'wittle 'wesistor (Mini Jeep)

[Functional Artist]

That wrap looks pretty kool!
...but, what's up with that seam, across the hood?

Well, the original plan (Plan A) was for most of the body to be covered in the red wrap
...& to just have a ~6" black stripe, going down the center of the hood & up over the dash backer
...& also, some of the black, to cover the front fenders

When measuring, it seemed like a 12" x 60" piece of wrap, could cover each side of the body
...& I could use another piece, of the red, for covering the tailgate, sides of the hood, cowl & dash backer

So, I ordered (3) 12" x 60" of the red
...& (2) of the 12" x 60" of the black, for the stripe (~$75.00)

The hood is the only body panel that is wider than 12"
...so, I thought the stripe idea was a good way, to only have to buy 12" wide material (the next size (24"W) is a lot more expensive)

Well, the sides turned out, about as expected
...but, after wrapping the tailgate, cowl & bash backer, I only had enough of the red wrap left, to wrap one side of the hood

* The cowl is wrapped according to plan
...but, I "ran short" when covering the dash backer

Plan B
There wasn't enough time (before the parade) to order more
...so, I went ahead & covered the hood in the black (it took (2) pieces)
...& so, yes, there is a seam

But, that piece of red was still a bit short

Plan C
So, I cut the piece, of the red that I had left, in half
...rounded the front a bit
...& installed 'em

After aligning the hood & cowl, I added the 12" stripe to the cowl

...& then, used the cowl to align the stripe on the dash backer

It wasn't intentional
...but, afterwards I noticed that where the red on the sides of the hood end (in the front) kinda aligns with the grille

 

[Functional Artist]

Looks great! It came down to the wire. Make sure to give us a post-action report.

Well, besides no brakes (or "ify" brakes at best)
...the brake lights didn't work
...& the running lights too
...but, don't tell anyone (it's a secret)

I had everything wired up for the brake lights
...but, couldn't find the micro-switch

I put in a safe spot so I wouldn't lose it

Yup, I found 'er ...now

These are nifty little switches because they can be connected & used as a NO (normally open) switch
...where the switch is off (while at rest) & not completing the circuit

...or a NC (normally closed) switch
where the switch is on (while at rest) & completing the circuit

Now, I got the headlights & running lights workin'

& the brake lights too
...but, Ima gonna have ta get ya'all some better pics

 

[Functional Artist]

I took the mini-Jeep for an evening ride
...& recorded a video too

 

[LoisRomero]

Hello everyone!

 

[Functional Artist]

There is a Jeep get together/car show "thing" today, at the Toledo Speedway
...so, Ima gonna take the 'wittle 'wesistor
...& "show 'er off"

I also, figured this may be a good opportunity
...to "do something with" the (3) extra, mini-Jeep grilles, that I pressed last summer

The sides were too short on (2) of them
...& (1) I simply cut too high when workin' on/cuttin' the slots

Now, I'm thinking garage/man cave art/decorations
...& ya can't get a custom stamped mini-Jeep grille just anywhere

The back side had 100's of sharp edges
...so, I figured if they were mounted to a piece of wood (roughly shaped like a Jeep grille)
...it would cover/hide the sharp edges
...& make them more "presentable"

Re-purposing some old, weathered plywood with some "crap" on it (paint drips, fiber glass resin drips etc.)
...gives 'em kind of a rustic look

Another view

I'm keepin' my first test press (up on the wall)

It was pressed out of a piece of fancy stamped aluminium from, the bottom of, an old screen door

 

[Master Hack]

A cool trick for weathering yer wood is:
Get a glass jar, fill it with white vinegar, toss in a few pads of steel wool.
put the lid on and let it rust. Then take the rusty sauce and wool and massage yer wood, until the desired result is achieved.

 

[Denny]

Then take the rusty sauce and wool and massage yer wood, until the desired result is achieved.

 

[Functional Artist]

Then take the rusty sauce and wool and massage yer wood

until the desired result is achieved

Did ya think Denny was gonna let that one go???

 

[Master Hack]

Did ya think Denny was gonna let that one go???

I don't know what yer thinkin. I was only suggesting a method of aging wood material.

Friggin perverts!

 

[Denny]

That sounded painful!!!

 

[Grizzlymi]

Awesome project! But, be careful where you massage that wood...........

 

[Functional Artist]

Probably final update

The 2024 Jeep fest was last weekend
...& it was a blast as usual

Here are a couple of Jeeps "stackin'/showin' off"

Also, came across someone (a nice young lady) who just loved the 'wittle 'wesistor
...& so, she ended up takin' 'er home with her (to a resort community along Lake Erie)

So, my little mini-Jeep is now a Lakeside runabout

 

[Denny]

So you sold one of your babies? Oh my god!

Congratulations! Hope you got a good buck.