Center Console Restoration Help
Hi everyone,
A while ago I bought this center console for a good price from another member on here, and haven't really had time to get to it since. The good price came from the fact that she's a little beat up and needs restoration before she goes in the notchback. I'm no expert here but I'm pretty sure this sucker is made out of fiberglass, which I have a little bit of experience with. The main areas of damage are up front, where the front lip has cracked and caved in. The other bad spot is on the side of the body, there's a chunk missing that needs to be filled in. Other than that it's mostly just scratches and cleaning that it needs.
How do you all suggest I go about doing this? I really want to keep the factory texturing that's on it, but there's a good part on the passenger side that has been sanded smooth. I've worked with both fiberglass bondo and fiberglass mats and resin (like for boats and such), but what would be the best way to repair this?
Also, I've decided to make my own top plates for it with some custom features. I'm an engineering student and have a buddy with a good 3D printer, so I'm going to toss the top plates up in CAD and see what I can do. I want to add cupholders, delete the cigarette lighter, and add a place for switches and goodies for later use (line lock, rear defrost, coin holder, etc.). Is this something that anyone else would be interested in having in their car? Reproduction top plates are pricey, and I would be able to add features as described above. Yes, they would be plastic, but there are multiple options for material (including carbon fiber-reinforced) and color available. I'm not sure how expensive they would be but a simple one with cupholders would be cheaper than reproduction factory top plates. Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks everyone!
Hi everyone,
A while ago I bought this center console for a good price from another member on here, and haven't really had time to get to it since. The good price came from the fact that she's a little beat up and needs restoration before she goes in the notchback. I'm no expert here but I'm pretty sure this sucker is made out of fiberglass, which I have a little bit of experience with. The main areas of damage are up front, where the front lip has cracked and caved in. The other bad spot is on the side of the body, there's a chunk missing that needs to be filled in. Other than that it's mostly just scratches and cleaning that it needs.
How do you all suggest I go about doing this? I really want to keep the factory texturing that's on it, but there's a good part on the passenger side that has been sanded smooth. I've worked with both fiberglass bondo and fiberglass mats and resin (like for boats and such), but what would be the best way to repair this?
Also, I've decided to make my own top plates for it with some custom features. I'm an engineering student and have a buddy with a good 3D printer, so I'm going to toss the top plates up in CAD and see what I can do. I want to add cupholders, delete the cigarette lighter, and add a place for switches and goodies for later use (line lock, rear defrost, coin holder, etc.). Is this something that anyone else would be interested in having in their car? Reproduction top plates are pricey, and I would be able to add features as described above. Yes, they would be plastic, but there are multiple options for material (including carbon fiber-reinforced) and color available. I'm not sure how expensive they would be but a simple one with cupholders would be cheaper than reproduction factory top plates. Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks everyone!
