what did you actually use to construct the original object?

Deadboy

12-18-2003, 05:17 AM

uh just so my question is clear-- i know that you used fiberglass cloth to make the mold you are holding in the picture, but what did you actually use to construct the original object?

Same as the other parts

here some pics its 2 pic not finished but ul get the idea.....i just made some measurement and then draw them on the foam and used a razorblade knife.

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New%20Folder/PC160390.jpg

http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New%20Folder/PC160391.jpg

Hope it helps u :smile:

lkailburn

12-18-2003, 11:20 AM

um- those two pics you posted don't work ?

Miataracer

12-18-2003, 01:32 PM

when do we get pics of the finished product

Deadboy

12-18-2003, 03:45 PM

um- those two pics you posted don't work ?

they should work caz i upet the pics to the same place were the other pics are that i uped yesterday.

BLU CIVIC

12-18-2003, 03:51 PM

linky no worky

lkailburn

12-20-2003, 03:22 AM

ya idk man, those last 2 links still don't work. double check to make sure all the spelling is the same and stuff like that

lkailburn

12-20-2003, 03:26 AM

yo, if you just go to the index page( http://www.zone.ee/deadhitman6/New%20Folder/ ) and find those two picture names it worked. i saw the two pics of the foam. thats really cool man. keep up the good work

dubt

04-07-2004, 03:58 PM

I got a 91 4 door geo metro and I'm thinking of fiberglassing a body kit over chickenwire for the front bumper. any ideas for attaching the chickenwire? I'll have more details when i can scan the sketches ive made. the bumper will be almost straight down vertical with a big ass grill in the middle

alphalanos

04-07-2004, 04:05 PM

please dont use chicken wire. at least go to a body shop and pick up some actuall grille mesh.

lkailburn

04-07-2004, 04:20 PM

i think he means he'll use the chicken wire to make the shape of the bodykit..gives him something to lay the FG down on.. but if he does mean to use the chicken wire for a grill..please don't.. just buy some gutter guard..atleast that stuff looks like real grill mesh

dubt

04-08-2004, 03:07 PM

I meant to use the chickenwire for the shaping of the kit. for the grill i was thinking of expanded metal

alphalanos

04-08-2004, 03:09 PM

sorry i didnt read it carefully enough.

Blitz_Runner

04-08-2004, 04:05 PM

foam is not gunna last long. i give props to the dudes doing that at home, but the design looks like a saburu gone wrong! lol!

lkailburn

04-08-2004, 11:40 PM

hey guys, i finished glassing my civic rear lip.. after much hair pulling and changing of techniques i finally got it fabricated.. now all i'm left to do is bondo it up to make it all smooth...hahah i say that like its gonna be easy... its gonna be the HARDEST part.. making the entire thing exactly the same curve, levelness etc...ahhhh... but i will post pictures when i'm all done with it ok. i've got some in between pics too so you can see how i fabbed it up.. for everyone else trying to build your own whatever..just keep at it cuz if it turns out bad.. atleast you gained a fu#& load of experience with fiberglass

eckoman_pdx

04-11-2004, 05:17 AM

chris26969

04-11-2004, 09:00 AM

Deadboy

04-11-2004, 01:43 PM

hey long time no see .LOL this thread isent dead yet?..... good to hear that:D i see a lot of u have been busy .As for me well it going but still havent finished it completly:(... but now i think things will go faster cas my father wants my car out of the garage at the end of the summer and i think i found a welder who will weld japanes cars:) ( 5 others said that the metal on japanes cars is to thin and would not do it) but now i found 1 who will do it:D....and it will cost about 100$ bouth sides and Ill get the paint on for only 10$ if i bring my own paint and prime the car myself.....but that to come. At the moment im working the molding to hte body and the bumber smoothing .. damn hate this jobe the glue and fibers are ichi...but here some pics (some are a week old and some are older)

www.zone.ee/Deadhitman6 and then new pics

lkailburn

04-11-2004, 03:48 PM

Bondo sucks and is prone to cracking, try something else, the bond will go to hell in the long run... I don't know if it will work for your app, but duraglass is pretty decent for a lot of things.

umm i'm not using bondo to mold it onto the car.. i'm just using it to even out the surface of the lip. i'm pretty sure it wont crack from just that.

also, please tell me what kind of projects you have done using bondo or duraglass and when the products have failed..aka back up your advice

eckoman_pdx

04-11-2004, 05:05 PM

Put up a few pictures of what you have done so far.

Someone tried to mold my fenders with Bondo before I new anything about what I was doing. It cracked with-in days. Bondo can only be applied in light coats, and is can't get wet before it's painted. If you put bondo on too thick, it cracks, ask any bodyman, ask Kicker1_solo. Anyways, I'm not making my own kit, but I can tell you right now from expereince and knowledge, bondo is not the product I would reccomend.

Look, lkailburn, if you don't wanna listen to me, that's your bussiness. Why do I need to back it up. You know I know my interior stuff, but maybe you doubt me on exterior. Thats's fine, go ask Kicker1_solo, he knows his exterior and has may pics of his work...he'll tell you Bondo sucks. If you want to listen, it's your car, not mine...don't listen. Some jerk hit my car last night and sracthed the crap out of my rim and my fender, 2 days after I put the whole thing toghter after months of woking on it. I had it completely apart, fenders bumper, doors completly off it. I removed rust, self-etch primed, high build primed, sanded, painted the frame, the decah VDC, etc. I can try to get a pic of my old fender, but several years ago before I knew anything, a bodyshop tired to smooth the Z3 pockets with Bondo without telling me, it cracked really badly, got so bad I just replaced it. I didn't ask them to ruin my fender like that, but they did. Go call up any paint supply store, ask then counter person, they'l tell you. Look man, do what you wanna do, you got pissy with me a year ago when I gave you interior advice, remember? Then it turned out I knew what I was saying. Bondo sucks, it's commen knowledge. Don't belive me? Fine, post a thread asking about it, ask Silverbolt, Kicker, anyone who knows anything. I'm not trying to be an ass, but I don't want you messing up your nice ride. It costs a heck of a lot of money to fix it after the fact. You've put all this money into it to make it right, don't take the easy way out and use bondo. I was only trying to give you advice about Bondo, if you don't belive me, then so be it. It's your ride, not mine, but I don't like seeing people mess things up.

I am not trying to be an ass to any of you, but dang man...bondo's just not a great product. If you use it, just keep it as a VERY THIN LAYER!!!! Duraglass is what you use to french door handles, etc...you stuff the hole, smooth it out and paint it. Ask Kicker1_Solo, he has more pics of shit than I do. Also, if you might think I am full of it, but I know you'll listen to him.

I don't have a digi cam, but I'll go out and see If I can borrow someones. I think I have the fenders the tried to mold/french the pocket and use it to "smooth it out." Temperture changes will crack it, it expands differently than the glass, plastic, etc does. If I can find a cam, I'll snap the pics of the old fenders. Not sure if I can borrow someones though.

lkailburn, look, if you don't beilve me and want tog et an attuitde like witht he interior stuff...It happened with the interior thing with you, the re-wrapping, awhile ago, remember? Just do us a favor, Call up a paint and body supply shop with knowledge of fiberglass. Bondo is considered a cheap and easy fix. Go to a paint supply store locally, tell them what you can doing, the mateiral used and have them recommend a product. If you can't find a paint store and have long distance, call Quality paint products 503-655-2531. I beleive they have an 800 number too, 1-800-930-2531. Anyways, look, just look into it before you do it, check around, I've leave the hard way, Bondo is a cheap hack job fix. My buddies dad used to sell used cars, just used bondo to patch them up and make em look decent temporarly. All I am trying to say was watch out, Bondo may crack, it tneder to do that, as you can't lay it on that thick at all. Look into it before you do it, you don't wanna mess up your lip in the long run. You spent all this time, do you really want to?

lkailburn

04-11-2004, 05:45 PM

eckoman_pdx

04-11-2004, 06:02 PM

:eek2: :eek2:
i'm the banana---> :bananadie

hey man i'm really really sorry to hear about your ride. i can't even imagine what i would do if someone hit my car.. my baby.. i can't even sympathize with you cuz i just can't even imagine how fuc@#$ing pissed i would be..

but please please let me explain.. i wasn't in the least bit trying to get pissy or anything. i had ZERO intention of blowing off your advice. believe me, i know that you know your shit.. you helped me out LOADS when it came to my questions about interior, and i have no doubt in my mind that you knowledge extends to most aspects of a car.

i guess in the past i was under the impression that bondo only cracks when its used over seams and stuff..aka when molding something on. i personally have not had the time to use it. i did recently buy a gallon container of it to use to smooth out my fabricated lip.
all i was trying to say, was to go into more detail about duraglass; and your personal experiences with it. i've heard only a little bit about it; but really my knowledge on duraglass extends to the fact that its bondo and fiberglass mixed together..basically.

please please accept my apology, i didn't in any way intend to sound like an arrogant asshole. i hope you know this.

good luck with sorting out that terrible accident man. i really hope you get it all covered :frown:

srry man,

Luke

Hey man, it's all good. I understnad..I've just had a lot of people get pissy with me as of late...and now this...I don't know...My wheels are discountuiend, so how are they supposed to replace it? I'm just so stressed...and then he tells me...get this..."It's only a civic." I was like,. WFT????....sigh....anywasy, yes...DO NOT USE OT OVER CRACKS...you duraglass for frenching. Bondo won't crack as much smoothing stuff out, but I've seen it happen. If you already bought it...hmm...tell you what...send kicke1_solo an private message, pick his brains a bit. Tell you what, I'll call up my buddy David, he knows this stuff real well. I'll check with him to see what he thinks of bondo for that, what he'd use. I wouldn't use bondo, I don't think he would. He does have a lot more expiernce that I do, you he'll know a good product to use and how to go about it. He's been a lot of help to me in the past, so I'll see what he thinks of this. I'll see what he would use to smooth it out. So you finished the lip, etc...you just need to smooth the surface before you piant it and install it, right? I know theres a putty that is used to fill the pinholes in fiberglass kits, can't think of the name. I can't call David today, but I'll call him monday or tuesday and see what I can find out. Sorry I misunderstood you, I'm just so stressed out now, I'm suprised I can even think, lol. I mean, 2 days after I finished it, I had it parked all winter to keep her safe from rock chips...then this..sigh. Hey, if you know anyone with 1 Racing Hart CP-10 17" wheel in bronze, let me know. It's a 4 x 100 bolt pattern I believe. I forget the offset off the top of my head. Anyways, just keep your eyes and ears peeled for that, as I don't want a new set of wheels, I happen to like mine, lol.

On a happier note, tell me how the interior came out?

lkailburn

04-11-2004, 07:07 PM

Hey man, it's all good. I understnad..I've just had a lot of people get pissy with me as of late...and now this...I don't know...My wheels are discountuiend, so how are they supposed to replace it? I'm just so stressed...and then he tells me...get this..."It's only a civic." I was like,. WFT????....sigh....anywasy, yes...DO NOT USE OT OVER CRACKS...you duraglass for frenching. Bondo won't crack as much smoothing stuff out, but I've seen it happen. If you already bought it...hmm...tell you what...send kicke1_solo an private message, pick his brains a bit. Tell you what, I'll call up my buddy David, he knows this stuff real well. I'll check with him to see what he thinks of bondo for that, what he'd use. I wouldn't use bondo, I don't think he would. He does have a lot more expiernce that I do, you he'll know a good product to use and how to go about it. He's been a lot of help to me in the past, so I'll see what he thinks of this. I'll see what he would use to smooth it out. So you finished the lip, etc...you just need to smooth the surface before you piant it and install it, right? I know theres a putty that is used to fill the pinholes in fiberglass kits, can't think of the name. I can't call David today, but I'll call him monday or tuesday and see what I can find out. Sorry I misunderstood you, I'm just so stressed out now, I'm suprised I can even think, lol. I mean, 2 days after I finished it, I had it parked all winter to keep her safe from rock chips...then this..sigh. Hey, if you know anyone with 1 Racing Hart CP-10 17" wheel in bronze, let me know. It's a 4 x 100 bolt pattern I believe. I forget the offset off the top of my head. Anyways, just keep your eyes and ears peeled for that, as I don't want a new set of wheels, I happen to like mine, lol.

On a happier note, tell me how the interior came out?

yah man i know your stressed from what happened. its all good i'm sure you needed to vent :evillol:
haha
but yah, that glazing putty you mentioned... yah i'm not even close to that stage yet for the lip.. i hand fabricated this from scratch.. and my fiberglass came out kinda rough in some places.. so thats why i need (something) like bondo to smooth it all out. shit i may even need to glass over some whole areas to raise them up level with the others. but maybe i could use fiberglass resin jelly for this, or that duraglass. shoot your friend a message and see what he thinks.
i will deffinitly keep my eyes peeled for a wheel for ya. although that one RH might be hard to come by

as for the interior.. well i haven't gotten to it yet. i've been so busy with school and work that i said i'd put it on hold until the 1st day of summer.. 5 more full weeks :naughty:
in the mean time i've been working in misc projects, including a taillight mod, a city light kit, my system install. the most recent was throwing on my rims which i think look very nice :sunglasse

pics should be on this page. at the bottome

http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/myciv.html

eckoman_pdx

04-13-2004, 12:11 AM

yah man i know your stressed from what happened. its all good i'm sure you needed to vent :evillol:
haha
but yah, that glazing putty you mentioned... yah i'm not even close to that stage yet for the lip.. i hand fabricated this from scratch.. and my fiberglass came out kinda rough in some places.. so thats why i need (something) like bondo to smooth it all out. shit i may even need to glass over some whole areas to raise them up level with the others. but maybe i could use fiberglass resin jelly for this, or that duraglass. shoot your friend a message and see what he thinks.
i will deffinitly keep my eyes peeled for a wheel for ya. although that one RH might be hard to come by

as for the interior.. well i haven't gotten to it yet. i've been so busy with school and work that i said i'd put it on hold until the 1st day of summer.. 5 more full weeks :naughty:
in the mean time i've been working in misc projects, including a taillight mod, a city light kit, my system install. the most recent was throwing on my rims which i think look very nice :sunglasse

pics should be on this page. at the bottome

http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/myciv.html

I think I needed to vent too, lol. Venting can be helpful after such unfortuniate things occur. I think your car looks much improved with the rims. I'm not a fan of silver usually, but silver on silver works, lol. Looks good bud. Yea, I know one RH might be hard to come by, heck...a whole seat will be hard to come by, if you find more than one ever, let me know...So what is this taillight mod you speak of? I just got a seat of teg front seats from my buddy, so I hope to re-wrap those soon, among other things, when I have time...ahhh...anyways the key isn't it? Hey, how'd the sand-blasting of the design come out on the plexiglass? Did the vinyl idea help out with that? Anyways, before you thought about bondo or something to basically hide the rough spots, did you try sanding the fiberglass down smooth at all to help elimate the rough spots and smooth the high spots, help level it?I'd think that would be a little bit better than bondo or resin jelly is you havn't dne it yet. I'm pretty sure sanding is part of the smoothing out eqaution if you havn't done it yet. I'll try and get ahold of david and see what he says about all this. Anyways, props for trying to fabricate your own lip. Don't think I was knocking you for trying, lol :)

lkailburn

04-13-2004, 03:12 PM

ok lets see here. for info on my tail light mod you can check out this post:
http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/showthread.php?t=126225

if you can't view that. the pics for it are here:
http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/newTails.html

ahhh the sand-blasting of the plexiglass...yet another one of those in the process projects hahahah.. along with about 100 other projects. well i have to scrape the whole lighting of the plexiglass project.. unfortunatly when i first made the mdf enclosure for the amp.. i did not make the 'walls' tall enough to allow for a cold cathode tube underneath the amp.. however i can't get over how much i like the effect of that.. so my amp is mounted on 1/4"-1/2"(can't remember which one it is) stands in the box and a mounted a blue cold cathode underneath the amp.. the cc is ready to be hooked up.. i just need to figure out how. lol.

next topic; the rear lip:
yes i did take an electric sander to the fiberglass it self but did not have much success. i was using 150 grit paper and i know i should find some 80 grit or something.. but at the rate that the 150 was ripping up, i figured the 80 wouldn't do much better.. but i did go over the entire thing with the 150 for a while, like you said to try to smooth out some of the unevenness.. but thats why i figured i needed bondo because of its ability to be sanded easily. i have not yet done anymore work on the lip.. i'll wait till you get ahold of your friend because your right: i have spent a lot of time on this and i don't feel like cutting corners on the home stretch of the project.

i've got less then 5 weeks of classes now.. so i'm counting down the days hahha.. as soon as classes are done, i'm pulling off the door panels and keeping them off until i get 4-5 projects done. i hate having to put them back on so i'm gonne combine all these little projects into one super project haha.. they are:painting the lower half of the door oem light grey. wrapping the door armrest with charcoal vinyl that matches the top portion of the door. painting and installing my spooon mirrors, and painting my exterior door handles and side moulding strip... the next project will be to take off my fenders so that i can paint the little peice of side moulding on that.. and also install my side markers. the list just keeps going hahaha but thats what i live for.. DIY projects :) yay

Silverbolt

04-15-2004, 08:51 AM

sup guys, check out my latest DIY for my 97 civic.. red/silver tails--i hope you enjoy. thanks go out to Silverbo1t for help with this.

http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/newTails.html

-Luke

:D

LOL, it seems like you're a member to every Honda related forum!

lkailburn

04-15-2004, 11:02 AM

:D

LOL, it seems like you're a member to every Honda related forum!

i'm a honda forum whore haha.. name all that you can and i'll tell you if i'm a member or not :iceslolan

eckoman_pdx

04-16-2004, 10:26 PM

Okay lkailburn, I talked to David. Sand it smooth with 80 grit sandpaper. You don't want to sand the crap out of it, go lightly and not hard if you can. You are trying to knock down the high spots and level it out. Remember, sanding can be time consuming, so have patience. Then, you can go over it with 180 grit to smooth it back out. If you still want it smoother after you've down this, you have 2 options. 1, fiberglass resin. Put some of that on there, and then sand it smooth to achive a smoother finish if one is desired. The 2nd option is a gel coat. There's a product called "Monster Gel" or something simlair. It's a gel coat for fiberglass used for boats. Put on the "gel coat" and again, lightly sand it to smooth it out. I think the gel coat between those 2 sounds better, but either should work. Remember, after you sand the fiberglass smooth (this is a neccasry step in fiberglassing, 80 grit to knock down the high spots, 180 to help smooth it back out after you've finished with the 80), use one of those products if a smoother surface is desired, don't use bondo. I hope this helps you a bit, sorry it took awhile to get back to you, but as yu know I've been busy trying to take care of things.

lkailburn

04-17-2004, 02:27 AM

eckoman_pdx

04-19-2004, 02:35 PM

thanks for getting back to me man. i think what i'll do is sit with it for a while with 80 and 150 grit paper. i really didn't take that much time with it before.. but it just seemed to be eating through the sand paper very quickly.

oh yeah so how are things going man? have you gotten most of it sorted out yet or what? keep me updated

Well, it goes into the Body shop this week, and I'll get it back at the end of the week. I hope all goes well there...I have never had a body shop once get my car right on the first fix, it's usually my paint they screw up. This shop though learned the Hard way I am anal about my car and I notice stuff...they realize I'm not a push-over, so I think they won't screw the paint up this time. They pretty much want to fix it right and never see me again, lol. Hopefully it works out. If it doesn't, at least I already have delt with them before. It's frusterating. As for the wheel, I talked to a couple of places that claim they can "fix the mark" it looks lile a small curb makr...just nasty. However, it doesn't feel right, one guy is blending the paint WAY TOO FAR out, which tells me he is going to try and hide the fact the color won't match, so screw that. The other guy, I don't know. He seems like he could match it better, and he blending technique is much more the way it should be. However, I called up DAZZ Motorsports (the US Importer of Racing Hart) and talked to some people there. They told me they don't recommned having anyone try it, but if I do, the 2nd guy seems to know what he's doing more from the sounds of it all. They don't make these wheels anymore either, both the bronze they used for the wheel as well as the actual CP-10 wheel are discontuined, so they had no money to make off me by telling me that. I don't know if I'll try and have the wheel fixed...They are discontuined and hard as hell to find. A bad blend and the wrong color is almost worse...I'm not sure what will happen with the wheel, I have a bad ut feeling about trying to have it fixed...and my gut is usaully right when the feeling is that strong. It could take awhile to sort the wheel part out...sigh...Hopefully the body part gets done right, then I just have to figure out the wheel part.

lkailburn

04-19-2004, 07:48 PM

eckoman_pdx

04-20-2004, 10:18 PM

yah. well shit i hope you get it done right. i know waht you mean about having a shop do things. i had custom pipes done recently(1 week ago actually) and i think they cut some corners thinking i wouldn't notice.. but i did and i talked to them about it. atleast i have a life time warrenty on parts and labor.. so i'm not worried about it.

um i think i saw someone selling a set of white cp-10's.. but like you said, you can't find the bronze paint anywhere.. so they probably wouldn't be of any use to ya.

talk to ya later

Yea, white won't work...if you notice a set of bronze cp-10's, let me know. I am so sick of people not thinking you'll notice cut corners...that's how I learned to do stuff, I said screw it and learned how to do stuff myself. I got sick of cut corners and crap.

lkailburn

04-20-2004, 10:58 PM

will do my friend

ok cmon people lets here some updates on your DIY kit projects. pics too!!

mine's currently on hold so i can get some other projects done first. ie suspension and wrapping the interior. luckily i've got a mugen front lip and a type r rear lip in the mail so i can slap those on and look good till i can finish up the one i'm working on. i suppose if it doesn't come out right i will scrap it, make a mold of the one i bought, and go from there. we'll see what happens tho.

HondaOz

04-20-2004, 11:09 PM

Does anybody know how I can customize my 88 acura legend? I'm trying to figure out what performance parts I can add to it or any ways I could change the interior. I'm trying to take the leather seats of the back and add new ones, and also put racing seats, but I don't think they have mounts for this model. also I'm trying to figure how I can put a better looking bodykit, cause they have very, very, very few for a model that old

PLEASE HEEEEEEELP!!!!

eckoman_pdx

04-20-2004, 11:30 PM

dubt

04-21-2004, 03:54 PM

foam is not gunna last long. i give props to the dudes doing that at home, but the design looks like a saburu gone wrong! lol!

well I made the skeleton with cardboard and fiberglassed it and mounted it. its pretty sturdy but before i can paint i need to know what would be best to smooth it out and get an even surface

lkailburn

04-21-2004, 06:18 PM

lkailburn, that reminds me. Speaking of projects, I ordered some Novasuede today (costed a buttload, and I got the wholesale price...I'd hate to think retail price) Next week (the car should be out of the body shop friday, barring they don't mess it up somehow...let's hope...) I will be re-wrapping some teg seats I got from my buddy with it. I'll try and take some before and after pics of it if I can.

yah i gave up on the synthetic suede material.. its too costly.. i'm a damn poor college kid haha.. so i'm gonna go with marine grade vinyl.. compared to the cheap stuff its sooo soft and the guy said its uv protected and stain resistant. i've got a good portion of the material already. i found the exact color on a clearance table cuz it was cut before but never used. and its a huge peice too so i got a great price on that.. but i need charcoal colored vinyl(to match my oem charcoal panels).

i seriously must have checked my door like 20 times today..waiting for my lips to come in.. ahhh i can't wait :naughty:

eckoman_pdx

04-24-2004, 03:04 AM

yah i gave up on the synthetic suede material.. its too costly.. i'm a damn poor college kid haha.. so i'm gonna go with marine grade vinyl.. compared to the cheap stuff its sooo soft and the guy said its uv protected and stain resistant. i've got a good portion of the material already. i found the exact color on a clearance table cuz it was cut before but never used. and its a huge peice too so i got a great price on that.. but i need charcoal colored vinyl(to match my oem charcoal panels).

i seriously must have checked my door like 20 times today..waiting for my lips to come in.. ahhh i can't wait

Yea, Novasuede and Ultrasuede have spendy prices compared to other materials (leather excluded). I'm a poor college kid too, I know how you feel....but I love the stuff, lol...I suppose I can get it at wholesale, which still seems like it costs alot, but I know the retail prices (crazy high); the wholesale is so much cheaper than the retail...some of it is upwards of 50% cheaper. That makes it much more affordable...plus it gives a better color selection since you are ordering it wholesale, so it's not just the "in stock colors." I've found most of the wholesalers in the area, so that helps out too. Some sell certain products, brands and materials others don't. For example, only one whoelsaler in the area sells Ultrasuede, and only one (a different one) sells Novasuede. It was a butt trying to find who sold what, but know that I I started to figure things out, it's a little easier to find stuff. I got the Novasuede in today...the colors look great and the material will look very nice on the seats...I can't wait to get to work on it.

well I made the skeleton with cardboard and fiberglassed it and mounted it. its pretty sturdy but before i can paint i need to know what would be best to smooth it out and get an even surface

Sand it smooth with 80 grit sandpaper. You don't want to sand the crap out of it, go lightly and not hard if you can. You are trying to knock down the high spots and level it out. Remember, sanding can be time consuming, so have patience. Then, you can go over it with 180 grit to smooth it back out. If you still want it smoother after you've down this, you have 2 options. 1, fiberglass resin. Put some of that on there, and then sand it smooth to achive a smoother finish if one is desired. The 2nd option is a gel coat. There's a product called "Monster Gel" or something simlair. It's a gel coat for fiberglass used for boats. Put on the "gel coat" and again, lightly sand it to smooth it out. I think the gel coat between those 2 sounds better, but either should work. Remember, after you sand the fiberglass smooth (this is a neccasry step in fiberglassing, 80 grit to knock down the high spots, 180 to help smooth it back out after you've finished with the 80), use one of those products if a smoother surface is desired, don't use bondo.

Deadboy

05-19-2004, 01:38 PM

GTR...GTR...GTR

05-19-2004, 03:46 PM

Deadboy

05-19-2004, 03:55 PM

Dude, wouldn't it have been quicker to save money and buy a bodykit rather than build it yourself? I've been following this thread for sometime now and you've been working on that kit for a VERY long time now.

I go to school i work 3 months in the summer time and i get about 9000kr thats 750$ about a littel less ...... and a bodykit kost about 15000 kr to 20000kr here it would take 2 summer the same time i have been building it .....and i would have finisht faster if i had time ....but schools a b%#h and the winter was to cold to work with the glue.....but the final exams at school are here and then ill have more time to finish so im thinking i will be ready in july or augst....the body i mean. The engine is what i have been saveing money for :naughty:

p.s i like to build .....if finish il be the only one with that kind of kit :) makes me feel all warm inside :p :evillol:

HondaOz

05-19-2004, 04:59 PM

lol

RSLaser

05-20-2004, 09:45 AM

I have a couple questions.

First of all, how do you attach the pieces, once its finished, to your car?
Between layers of fiberglass do you have to use glue or will it just bond to the other layers without the glue? I have been reading up oon this idea for some time. I have Lots of liquid foam( you add a chem to it and it expands, when i helped a friend make a mold for a KITCAR. But he left before he got to make the molds. HELP!

thx Matt

RSLaser

05-20-2004, 11:02 PM

Also, Deadman, when you finished the foam and you went to fiber glass, did you just put your 7 or more layers on the outside or did you put like 2 to make a mold? If you made a mold what release agent did you use?

thx Matt

dubt

05-26-2004, 10:02 PM

Well I'm nearing completion and I would like to thank all you who gave me hints and tips for fiberglass. my very first fiberglass project.

not bad for an amatuer?

well i cant put the pic here but please search by username in gallery for "dubt" and check out the pics!

GTR...GTR...GTR

05-26-2004, 11:20 PM

:screwy: you made a body for a fricken Metro? Umm... ok. Good 4 U

RSLaser

05-27-2004, 03:53 PM

Did you take pics of the buildup?

VinnizCivic

06-04-2004, 05:10 AM

lkailburn

06-04-2004, 09:26 AM

by putty he prolly means bondo. too much bondo will crack tho. if you want someone to talk to about bondo, get ahold of eckoman he's very knowledgable.

sand the fiberglass as smooth as you can get it before going to the bondo. after bondo, using a "glazing putty" to fill in the fine holes

eckoman_pdx

06-04-2004, 09:49 PM

on that website... where the guy made his own... in step 5 he says after the fiberglass is dry.. put putty on it... putty? what putty.. help me out.. triing to use my creativity to make a sweet as kit for my 95 civic ex.. help me out

Well, the putty he is refering to could be glazing putty. This is used to fill in and smooth out the fine "pinholes" which can form. As for the part about smoothing out the glass once it's dried...

Sand it smooth with 80 grit sandpaper. You don't want to sand the crap out of it, go lightly and not hard if you can. You are trying to knock down the high spots and level it out. Remember, sanding can be time consuming, so have patience. Then, you can go over it with 180 grit to smooth it back out. If you still want it smoother after you've down this, you have 2 options. 1) fiberglass resin. Put some of that on there, and then sand it smooth to achive a smoother finish if one is desired. The 2nd option is a gel coat. There's a product called "Monster Gel" or something simlair. It's a gel coat for fiberglass used for boats. Put on the "gel coat" and again, lightly sand it to smooth it out. Remember, after you sand the fiberglass smooth (this is a neccasry step in fiberglassing, 80 grit to knock down the high spots, 180 to help smooth it back out after you've finished with the 80), use one of those products if a smoother surface is desired, don't use bondo. Bondo cracks very easily if put on too thick. You can't put it on very thick at all. Also, do not get it wet at all...period. Remember though, no matter what you use, you don't need it thick, you are just trying to flatten out and smooth the surface, so you don't need to put it on thick. When it comes to bondo, think of it this way...how many of the good, qaulity respected companies that make hand-laid fiberglass body kits use bondo to smooth the bumper out...there's a reason it's not the product of choice.

lkailburn

06-04-2004, 10:17 PM

eckoman_pdx

06-04-2004, 10:43 PM

^^ one thing tho.. assuming that they didn't lay down the fg very smooth..they'd prolly need to stick with the 80 grit a while to really get it even. i know that even i still lay some uneven fg and i'veworked with the stuff for a while now

also-- eckoman(james right?) you should be glad to know that i'm finally starting on my interior work!(diy wrapping seats, rests, painting panels etc) hahah its about freakin time. i'll take some in progress pics for ya.
i've got it all stripped out right now. i just need to finish clear coating my side mouldings and those front and rear lips i got(which i'll finish tonight). then i can really get crackin on the interior project.

Luke

Yup, you got my name right, lol. I'm glad tp see your finally starting on the interior project...keep me posted on how it goes and post pis when you have some of the project....so have you installed the lips and side moldings yet? Post a pic...I know you've been waiting for those lips to come for awhile now.

lkailburn

06-05-2004, 04:59 PM

^^ base paint is all done on the front lip. rear lip has 2 coats of clear.. then it ran on me. i need to switch to a new clear coat tho. what i have sucks ass it comes out soo uneven it takes me soo long to wet sand it smooth that i ended up eating into the paint! talk about crappy quality.

i'll get pics up when the lips and mouldings are done, and then i'll have in-progress pics of the interior up in a week or so

Luke

eckoman_pdx

06-06-2004, 04:03 AM

lkailburn

06-06-2004, 04:49 PM

nah i will just diy.. i just need to buy a better quality clear.

i'll get pics up as soon as its all done :)

eckoman_pdx

06-07-2004, 03:05 AM

nah i will just diy.. i just need to buy a better quality clear.

i'll get pics up as soon as its all done :)

What brand of clear did you use and what are you planning to use instead?

Well, keep me posted on how everything turns out.

lkailburn

06-07-2004, 09:11 AM

it was just a cheap brand sold at a local place.

i got some new clear coat and it deffinitly turned out much more even. i finished up the front lip last night. just need to wait a week before using any rubbing compound on it.

the side mouldings are done but need to be sanded and then rubbed out. they were a little more uneven than the front lip because the front lip was just the new brand of clear coat, where as the side mouldings has 2 layers of the bad qual clear coat on them. i did wetsand those 2 layers down a bit with 1k grit but i didn't want to chew into the paint so..

the rear lip i am going to sand down completely and start over. i had a bad clear coat run and also somehow i missed a small strip with paint...all 4-5 times i coated the lip!!! soo yah idk what that was about but i'm just gonna sand it all down and start over.

in your opinion, should i sand all the way throught the paint and into the primer, and re primer it, or sand through all the clear and half way through the paint and just start with a few more layers of paint and then clear?

thanks

Luke

eckoman_pdx

06-07-2004, 04:10 PM

Well, I doubt you'd need to sand all the way through to the primer. I mean, they don't sand all the way to primer every time they paint a car. If I had the time though, I'd probabaly sand all the way to primer just because I am like that. I always try and sand all the way down when I am painting, but that's me. That's how I would do it. It also gives a more even surface, if you know what I mean. You have a partially painted area and a part not hit, so it's going to be a little un-even. Also, too many cost of paint is a bad thing, though you probably don't have enough costs on there to make a difference that way. If you sand partway though the paint and prep it all for painting right, re-paint and clear...it should come out okay. I would do some costs of high build prime and sand it down smooth to make sure the surface is even (a guide coat can help when sanding). You can follow with primer sealer if you want, though it's not excactly necassary if you are paint soon after the high build primer, like within a day.

lkailburn

06-07-2004, 09:48 PM

^^ allrighty. thanks. oh and here's pics of the front lip installed.

http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/media/myciv/DSC02178.JPG
http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/media/myciv/DSC02179.JPG

looks lighter in the pics than it does in real life

Beastiek2

06-08-2004, 05:39 PM

what do you use to off set the plate like that ?

lkailburn

06-08-2004, 07:35 PM

^^ i had a "Y" bracket that was holding the plate in the middle. i just unbolted it, and bolted it on the side where the foglights would mount. then bent the bars till i was satisfied. its not exactly what i wanted.. i think i might buy/make the cusco style plate relocator. there are lots of pics of that over in the ek section on www.jdmcivic.com

just slapped on the side mouldings today and got a pic.

http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/media/myciv/DSC02195.jpg

Beastiek2

06-08-2004, 07:44 PM

aight cool deal i just went out side and took mine off and those fuckers at honda drilled the plate housing right into my front bumber i mean come on now!!!

lkailburn

06-08-2004, 07:45 PM

yah, previous owner OWNED my front bumper liscence plate holes. i wanna go to the dealership and get the plugs to try and hide them

eckoman_pdx

06-09-2004, 12:04 PM

Ikailburn, I know exactly what peice you are refering to that you used to relocate it. Yeah, it sucks how honda drills into the front bumper for part of the plate support and mounting too. Looks nice though offset, other than those darn holes. Maybe you could bolt something like a neuspeed plate bar (it's a bar over the top holes versus a frame) over the holes just to cover them up in the meantime.

lkailburn

06-09-2004, 01:32 PM

^^ yah i thought about the neuspeed plate bar. but honda makes these plug things that are pre-painted and everything the plug those holes. i need to take a trip down to my local honda dealer and ask if they have them

RSLaser

06-10-2004, 10:23 AM

Hey , what did you use as a release agent on the mold?

lkailburn

06-10-2004, 10:47 AM

^^ who r ya talkin to?

RSLaser

06-10-2004, 09:17 PM

^^ who r ya talkin to?

Anyone that has built a kit

GTR...GTR...GTR

06-10-2004, 10:10 PM

crisco. j/k I've never built one because I get body kits for really cheap.

lkailburn

06-10-2004, 10:20 PM

well they sell a pva mold release(pretty sure thats what its called).. but whenever i glass over something that i don't want to be stuck together.. i just mask it off using masking tape and aluminum foil

RSLaser

06-10-2004, 11:48 PM

Posted by lkailburn - 06-10-2004 at 09:20 PM
well they sell a pva mold release(pretty sure thats what its called).. but whenever i glass over something that i don't want to be stuck together.. i just mask it off using masking tape and aluminum foil

SO aftter you have foiled over the foam and fiberglassed it to make the mold you put more foil on to make the final product?

lkailburn

06-11-2004, 09:18 AM

noo.. when your making your kit..and you do it out of foam.. and you want to remove the foam after you glass..

i would do it like this:

build up the foam to as close as how you want it as you can get. wrap the whole thing with masking tape and aluminum foil. do 2 layers(so either 2 layers of tape, or 1 tape and 1 foil) glass the front. when the glass is 100% cured(wait 24 hrs just to be sure cuz warping sux ass trust me) then pull of the glass. then proceed to add your extra layers to the back side of that. be sure that the peice is not flexed when laying the glass. you want it to be sitting in its correct shape.

my biggest tip for anyone doing a kit: use the woven cloth fiberglass. don't use the chop mat!

if you want reasons why i'll post, but take my word for it

RSLaser

06-11-2004, 07:45 PM

Hold up... i dont think your understanding my original question:
Posted by RSLaser - 06-10-2004 at 09:23 AM
Hey , what did you use as a release agent on the mold?

I meant AFTER you have the mold and yor making the final part, what did you use as a release, ive heard of PVA, but ive heard others use wax?

lkailburn

06-11-2004, 08:08 PM

i'm not too familiar with the mold release products.. i haven't used em personally sorry i can't help ne-more

RSLaser

06-15-2004, 10:28 AM

My kit is starting to come together finally, looks pretty rough, ill try to get some pics up soon.

lkailburn

06-15-2004, 02:17 PM

pics pics pics :)

eckoman_pdx

06-15-2004, 07:43 PM

lkailburn, if you ever get those plate hole plugs from honda, post up the actaul part name and part number in case anyone wants the same. Some honda dealerships hacve a hard time finding things like that, so if you get a part name and number I am sure it wold make it easier for others...anyways, how's the interior coming?

Now that finals are over and schools out, I should be able to go back to the interior shop and do a little more, watch more, learn more, etc. My seats have been sittin there waiting for me to go back and work for a month while I finished up the term, etc. I just havn't been able to go there. It'll be nice to get back there.

lkailburn

06-15-2004, 10:14 PM

^^ the plugs are part #26:
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Civic&catcgry2=1997&catcgry3=2DR+DX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=BUMPER

they are threaded so you'll need a nut if yours doesn't have the threaded peice glued to the back of the bumper(mine doesn't).

i've been trying to get some time to work on the interior.. but i have to replace my damn sunroof(long story). its 750(including tax, install the works) for a brand new one.. and insurance will only cover the cost of the glass... so i need to get that done. then i'll be more up to working on the projects. i still need to get my shocks and coils in.. i've been waiting because i had to take the car down to the shop every so often and i have to move it into our tiny garage each night(lack of sunroof leaves a rather large hole in the top of your car :p)

feels like this stuff is draggin on forever!! but hopefully this week i can get my ass down to the store, pick up some sand paper(i actually ran out! i was surprised). i'll sand the peices up.. then i still need to find a place that can match the oem light grey color found on my pillar bars and such....

i'll stop blabbin on and on about my car and projects ..haha

its good to hear your going to be able to get back to that shop and learn some more. be sure to share any tips you find about diy wrappin the seats.

lastly: here's my interior, as it sits presently:
http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/media/interior/DSC02187.JPG
http://www.rit.edu/~ltk6260/media/interior/DSC02188.JPG

RSLaser

06-16-2004, 10:12 AM

Well sorry about the pics, but the cameras not workin...

lkailburn are you paintin all the pieces that arent in there or are you missing them?

lkailburn

06-16-2004, 02:29 PM

^^ yep i'm painting them.. and rewrapping the armrests with vinyl..

i need to find someone who can match the light grey color of my pilar bars. thats the color i will be painting them with.

RSLaser

06-16-2004, 04:18 PM

sweet post some pics when its done.

eckoman_pdx

06-16-2004, 05:48 PM

Okay, first off, lkailburn, will you or your grnadma be sewing the seat covers? If you are doing it and don't sew much, I recommned getting a lot of practice before starting on the seats. Secondly, remember to tack seam allowences into account when tracing the patterns. You can either trace it with the stock seam allowence on the pattern, or you can trace the part that shows and then add the extra outline for the seam allowence. I do it the first way myself, I've seen my boss and my mother do the second way). Also, when you sew the seat cover, make sure to allow the proper seam width, otherwise it will be too loose (or too tight). Also, some seat parts have a foam backing, so you'll need toget 1/4 foam for a seat to use and glue the pattern to the foam backing for those peices. 1/4" headliner material will work too. Try and glue just the outside parts, you don't need to glue the whole darn thing like crazy...you want enough to hold it in place so it don't slip before you sew, thats all. Also, when taking the cover to the bars in the seat). You'll need some new hog rings and hog ring pliers to reattatch the new rings to the seat. You can re-use the metal bars that go through the middle of the seat cusion that hog ring to the metal bars in the seat foam, though you'll probably want to get a new strip to put the bvar through. It basically is glued down to the backside of the butt coushin and sew down the middle (thats the straight line through the middle of the butt peice you see when the covers on). Sorry I don't have any good pics and sorry I don't make more sense, I forgot some of the names of the materials, and I already have that part of the coushin hog-rings to the seat for the time being (I gotta redo a peice of it though).

As far as the sunroof...I am guessing whatever happened wasn't good, lol...I am sorry to hear about your unfortunate circumstance.

lkailburn

06-17-2004, 08:50 AM

eckoman_pdx

06-19-2004, 05:50 PM

eckoman--no prob, you make perfect sense cuz i've already removed the rear seats, and pulled the fabric off. i've also already unstitched the front seat cloth(i purchased a set of front seat cloth from a bud online so i don't have to unstitch mine)

thanks for the tip about only using the glue around the outside for the foam backing. with the hog rings, why can't i reuse the ones that were there? just curious. as for the bars that run through the middle of the seat, those were not glued to the seat foam, they were fished through a mesh "pocket" that was sewn to the seat cloth.

as for sewing the new peices: i will be doing the sewing.. i've never sewn anything before but my aunt's are like expert sewers.. my grandmother was aswell.. but sadly she passed away. i've discussed with my aunts the best way to sew them together, they recommened using the longest stitch possible(said something like there is a foot peddle specifically for leather/vinyl applications). the long stitch spreads the holes apart so they don't act like a perferated line which is what would happen with a normal stitch. then they said after that is sewn, to fold those two flaps down. and sew those down. now i know you'll end up seeing those threads.. but thats ok, i'll find a matching thread so its not too noticable.

--Luke

That's what I ent by the bar, it passes through this mess tubing tingy that is sewed down (forget the name for the part). As for the hog rigns...well...I suppose you car TRY to reuse the stock ones, but for me (and most upholstery shops) it's easier to get new ones. It makes removable all the easier, since the stock ones are already clamped into shpae, etc. That would make trying to get them on tough, and getting them off without ruining them more is tough as well. New ones are easy to put on, it's just line up and clamp em down. As for the sticht, I've never heard of anyone double stitching on a civic seat. Some seats have that design, ours don't. You can do it if you want, just make sure you can sew STRAIGHT. Otherwise, study how they go toghter stock. Yoiu can sew trhe line that way, and just fold it right side out. The stitch should holdl.

lkailburn

06-20-2004, 12:16 AM

eckoman_pdx

06-20-2004, 05:45 AM

yah.. i think i might just stick to how they are sewn together from the factory. i doubt i would be able to keep a straight enough stitch line to do those other stitches which would be visible.

any who.. i just ran into something that pissed me off beyond belief!!!!! i was tracing out a peice of the cloth on the vinyl. i was doing it on my dinning room table so i decided to cover the table with some newspaper just so i don't get stuff on the vinyl.. so i get a perfect trace of the stock peice, pull it off and was gonna cut the vinyl, when i flipped it over, and saw that some of the ink from the newspaper bled onto the vinyl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it doesn't come out either.. i'm ticked off beyond belief because this is supposed to be the marine grade vinyl.. the vinyl that is stain resistant, uv protected etc etc.. and its like if it already stained.. what the hell is the point of putting it in my car!! i don't know what to do now..

any ideas james?

thanks,
Luke

Hmm...there are a few ideas...get ahold of a product from auto magic called special cleaner concentrate. Dilute it some, maybe 8:1...stronger than the bottle says...spray it on the spot and scrub with a stiff brush or toothbrush...then scrub with your figures behind a towel and wipe it off...if this doesn't lighten it...there is one last trick, though I don't know if it will lift the fabirc dye or not...Laquer thinner...it's an old detailers trick. Wet a cloth with laquer thinner and rub/wipe the stained part...it should lighten it and/or remove it. If that doesn't work...I don't know. Usually, after the special, if laqcuer doesn't work, it's not going to bugde. Was this on the visable size of the fabric or the back side it stained?

Try tracing it with the visable size up...use chalk to trace it, as it will come off with a little spray and wipe easy if you need once it's all cut out. This way, you can remove the lines when you need, but they are there when you need em, plus you won't run the bleeding risk on the visable side. Also, the relief cuts, the little v-shaped cut marks in the stock peices...mark those as well. Make sure they stay marked, or cut the small v's into the pattern you made. When you sew the cover, you'll use those to line the peices up properly, helping make sure everything lines up correct when you sew. Also, sew some test peices before you tackle the actual seat cover...trust me, lol.

lkailburn

06-20-2004, 02:12 PM

eckoman_pdx

06-20-2004, 04:52 PM

i will deffinitly sew some test peices before i attempt the seats. another project is making a 2 tone shift boot to match the seats(using the same vinyl). i've already traced out the 4 peices of the boot and have cut out the 2 in the vinyl i have. i still need to pick up my charcoal vinyl.

anywho, i'll try what you mention on removing the stain. the stain is on the visible side of the vinyl. the way i had it was visible side down on the newspaper, and i was using a regular pen to trace out the stock peice onto the back. the pen did not bleed through.. it was the ink from the paper. but from now on i will just use a pencil on the back side. i've got the v's traced into the pattern already. but thanks for checkin to make sure i had em :)

shit maybe we should move all this to an interior post.. seeing as tho this is the diy bodykit thread hahah. can we get an admin to do that

Hmm...I don't know...you can pm silverY2Kcivic and ask....he's pretty cool.

Also, a shift boot can be diceptivly hard to sew...especailly the last seam when it's all going toghter...you have to sew the seam without sewing through to any other part of the boot...I cheat....I made the pattern, got the material and thread and asked my mom sew mine, in black cf vinly with a burgandy double stich stitch line...lol. She's a seamstress, so she knows her stuff...turned out real nice too...much nicer than my first attempt would have been I bet. That's the only thing I've done that ne though, I'm trying to sew everything esle myself.

lkailburn

06-20-2004, 05:27 PM

i bet that boot looks pretty good. how are the upholstry shop "classes" going?

eckoman_pdx

06-20-2004, 06:55 PM

i bet that boot looks pretty good. how are the upholstry shop "classes" going?

Yeah, the boot looks really nice. I am very pleased with it, it came out prefect.

The "classes" as going okay. I got sick last week, so I havn't been in there in a bit, but all my stuff is still there waiting for me. I got to finish the upper part of the 2 front seats, then redo 1 section or so on the butt cushion parts. They'll look really nice when they're done. It's coming along, abit slowly, lol. What can I say, I am talking my sweat time, lol.

maybe I'll get a pic one of these days of the boot or part of the seat.

lkailburn

06-20-2004, 09:49 PM

eckoman_pdx

06-21-2004, 05:31 PM

yah pics would be great. just curious, what car are these seats from that your redoing? i asked around to see if anyone knew if the cloth patterns from my front seats were identicala(driver and passenger).. i was curious because of the bottom cushion. having the seat belt on different sides and stuff. it would obviously be easier to just make 2 copies of the template than pulling apart the 2 sets of cloth that i bought.. but if they are different i suppose i'd have to.

thanks,
Luke

I'm wrapping seats from a 94 Integra...I got em in perfect condition from someone in town for $100 for the set. They were the seats from his car before he put sparco racing buckets in. I have my stock civic seats in the car while I'm doing this (so ithe car looks like nothing is being done to the interior at the moment, lol). Anyways, you can USE one seat as a template for both seats, although the seats are not Indentical. Usually, they are a reverse of each other (mirror image). You will trace out one the patterns for one seat with the pattern peices facing up (the part tha t shows is up). You trace this way for the seat which the pattern came from (If the pattern is from the passenger seat, you trace the fabric for the passenger seat with the pattern facing up). Then for the other seat, you turn the pattern over (part tha would show facing down) and you trace the fabric for the drivers seat that way. This should give you a pattern for both seats without having to tear both apart (for the front).