Interior makeover Part 2 (pictures)

[Brandon]

ok, this is from http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69908

and as stated, this isnt how i wanted it to end up... read the thread in the above link for that... so please dont say how bad it looks... im going to redo it as soon as i can get to the junkyard to get more trim peices... with that said... heres the pictures....

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror001.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror002.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror004.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror006.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror007.jpg
(the switches)
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror008.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror009.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror011.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror013.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror012.jpg

[Brandon]

well yay, i thought they wouldnt be so bad... (used my old camera) sorry for the blurryness... but its gonna have to do ya's :)

[kody]

Ouch, what happened. Are you gonna try again or just replace the trim pieces and forget it? If you make another go at it you should practice on the old trim pieces first until you get it right. Good luck.

[Brandon]

Originally posted by Brandon
ok, this is from http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69908

and as stated, this isnt how i wanted it to end up... read the thread in the above link for that... so please dont say how bad it looks... im going to redo it as soon as i can get to the junkyard to get more trim peices... with that said... heres the pictures....


and most of the parts that look bad is just glue residue... but since im redoing it as previously stated im not to worried about it... something to improve on the next time around

[echoicse]

Brandon,with cutting out any type of plastics-using x-acto blades,etc. you will usually get rough cuts. What you want to do now is go to your local hobby store (ones that sell plastic models,HO & O Gauge train models,etc.). Hobby stores sell crafts/models files-these files are smaller and finer toothed to do detail filing. I have a number of these files for the projects like what your doing! These files will get rid of the rough cut that you have presently. Also finger nail files are also a file to have in your collection for this type of project. So far I think your project is coming along just fine,so next step hobby store and get a collection of hobby files.

[Brandon]

*never thought of that* the files i had were all to big and were killing the little part of the "G" and almost broke it....


thanks for that tidbit!

[04alyGT]

Ouch, well don't give up man because its an awesome concept. I agree with echoicse, get some better tools to do this project and take your time, should come out great. Sucks that you have to get new trim though, idk how much that costs but shouldn't be too much right?

[Brandon]

im guessing 10 bucks a side... it honestly doesnt look that bad in person because the pictures are blown up (well way bigger on the computer then in real life) so its not as bad... but im redoing it reguardless.

[04alyGT]

Oh dude, you should take some pictures along the way if you can.

[echoicse]

Originally posted by Brandon
*never thought of that* the files i had were all to big and were killing the little part of the "G" and almost broke it....


thanks for that tidbit!

Hey,another good tool to have is a soldering gun...they have a tip just for cutting into plastics. Used this tool-soldering gun-also, just had to remember what you wanted to cut out you do the minimum cut and filed out the true detail.

[Brandon]

i ended up using a soldering iron to get it, and a biiiig file to knock out the rest..... but my hands were getting a little shakey and i took out to much with the iron....

i was thinking of a dremel maybe?

[echoicse]

Originally posted by Brandon
i ended up using a soldering iron to get it, and a biiiig file to knock out the rest..... but my hands were getting a little shakey and i took out to much with the iron....

i was thinking of a dremel maybe?

That tool would be great to use also...dremel. And so many tool manufactures make those electric tools now, and the sanding discs you can buy is endless!

[Brandon]

i think im going to try the dremel/hobby file deal the next time around, and as soon as the weather breaks and im out of work early im going to go to the junkyard and get my new peices!

[wiseojelly]

I can't wait to see when you are done, Brandon :)

[echoicse]

Originally posted by Brandon
i think im going to try the dremel/hobby file deal the next time around, and as soon as the weather breaks and im out of work early im going to go to the junkyard and get my new peices!

Sounds good to me, Brandon! You gotta admit this idea is pretty cool!! Someday, I'll post pictures of the leds,etc. lighting that I did for my Son's 'Stang...it will give you even more ideas of lighting for your interior for your GrandAm!

[04alyGT]

Wait i just got an idea here.
Someone in my family has a laser that they use to etch words and such into materials and crap. I know it cuts through stuff too, maybe it would cut through the plastic trim? I'll have to ask, if that were possible you could just have someone cut GT out in laser precision.

[Brandon]

that is another good idea... not sure of any place that does that locally though.

[tenspeed]

Make a template so you don't cut outside the lines. Use a drill bit on the corners first so you get the same radius then cut between the holes.

After you get the letters cut, get a piece of Plexiglas, sand it to make if frosted and glue it on the inside. The whole letter will light up. Try it out on the old pieces first to get your technique down.

[Brandon]

jim, thats what i tried first, and failed with the coping saw approach, tried box cutter knifes, tried getting a pair of snips in there, failed with that approach too... the second (drivers side) with the soldering iron honestly isnt all that bad... if i sand it down and file the edges more i think it would be a keeper... just redo the glue with the mirror back there (theres also peices that hold the plastic to the car itself you have to work around which is another reason its being difficult to finish nicely)

not sure about the plexiglass though... im really liking the mirror approach, but i might give it a shot since i can get if for almost free at work.

[Brandon]

this is the one if i cleaned it up more... would look good

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l180/bigb04/Grand%20Am/gtmirror009.jpg

[sudden_impulse]

DO you have access to a CNC setup? If your local high school has a tech program they probably have one. It's be the same as the laser, just pop the plexiglass in, get the design right, and let it do its work. You'd have to do a few passes with the one we have here, but that's because it's only set up to etch the plexiglass, not fully cut it.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

brandon, do what jim said with plexi, it will light up more uniformly than mirrors will.

[echoicse]

Originally posted by tenspeed
Make a template so you don't cut outside the lines. Use a drill bit on the corners first so you get the same radius then cut between the holes.

After you get the letters cut, get a piece of Plexiglas, sand it to make if frosted and glue it on the inside. The whole letter will light up. Try it out on the old pieces first to get your technique down.

Jim, has a good idea w/plexiglas but as we all know it's a very tough to mold and bend without breaking. If you have a Art Store around you,where professional artists,etc. go, they have a plastic material that you can shape and mold called "acetate". Acetate comes in different types of sizes,clear and frosted and colored sheets. Artists use acetate for a protective barrier and a frame per example like a art piece in a Museum. If you live in Western,N.Y. we would go to Hyatt's Art store. And with using acetate all what you need to do is use plastic glue to have it adhere to the plastic car part.

[04alyGT]

I asked and the laser can cut through it, but i know the limits to the one at my disposal is that it can only hold a piece 24 inches in size.

[sudden_impulse]

The CNC machine we have has about the same limitations, but for Brandon's setup he doesn't need a huge piece to cut.