Diamonite Electrathon America Racer

[Whitetrashrocker]

How's the appliance paint working for you?

How about a nickle review?

 

[Functional Artist]

How's the appliance paint working for you?

How about a nickle review?

Hey WTR,

I'ma likin' it more-n-more
...both the spray on version
...& the brush on

I can get a better "flow out" (uniform glossy/smooth surface) with the spray kind
...but, with the brush on kind, usin' a roller, I can cover a whole lot of "real estate" real quick like
...& get really good coverage
...& still get a reasonably smooth finish
&
It seems to "really" create a good-n-hard finish (as advertised) too

* I tried the "scratch" test in a few different places
...on both the regular black Rustoleum spray paint & this Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy paint
&
The Appliance Epoxy seems ta create a way harder scratch resistant surface/finish

 

[Functional Artist]

Workin' on/comin' up with a plan for the FG

OK so, we have a mold (on a solid base)
...with a "multi-planed" cockpit "hump"
...a "nose" w/ bottom "wrap-around" (on top)
...a "tail" w/ bottom "wrap-around" (on top)
...& (~2") flangette sides

The fiberglass will "lay" on all of the mold surfaces (this blue line)

For the first layer, I'ma gonna cover the entire thing in FG (fiberglass) CSM (chopped strand mat)
...the second layer in 1708 (bi-axial cloth) in a right leanin' orientation
...& the third layer in 1708 (bi-axial cloth) in a left leanin' orientation

Havin' the FG strands "criss-cross"
...should help make 'er good-n-strong

I'ma thinkin' them (3) layers should B good, for most of the structure
...but, I'ma also, gonna add some of the 1708 bi-axial cloth
...in a few strategic locations
...in an up & down orientation
...for additional re-enforcement

* Like in the rear wall of the cockpit area
...& on the front wall, of cockpit (up to the "nose")

 

[Functional Artist]

Before getting any cloth out, gotta get some measurements
&
Because of the big transition differences in the surfaces (side to side & front to back)
...we can't just lay a big piece (like a blanket)
...& just "work it in"

So, probably best
...& much easier to work
...ta just "piece 'er together"

Side flangettes down into the "trough"
...& probably ~1/2 way up the sides (~12")

I got out a roll of 1oz. CSM
...& after some mearurin' & markin'
...I went ta rippin'

* The (2) smaller pieces are ~14" ta easily cover the 12" we needed on the sides
...& the larger piece is ta cover the majority of the "hump"

** The (2) smaller pieces have straight/cut edges on (1) side, ta go along the edges
...but, they are torn, on the inner sides ta help blend/melt together, with the piece goin' over the "hump"
...& the edges of the "hump" piece are torn too

Tearin' method (table, guide board & gloves)

Pretty sure I tore enough ta cover...everything

 

[Functional Artist]

Seems like we gettin' close ta "doin' the thing"
I set the mold
...up on sawhorses
...& up under a shelter thing
But
I/we needed a bigger
...more flatter
...& even a bit lower, work table
So
I made (1)
...outta some scraps
...& a skid/pallet (I came across that had a nearly whole sheet of "Waferboard" type plywood stuff on it)
...that was wider
...longer
...& a few inches lower (as seen in the pic)

* Notice the scrap wood, left over from the skid/pallet (mainly wanted the big 'ol piece of "free" plywood stuff
...& the (3) long "free" 2 x 4's


Yup, that's...better

Did a quick "once over" with a piece of fine Scotch Brite (ta get rid of any "nibs" & kinda like a "cleaning")

Made sure ta get the edges in between, where the removable sections "mate up"

Did the "nose" & the "tail" & "lids" & the Screw Jack "plugs" too

 

[Functional Artist]

After blowin' off the dust
I gave the "nose" a good coat of FG mold parting wax
...& then, "buffed it off"

Up closer view

I gave main section & the "tail" a good coat of FG mold parting wax too
...& then, "buffed it off" again/too

Up closer view (of the aforementioned corner)

 

[Functional Artist]

Up next was/were the Screw Jacks

So shinny

* "Gooped up" the sides pretty goodly too

Polished/waxed the pennies/slugs too

After "goopin' up the Screw Jack "socket"
...I installed the penny/slug

Looks like this, after installin' the Screw Jack "plugs"

Another view

Another/overall view

 

[Functional Artist]

Tomorrows forecast
...& I gots the day off (mostly...ya know)
...so, I'ma thinkin' "tomorrows" the day

So, we best get this "show on the road"
I got the "tail" section installed
...onto the main section

Pretty tight "fit"

Installation method
...which secures the "tail' to the main section
...& aligns the (2) sections...literally, laterally, vertically & horizontally

* Hangin' off the edge of the table for illustration purposes (only)
...as both "ends of the mold will sit squarely & securely on the table
...durin' all FG work

Got the "nose installed too (same method)
&
Overall..."it" looks like this

Then, we needs the "lids" (or/actually the bottoms) on each "end"

Looks like this, up inside the "nose" with the "lid" on

Looks like this, up inside the "tail" with the "lid" on

** Also, seems ta be pretty tight "fits"

 

[Grizzlymi]

Moving right along nicely. I'm about an hour and a half north of you and I'm not ready for the 80 degree weather yet. Back to the 60's on wed.

 

[Functional Artist]

Moving right along nicely. I'm about an hour and a half north of you and I'm not ready for the 80 degree weather yet. Back to the 60's on wed.

Hey Grizz,
I'ma lovin the nice weather

Even got my "fairweather friend" (ElMoto) out
...& took 'er for a "spin"
...up ta Harbor Freight ta gets me a new tarp

* Hi Ducky

 

[Functional Artist]

First thing ta do, the next morning, after a quick "blow off" (ta make sure nuthin' settled on our nice-n-waxed surface)
...was to apply a coat of PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol)

This is some really thick stuff
...but, runs really, really easy

Ta-Da

But, if ya take a closer look
...there are runs on the "nose"

Runs on the "tail"

...& more runs on the sides

All of this is after lots & lots of "run mitigation"

OMG

It'll B fine
...it'll B fine
...it'll...B...fine

 

[Denny]

Get a cheap HF spray gun and spray it on? The green siphon gun has a large nozzle.

 

[Functional Artist]

Get a cheap HF spray gun and spray it on? The green siphon gun has a large nozzle.

Hey Denny,

I'ma gonna maybe try that
...as brushin' this stuff on (last summer)
...& rollin' it on (this year)
...has been a major PITA

I always try-n-use "old stock" first
...&/so, I have ~1/3 of a gal. of Polyester resin left from building the "body mold" last summer
...but, when I opened it looked kinda crusty (literally)

* Mainly around the opening
...but, ya could see some crusty-ness, down inside, on the sides, of the jug

** Is this still usable??

*** I didn't use it...askin' for a friend

We'll get back ta that...later...maybe

So/movin' on, I got out our "recipe"

** 16 oz. batches, seemed ta be pretty manageable last summer
...so, I marked a simple ol' medicine cup at ~ 7.39ml (or just under 10 ml) for measurin' our MEKP (activator/catalyst)

Also, last summer I was usin' 16oz. red Solo plastic cups, for measurin' & mixin' the resin & catalyst
...but, quickly found that they start gettin' kinda soft (like really soft)

This year, I'm gonna try these (free) clear plastic drink cups
...ta see if being clear, that they maybe made outta a different kinda plastic
...& won't "get soft" so quick...or at all

* Filled up a marked cup with water ta 16oz.
...& then, poured that water into the plastic drink cup
...& marked it/'em

Supplies

 

[Denny]

Those plastic cups will get soft too I’ll bet?

 

[Functional Artist]

16oz. of resin
...& ~7.5ml catalyst

After ~100 "strokes" or ~1 min of stirrin'
...we pours 'er in the pan
...& "goop up" the roller

4 hours later...literally

"tail" & deck area

Gettin' around all of this stuff wasa NOT fun &/or easy
...so, it had better turn out...really kool

* Note ta self...don't do that again

Here is one of the "Screw Jacks"

"nose" & hood area

Gettin' around all of this stuff wasa NOT fun &/or easy...either (what wasa I thinkin'???)
...so, it had better turn out...really...really kool

* Note ta self...don't...don't do that again...again

** For the record:
...this (1) layer, of 1oz. CSM
...took/required ~3/4 of a gallon of resin

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Turn on the vent fans!

 

[Grizzlymi]

Just a reminder FA, don't do that again, incase you forgot already.