I got to working on the Overhead console today. Got some more paint on it, and started on the gauge pod area.

First I disassembled the console, and removed the Expy air controls.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/disassembly1.jpg

In order to make a plate to use to mount the rings and hold the gauges, I decided to use Lucite. It is strong as hell, and easy to drill, paint, and work with.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/lucite1.jpg

After tracing the shape of the air control panel, I scored and popped the lucite panel, and glued it to the frame of the overhead section. Then painted it with adhesion promoter, and spray it with a base of dark gray. I dremeled the angle ring pattern onto the frame section, and using a door **** hole saw (55mm or 2 1/16th") I drilled through the lucite.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/firsthole1.jpg

Hole saw:
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/holesaw.jpg

Then, after things cooled down, I epoxied the Autometer angle rings onto the lucite panel. Positioning them to be at the best point of view.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/anglerings1.jpg

Assembled it to test the fit:
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/preputty1.jpg

Then busted out the Bondo, and decided to spot putty the imperfections. This is wicked stuff, and if you ever decide to work with it, Please wear a breather, its killer.
http://home.cfl.rr.com/mudfoot/jpgs/puttied1.jpg

The only thing left is to sand and repaint.

Be back later...
Joe

 

Four or five glasses of that stuff on the table and you're not going to care what the piece looks like or what the filler smells like!

 

Yep, it helps the drying time to pass.

 

Looks sweet Joe

What gauges are you going run up there?

Have you fit the whole shebang to the headliner yet? I'd be interested to know how much you had to hack off the rear.

Unfortunately console mods will be a spectator sport for me for a couple weekends, minimum - more like a month! - Domestic duties call damn tile!

I got the paint codes and I'm going to try to pickup the paint today or tomorrow and at least get that started.

Not too many glasses of 'cure accellerator' or you 'drying time' will need to be 'drying out time'! J/K drink like a fish - I do!

Good stuff man,
Herb

 

Cool....keep posting your progess. (with the console...not the wine )

 

Herb, I am gonna be running 2 Nordskog digital gauges up there. Oil pressure and Fuel Pressure.

joe

 

Joe,

How much sanding was required in the prep stages for the overhead and the floor console?

The floor unit came in today and it need a good scrub-down, but I'm hoping to get them both in paint pretty soon.

Did you, by chance, take any pics of the underside of teh floor console? It has two metal brackets screwed to the plastic base, but I think there are two more that mount to the floor. Then again - I have not idea, as I have not pulled the seat out yet!

Thanks,
Herb

 

Herb,

I don't have photos of the underneath side, at least not handy. But you are correct there are 2 more brackets that attach to the floorpan, and hook into those on the bottom of the console.

I would suggest the goofoff spray that I used, it really stripped all the gunk off the console, and left it oil/dirt free. It is a waterbased solvent, that needs to be used in well ventilated areas, but it works awesome.



If you can get it clean and you have no deep scratches, no need to sand down the texture, just shoot it with the Adhesion Promoter, and go.



holler if you need anything!
joe