The making of a rear valence
#43
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Ill keep updating you guys if you like. Im kinda nervous about laying the fiberglass because I read all sorts of ways to do it and Ive never done it before. Im also trying to decide if I want to make a mold and then make the valence, or make the valence from the plug im workin on now. If anyone has done this before, feel free to chime in. Id also love it if someone would photoshop my idea on to my car. You can use this pic:
Last edited by DeusExMaxima; 01-02-2008 at 12:43 PM.
#44
Thanks. Looks like that would make a nice grill material but obviously you'd want 1 large sheet to cut from.
#48
Do you still have a deal/discount going on for the Remus exhausts?
Love them, but I won't be able to buy probably until mid year. Let me know if you do and if the deal will last that long.
#50
Hey, keep us posted, I'm sure I'm not the only one interested, but I'll go dual pipe though
#56
#58
I love this idea. Mad props Deus. Cant wait to see the final result.
http://www.uscomposites.com
#60
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
I already got the fiberglass and resin. All these stores sell the same stuff : Home Depot, Lowes, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, but Walmart has cheapest prices.
Hilbe, I may take you up on that. Im pretty sure Im going to need a resonator.
Matt: Im going to use the same size pipe that my Cattman straight pipe has (whatever size that is) and continue it all the way to the rear muffler (whichever one I use).
Hilbe, I may take you up on that. Im pretty sure Im going to need a resonator.
Matt: Im going to use the same size pipe that my Cattman straight pipe has (whatever size that is) and continue it all the way to the rear muffler (whichever one I use).
#61
don't even think about using the plug you've made this from. styrofoam and tape and bondo and metal screen and painted urethane are a poor mix. it'll fall apart in no time. when you get to the finished product, you're going to need to make a mold over it and then make the final product from it.
OR you can start over and use fiberglass only. but I wouldn't recommend that either because of the brittleness compared to your rear bumper. it'll very likely crack or chip or something and look like crap after your bumper flexes a few times for whatever reason.
good idea, poor execution.
OR you can start over and use fiberglass only. but I wouldn't recommend that either because of the brittleness compared to your rear bumper. it'll very likely crack or chip or something and look like crap after your bumper flexes a few times for whatever reason.
good idea, poor execution.
#62
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
don't even think about using the plug you've made this from. styrofoam and tape and bondo and metal screen and painted urethane are a poor mix. it'll fall apart in no time. when you get to the finished product, you're going to need to make a mold over it and then make the final product from it.
OR you can start over and use fiberglass only. but I wouldn't recommend that either because of the brittleness compared to your rear bumper. it'll very likely crack or chip or something and look like crap after your bumper flexes a few times for whatever reason.
good idea, poor execution.
OR you can start over and use fiberglass only. but I wouldn't recommend that either because of the brittleness compared to your rear bumper. it'll very likely crack or chip or something and look like crap after your bumper flexes a few times for whatever reason.
good idea, poor execution.
#64
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
The problem I have is that I get pulled in different directions as to how to make this. In my research, I find many different opinions and so forth regarding how to fiberglass something. I would prefer to make this out of urethane but I understand that it takes expensive molding machinery to make it. Im always looking for guidance here. Id also like someone to photoshop this idea on to my car so I can have a clearer picture of it.
#65
The problem I have is that I get pulled in different directions as to how to make this. In my research, I find many different opinions and so forth regarding how to fiberglass something. I would prefer to make this out of urethane but I understand that it takes expensive molding machinery to make it. Im always looking for guidance here. Id also like someone to photoshop this idea on to my car so I can have a clearer picture of it.
#66
the problem right now is that you've got layers of foam held onto the urethane with tape. then you're bondoing and glassing over that. so for all intents and purposes, the whole thing has a sheet of plastic between it (the tape). so it's never going to adhere properly..
you've got to sand down to bare urethane and rough it up and then use a flexible product (more urethane) to adhere to it.
OR you can finish your current piece, then make a mold from of it, cut it as necessary to separate the pieces later, then clean and apply release agent.. finally glass inside the mold and remove for your finished piece.
#67
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
That would be the better way to do it, IMO.
the problem right now is that you've got layers of foam held onto the urethane with tape. then you're bondoing and glassing over that. so for all intents and purposes, the whole thing has a sheet of plastic between it (the tape). so it's never going to adhere properly..
you've got to sand down to bare urethane and rough it up and then use a flexible product (more urethane) to adhere to it.
OR you can finish your current piece, then make a mold from of it, cut it as necessary to separate the pieces later, then clean and apply release agent.. finally glass inside the mold and remove for your finished piece.
the problem right now is that you've got layers of foam held onto the urethane with tape. then you're bondoing and glassing over that. so for all intents and purposes, the whole thing has a sheet of plastic between it (the tape). so it's never going to adhere properly..
you've got to sand down to bare urethane and rough it up and then use a flexible product (more urethane) to adhere to it.
OR you can finish your current piece, then make a mold from of it, cut it as necessary to separate the pieces later, then clean and apply release agent.. finally glass inside the mold and remove for your finished piece.
Your second paragraph is probably the best way to go and Im thinking along those lines now, and that also has the advantage of making unlimited valences. So if I break mine, I can make a new one. I was wondering about when you say "cut it as necessary. Dont I want to keep it in one piece so I dont have to bond the pieces together?
#68
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Also, if you can chop this opening from the front of my Stillen lip (first pic) onto the rear (second pic)
Last edited by DeusExMaxima; 01-03-2008 at 06:57 PM.
#70
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Upland CA
Posts: 7,353
Here are updated pics. First one is the right side with bondo, second shows the left side sanded ready for another layer of bondo, and the third is overall pic. Just waiting for bondo to dry. I may get to sand it and add another layer tonight if it dries fast enough.