Finished carbon dash - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

driftstyre · 01-12-2006, 08:20 AM

I finished my dash. It sucked doing but the end product came out ok. I couldn't get the bag to seal completely so there are a couple of voids in obvious areas. It weighs under 4 lbs and is very flexible so it should be easier to get in behind the cage. I will probably have to take an inch or so off of each side but it will hold my guages and thats pretty much its purpose.

*exitspeed* · 01-12-2006, 08:24 AM

Wow, that's pretty cool. Hows the fitment? Or haven't you hd a chance to check yet?

SoSideways · 01-12-2006, 08:45 AM

That looks sweet man, definitely awesome that it came out that good on first try (for that dash that is).

And under 4 pounds? Damn, that's awesome!

jdms14_silvia · 01-12-2006, 08:50 AM

that is pretty dope man.. it looks like theres a huge crack down the middle.. is that one of the voids you were talking about.. you should take some pix of it in the car..

Ritz S14 · 01-12-2006, 09:40 AM

Very intresting I must say.

How about a step by step procedure?

C2AUTOSPL · 01-12-2006, 09:45 AM

That looks pretty good, I wish I could do stuff like that.

RSP13-Sideways · 01-12-2006, 10:58 AM

Bill looks good.

Looks just like the double-sided carbon fiber hood I made for myself. I had to sort of "Frankenstein" some the pieces together for my hood since I ran out of room and wasn't using a vacuum, just handlaid the carbon. I was thinking of doing the dash.

Did you make a splash of your dash with fiberglass or did you actually create a mold? I was about to start manufacturing my carbon dash this week as well. This time I'm going to use my works vacuum though.

IES13 · 01-12-2006, 11:04 AM

That is freakin awesome! Can't wait to see how it looks once its in the car!

driftstyre · 01-12-2006, 11:11 AM

I actually created a mold which took about 100 hours from start to finish. I'd write a step by step process but there are a bunch of great articles out about doing stuff like this. Learning "how" to do composite work is easy, experience is so key and I have none until this piece. I am excited to make some more stuff later (next winter maybe) but it is very time consuming and expensive. The other half of Dent Sport took the plunge with some carbon RC51 parts a few years ago and gave me some insight as well. A friend of ours lent me his vacuum pump, gel coat gun and resin collector.

s14xman · 01-12-2006, 11:37 AM

nice job for your first try! I think that is the same bagging material that we use at my work! what was your bleeder schedual like? did you use an oven to cook it or just wait a long time?

RSP13-Sideways · 01-12-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftstyre

I actually created a mold which took about 100 hours from start to finish. I'd write a step by step process but there are a bunch of great articles out about doing stuff like this. Learning "how" to do composite work is easy, experience is so key and I have none until this piece. I am excited to make some more stuff later (next winter maybe) but it is very time consuming and expensive. The other half of Dent Sport took the plunge with some carbon RC51 parts a few years ago and gave me some insight as well. A friend of ours lent me his vacuum pump, gel coat gun and resin collector.

Well the good news is that you've created a mold man! That's the hardest part haha, after that you just have to make sure it's clean and waxed and pump parts out. The more parts you lay up the more experience you will gain. I'm pretty good with manufacturing composites, my work does fiberglass aerodynamics, carbon fiber and urethane so I have access to all those machines. Good luck buddy!

***FaLKoN240*** · 01-12-2006, 12:59 PM

Umm. . .what about that big crack?

TougeRacing · 01-12-2006, 01:40 PM

i thought it was just a garbage bag laying on the ground at first hahahahhahah, but nice work doin it yourself.

chmercer · 01-12-2006, 01:42 PM

thats not a big crack. thats where the sheets of carbon run together.

what kind of resin did you use?

Pank · 01-12-2006, 03:30 PM

that is awesome, i would love to see a step by step process if you have the time

*NemeGuero* · 01-12-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chmercer

thats not a big crack. thats where the sheets of carbon run together.

what kind of resin did you use?

The one across the would be SRS? That doesn't look like 2 sheets running together.. that looks like a slit in one sheet.

Nice job for a first try. Keep at it, it'll only get better.

Sean1978 · 01-12-2006, 04:06 PM

I don't know why there aren't any companies making one for the USDM 240SX yet, I just want to replace my cracked dash with something new that isin't going to crack next month like used replacement dash....

driftstyre · 01-12-2006, 04:26 PM

What looks like a crack in the middle is in fact where the two pieces of carbon meet , one overlapping the other. The top half of the dash will be flocked for anti-glare so there won't be too much showing.

reefer1114 · 01-12-2006, 04:51 PM

pic installed plz...how long did it take you? props!

*NemeGuero* · 01-12-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driftstyre

What looks like a crack in the middle is in fact where the two pieces of carbon meet , one overlapping the other. The top half of the dash will be flocked for anti-glare so there won't be too much showing.

Yes, but not the part over the passenger side. 2 weaves aren't meeting there, that looks like a cut.

FallbrookS13 · 01-12-2006, 05:36 PM

thats awesome. id paint it black if i had one. how much would you charge to make another one?

RSP13-Sideways · 01-12-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallbrookS13

thats awesome. id paint it black if i had one. how much would you charge to make another one?

Hehehehe I knew that was coming. You would have to see the product in person before thinking of buying one. My 240SX CF hood was great except the carbon had to be painted because there were overlapping carbon pieces and it was my first carbon fiber piece manufactured so it looked like a frankenstein hood.

Perhaps if driftstyre was kind enough to give us more upclose shots we could see the quality

but judging from the pictures already provided it's really a "beginners" manufactured dash...like driftstyre said, this was his first time messin' with anykind of composite.

kY.gordon · 01-12-2006, 08:01 PM

props for you... whats ur next peice your making?

nigel1 · 01-13-2006, 02:04 AM

very cool man. too bad you ABSOLUTLEY HAVE TO PAINT IT!!!!

just kidding do what you want. you should make some smaller parts first then go for another dash!

driftstyre · 01-13-2006, 06:34 AM

"thats awesome. id paint it black if i had one. how much would you charge to make another one?"

RSP13-Sideways is right on the money. The quality isn't anything I would want to sell but it works for me. There are plenty of defects and I already would have done a lot different in the lay up process and bagging process. I wasn't expecting it to be very good but I was expecting it to be ok. I have always had a lot of respect for people doing wet carbon work.

I fit the piece in the car and its pretty cool. I was getting nervous about how I would fit it in but after a little trimming it actually works pretty well. I'll post some pics later today.

To answer some other questions:
The epoxy is Fiberglast Epoxy Resin with their 120 minute hardener

andrewmp6 · 01-13-2006, 07:02 AM

i love the idea hope you have good luck with it

FallbrookS13 · 01-13-2006, 03:28 PM

well i dont really care how it looks i just want a lighter dash. im pretty sure i could clean it up and even bondo some areas if it is that bad and then paint it to make it look clean. im just interested in it cause its a stock looking dash.

chmercer · 01-13-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NemeGuero

Yes, but not the part over the passenger side. 2 weaves aren't meeting there, that looks like a cut.

??? are you talking about the lighting glare line? that thing has no cracks

driftshot · 01-13-2006, 11:27 PM

Great first fun ... a couple more times and you should be pro ... I'll contact you to do my dash =D in about 5 months ---- practice !

Sky240PWR · 01-14-2006, 11:11 PM

I've got a idea for your next dash, when you join the two pieces of the dash, you should join it where the hump(gauge area) meets the rest of the dash, that way the "crack" won't be as noticable

01-12-2006, 08:20 AM	#1
driftstyre Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boston Age: 42 Posts: 748 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Finished carbon dash I finished my dash. It sucked doing but the end product came out ok. I couldn't get the bag to seal completely so there are a couple of voids in obvious areas. It weighs under 4 lbs and is very flexible so it should be easier to get in behind the cage. I will probably have to take an inch or so off of each side but it will hold my guages and thats pretty much its purpose.

01-12-2006, 08:24 AM	#2
exitspeed aWingThing.com Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 41 Posts: 20,898 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Wow, that's pretty cool. Hows the fitment? Or haven't you hd a chance to check yet? __________________ What I do for a living...www.mhrussell.com

01-12-2006, 08:50 AM	#4
jdms14_silvia Leaky Injector Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 128 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	that is pretty dope man.. it looks like theres a huge crack down the middle.. is that one of the voids you were talking about.. you should take some pix of it in the car.. __________________

01-12-2006, 09:45 AM	#6
C2AUTOSPL Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Loma Linda Posts: 1,706 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	That looks pretty good, I wish I could do stuff like that. __________________ CONTACT ME THRU: - AIM: wide180sx - Email: [email protected] - MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/c2auto - BLOG: www.c2auto.wordpress.com

01-12-2006, 10:58 AM	#7
RSP13-Sideways Zilvia Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Age: 39 Posts: 850 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Bill looks good. Looks just like the double-sided carbon fiber hood I made for myself. I had to sort of "Frankenstein" some the pieces together for my hood since I ran out of room and wasn't using a vacuum, just handlaid the carbon. I was thinking of doing the dash. Did you make a splash of your dash with fiberglass or did you actually create a mold? I was about to start manufacturing my carbon dash this week as well. This time I'm going to use my works vacuum though. __________________ - Jay WTB: Nothing at the moment. LEWL WTS: Everything sold, thanks folks!

01-12-2006, 08:45 AM	#3
SoSideways Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: 你老母 Posts: 4,371 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	That looks sweet man, definitely awesome that it came out that good on first try (for that dash that is). And under 4 pounds? Damn, that's awesome!

01-12-2006, 09:40 AM	#5
Ritz S14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: C A L I F O R N I A Age: 39 Posts: 3,586 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Very intresting I must say. How about a step by step procedure?

01-12-2006, 11:04 AM	#8
IES13 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: IE Posts: 246 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	That is freakin awesome! Can't wait to see how it looks once its in the car!

01-12-2006, 11:11 AM	#9
driftstyre Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boston Age: 42 Posts: 748 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	I actually created a mold which took about 100 hours from start to finish. I'd write a step by step process but there are a bunch of great articles out about doing stuff like this. Learning "how" to do composite work is easy, experience is so key and I have none until this piece. I am excited to make some more stuff later (next winter maybe) but it is very time consuming and expensive. The other half of Dent Sport took the plunge with some carbon RC51 parts a few years ago and gave me some insight as well. A friend of ours lent me his vacuum pump, gel coat gun and resin collector.

01-12-2006, 11:37 AM	#10
s14xman Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: washington Age: 37 Posts: 1,022 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	nice job for your first try! I think that is the same bagging material that we use at my work! what was your bleeder schedual like? did you use an oven to cook it or just wait a long time? __________________ FRontline (marinating since 02)

01-12-2006, 12:59 PM	#12
*FaLKoN240* Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 16,761 Trader Rating: (73) Feedback Score: 73 reviews	Umm. . .what about that big crack? __________________ Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

01-12-2006, 01:40 PM	#13
TougeRacing Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: CA Posts: 375 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i thought it was just a garbage bag laying on the ground at first hahahahhahah, but nice work doin it yourself.

01-12-2006, 01:42 PM	#14
chmercer BANNED Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: texas! Age: 35 Posts: 3,288 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thats not a big crack. thats where the sheets of carbon run together. what kind of resin did you use?

01-12-2006, 03:30 PM	#15
Pank Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 38 Posts: 3,627 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	that is awesome, i would love to see a step by step process if you have the time __________________ high performance driveway photography zenki s14---v8 fc rx7 my crappy flickr page (drift cars whoo)

01-12-2006, 04:06 PM	#17
Sean1978 Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Havelock / Chery Point N.C. Age: 42 Posts: 190 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't know why there aren't any companies making one for the USDM 240SX yet, I just want to replace my cracked dash with something new that isin't going to crack next month like used replacement dash.... __________________ My Datsun 510 Wagon

01-12-2006, 04:26 PM	#18
driftstyre Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boston Age: 42 Posts: 748 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	What looks like a crack in the middle is in fact where the two pieces of carbon meet , one overlapping the other. The top half of the dash will be flocked for anti-glare so there won't be too much showing.

01-12-2006, 04:51 PM	#19
reefer1114 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in your womans pants Posts: 638 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	pic installed plz...how long did it take you? props!

01-12-2006, 05:36 PM	#21
FallbrookS13 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Fallbrook, CA ....i love this place Age: 36 Posts: 126 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thats awesome. id paint it black if i had one. how much would you charge to make another one? __________________ hi.

01-12-2006, 08:01 PM	#23
kY.gordon Banned from the Marketplace Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bay Area SF Posts: 123 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	props for you... whats ur next peice your making?

01-13-2006, 02:04 AM	#24
nigel1 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fresno Ca Posts: 256 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	very cool man. too bad you ABSOLUTLEY HAVE TO PAINT IT!!!! just kidding do what you want. you should make some smaller parts first then go for another dash! __________________ +0 offset PWNS me

01-13-2006, 06:34 AM	#25
driftstyre Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boston Age: 42 Posts: 748 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	"thats awesome. id paint it black if i had one. how much would you charge to make another one?" RSP13-Sideways is right on the money. The quality isn't anything I would want to sell but it works for me. There are plenty of defects and I already would have done a lot different in the lay up process and bagging process. I wasn't expecting it to be very good but I was expecting it to be ok. I have always had a lot of respect for people doing wet carbon work. I fit the piece in the car and its pretty cool. I was getting nervous about how I would fit it in but after a little trimming it actually works pretty well. I'll post some pics later today. To answer some other questions: The epoxy is Fiberglast Epoxy Resin with their 120 minute hardener

01-13-2006, 07:02 AM	#26
andrewmp6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: kentucky Posts: 376 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i love the idea hope you have good luck with it

01-13-2006, 03:28 PM	#27
FallbrookS13 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Fallbrook, CA ....i love this place Age: 36 Posts: 126 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	well i dont really care how it looks i just want a lighter dash. im pretty sure i could clean it up and even bondo some areas if it is that bad and then paint it to make it look clean. im just interested in it cause its a stock looking dash. __________________ hi.

01-13-2006, 11:27 PM	#29
driftshot Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SanDiego / Phoenix Posts: 83 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Great first fun ... a couple more times and you should be pro ... I'll contact you to do my dash =D in about 5 months ---- practice !

01-14-2006, 11:11 PM	#30
Sky240PWR Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 188 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've got a idea for your next dash, when you join the two pieces of the dash, you should join it where the hump(gauge area) meets the rest of the dash, that way the "crack" won't be as noticable

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