A few project ideas

[AdamDude04]

Project ideas:

1: Flat black (primer black) interior pannels. I currently have dark gray plastic interior. I am wanting something fresh, so looking to go for a flat black paint job for all the interior plastic, except the wood trim.

Question: How easy is it to paint the plastic interior parts? A simple amount of time with some sand paper scruffing it up, then 4-6 coats of black primer and call it good?

I'll be accenting the flat black dash and trim peices with black sports leather. Black sports leather on the fabric portions of the door panles,, headliner, and the seats re-done with silver thread stitch, and maybe "1989 Bronco XLT" stiched on the side of the seats (facing out the door). This color scheme should match perfectly with my black/silver two tone paint job.

2: A/C vent tapped and routed into the glove box. Reason for this, say for a sandwich or soda you want to keep cool in the summer, be easy to do so by having the A/C cool air blwoing into a small area. Anyone ever done this? Thinking weather strip along the edges so cold air can't escape..

3: Switching up the heater controls with the stereo. Stereo sits too low. Anyone put the heater controls below the stereo, and the stereo where the heater controls sit? I know the bolt in place patterns are different..nothing a simple drilling of new holes can't fix??

 

[Seabronc]

You are just full of fresh ideas /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> . Why don't you do a couple of these projects, photograph as you go, and submit a post to the "How To" forum. Keep this type of thinking up and, who knows, you might hit on something one of these days that makes you millions / .

Good luck,

>-

 

[miesk5]

Yep, take many pics and show the before & after as suggested by our pal Seabronc!

Some basic info for ya;

"...Dye Information, Review & Source, SEM - B did his door panels, & wanted to restore em to OEM colors, but it's good for da dash, etc.

Source: by BLOODSWEATSTEEL

The door panel thread got me thinking just how long it took me to find exact paint to match my interior trim. I tried almost every paint store in town in my search (and I even work in a 1,000,000 sq. ft. Sherwin Williams warehouse.) I purchased about ten different types in my quest for the perfect paint. While some were close, there was one CLEARLY above and beyond all the rest.

It is produced by a company named SEM, and is available through a few auto paint suppliers. The color I bought; "bluemist" was an exact match to the factory interior. I couldn't believe my eyes. It blew Krylon Fusion, VHT color-dye, all the popular aerosols, custom-mixed jobs........everything right out of the water. Come to find out, they are also the only Ford licensed aftermarket manufactrer of aersols out there. (prolly explains the match. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> .)

Anyways, may make it a little easier if anybody is having the same difficulty I had in my quest. :thumbup

By the way guys... if you are going to buy some of this type of paint, color-match the interior to the color chart on the paint rack, NOT the cap of the spray can. (They vary slightly, but the chart is right-on.) Easiest way is to just bring your fuse panel in the store with you.

You'll probably have to use the distributor search function to find a supplier in your area and match up the color at the store. I remember they had probably about ~60 colors, so it's a safe bet to assume they make one for your application..."

Find it locally or;

http://www.autostyles.com/sem.htm

VINYL & LEATHER PREP (for use on old, worn plastic surfaces. Prepares the surface to receive the dye) 13 oz aerosol can SEM.38343 $16.95 each

SAND FREE (for use on old, worn plastic surfaces. Prepares the surface to receive the dye) 13 oz aerosol can SEM.38363 $19.95 each

HIGH LUSTER CLEAR (Produces a clear gloss finish after dying vinyl or plastic) 13 oz can SEM.13003 $19.95 each

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more Info/Mod Links in my site under Interior, Paint, Dye & Rust Proofing

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such as by my pal, Sixlitre05-21-2004, 08:51 AM

I had to get a can custom mixed because of aerosol importation problems this month, but it was worth it looking at the results;

http://www.superford.org/getfile.php?id=12...;f=IMG_0011.JPG

http://www.superford.org/getfile.php?id=12...;f=IMG_0029.JPG

All I had to do was my door panels as the rest of the interior is absolutely mint, no scratches or fading after 19 years !

Here's the door panel restoration pics

http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles...s=18115#content

Thought about orange, but didn't have the guts to go through with it..."...lol

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Drink Cooler:

an air conditioned glove box idea by John;

How to do it is easy. Most modern AC systems run the AC part to

achieve a set evaporator temperature, usually near freezing, and

then set the cockpit temperature by tempering the air with either

heat or outside air or both. Evaporator temperature control is

pressure control either by POA valve, etc or compressor clutch

cycling. In either system, the compressor operation follows heat

load.

Knowing this, the solution easily follows. Simply set up another

expansion loop in the glove box. When I did my Z-car box, I coated

the outside of the box with aerosol insulating foam (good stuff or

equiv) and formed 1/4" copper tubing to conform to the inside of the

box, arranging a couple of paths. Tapped off the liquid line to a

new expansion valve and brought the evap exhaust back to a tee in

the compression suction line. If your system has a POA valve (GM's

name - goes by many other names), even better. If you tap your

suction downstream of the POA, you can achieve a much lower

temperature in the glove box than possible when running at the AC

evap pressure. If you need the box not to freeze, use a POA valve

(also known as a backpressure regulator) on the glove box to control

the minimum pressure and thus the lowest possible temperature. This

is much simpler and much more responsive than trying to do it with a

thermostat.

This is REALLY handy. In addition to beverage storage, other

opportunities arise. I used to do a lot of pro photography. Pro

film needs to be refrigerated. instead of having to lug around an

ice box like most photogs, I simply plopped the film in the glove

box. Would leave the engine running on location so the goodies

would stay cool. This is one of those things that you never

realized you needed until you had it and then you can't live without

it.

John"

big idea!

The Mini Cooper has "standard air conditioning with a climate-controlled glove box."

 

[Seabronc]

Don't be discouraged by us old fuddyduddys just keep thinking out of the box and you will come up with some neat stuff /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />