Diamonite Electrathon America Racer

[Functional Artist]

The "headlight area" is rounded on the outside
...& mostly straight on the other side
...but, on an angle

So, I "stacked" some "strips"

Made 'em rounded on (1) side
...& mostly "straighter" on the other

I used some Saw-Glu (*Registered Trademark) (wood glue & saw dust) as/for "body filler"

Closer up(per) view

 

[Functional Artist]

After lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots & lots...of sanding
...I went ahead & sealed 'er the whole thing up, with some primer

Ducky helped pick out the paint

Step (1) 'framing"

Step (2) colorin' in, the "spaces"

Jualla

 

[Master Hack]

Wait! When did ya start makin a boat?

 

[Master Hack]

All seriousness aside, l like the disco camo paint job!

 

[Denny]

It’s 1970s kinda cool. In a Partridge Family kind of way.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

It’s 1970s kinda cool. In a Partridge Family kind of way.

Come on, get happy

 

[Functional Artist]

Wanted to "point out" some "body work" detail

Like, notice the big 'ole "gap" along where the hood meets the fender "area"
...& where the hood & fender meet-up with the headlight?

Well...this is the other side (didn't get any pics of that side)

Up(per) closer view
I think it looks pretty goodly

* Also, whilst cleanin' up, I noticed the wood strips (on my first body plug mold) swelling up & spreadin' out even more

That "shyt" wants OUT

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

That MDF is not moisture's friend. It's like "super" cardboard, basically.

 

[Denny]

I agree your problem is moisture and humidity. It looks like you got some serious shrinkage going on?

 

[Functional Artist]

Been havin' some computer issues
...but, I'ma thinkin', that I'ma "back in business" now

Still makin' progress

Like makin' flangette establishers
Installin' flangette establishers

Wrappin' 'em around the "nose"

Gonna split the top, into (2) sections

Used some Latex caulk to seal up the "seams"
...& to establish some radiuses

Kinda like this

...& gave 'er a coat of "barrier cream" (PVA mold release agent)

 

[Master Hack]

I was ready to call search and rescue, the coast guard, and an internet sleuth.
you were MIA for days!

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey T,

I have still been following along on your (& others) projects (with my phone)
...just kinda outta of my "comfort zone" for posting &/or responding

So/by the time I got the PVA applied it was gettin' dark
...so, I covered 'er up for the night with one of them blue HF tarps
...but, it seems like morning dew had an effect on this stuff

Close up(per) view

I just left it alone
...& after a few hours seemed to mostly "settle" back down

 

[Functional Artist]

After cuttin' some FG cloth
...I started a fiberglassin' the first section

Work "in progress"

Side view

Wrappin' around the "nose"

First layer...done

 

[Denny]

I was ready to call search and rescue, the coast guard, and an internet sleuth.
you were MIA for days!

He even called the Tydy-Bowl man to have him see if you fell in! Glad you ain’t dead!!!

 

[Master Hack]

Burned out on glassn no doubt.

 

[Functional Artist]

Burned out on glassn no doubt.

Hey T,

This is only the first layer on the first section
...we have a long ways to go...my friend

Second layer on first the section

Another view

I found that ya shouldn't apply the PVA (barrier cream) too far in advance
...'cause (as we have seen) moisture has an effect on it

So, I had ta "peel" some back off
...& re-apply

I "peeled" the flangette establishers off, in between the first section & the second section
...caulked the seams (to establish radiuses)
...& then, gave 'er a coat of PVA

This the junction between the front section & the rear section
...& the top section & the bottom section
Caulked & coated

 

[Functional Artist]

The first & second layers were only CSM (chopped strand mat)
...but, with the third layer, I started adding in some of the stronger 1708 cloth
...& installed some re-enforcement "ribs" too

Fourth layer done (mostly 1708 cloth)

 

[Functional Artist]

I let 'er cure overnight
...then, used a 1" straight edge
...& a sharpie to "mark" the flanges for trimmin'

Then, used the oscillating tool ta do the trimmin'

* Notice the vacuum hose? (hanging just above the trimmin' area)
...& the debris "catch bin"? (down below)

This pic shows the thickness of the blade (~3/32")
...as compared to the FG flange (over 1/8") thick

 

[Functional Artist]

Lookie what I went & did (de-molded)

The "plug" sustained some "battle damage" (mostly superficial)

On the "nose" too

Close up(per) view

 

[Functional Artist]

Top/front section

Closer up(per) view
* Used the garden hose, scraper & a brush to wash out any PVA residue

Did some "dry" clean up on the "plug" too

Mostly scraping off the caulk (seam sealers/fillets)