Fun with Plastic - 41 Chrysler

[Mezz]

Just finished this set of 41 Chrysler plastic this past weekend and was So happy with how it came out that I had to post it.  It looks better in person than the pictures can show, the shine on that clearcoat is amazing!  My first try at woodgraining came out really good, nod to Grain It Technologies, but what's really cool about this set is...all of these pieces are copies, made from silicon molds, and cast in my basement.  Nod to Smooth-on for the mold making and casting part of the project.  I'm probably jumping the gun a bit by calling this a 'set' since I haven't quite finished the door strips yet, but I'm working on it...

 

Edited February 11 by Mezz
picture orientation adjustment.

[normanpitkin]

that's a tremendous job! Keep the cold ,I bet people would buy a set!

[Tom Skinner]

Mezz,

That is over the top! Excellent! Please share the door Trim and Rear Window garnishing as well! Looks better than new!

Tom

[Mezz]

Thanks guys!  Haven't grained any of the garnishing yet, wanted to see if I could pull off the plastic part first.  Heres what I've got for the doors so far.  The long strips are one-off prototypes, I still need to make a mold of them...

 

 

[harmony]

Cool and very Interesting.  It would be appreciated if you would explain the process in detail.  I went to Grain it Technologies web site and although they do show some of the process in a video.  They either have an issue with links to all the available videos on their web site, or they expect you to pay for their "info and selection" videos.  Because nothing on their video page is linkable.  The nice thing is that there are many patterns to choose from, even a number of leather patterns.

  

I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't be boring any of us if you let us in on the process with tons of pictures throughout the process and or videos.  I'd be interested in seeing exactly what tools you bought from them.  Or did you buy the complete kit? Or perhaps the Pro kit?

That roller is huge, so I'm guessing that you bought smaller rollers as well ( 7 sizes) in order to get into tight concave surfaces.  

I'm also curious what you needed from Smooth-On molds?  Was that a separate process or was the mold making process incorporated into the graining process that you did?

[Mezz]

Good questions, thanks!  I'm happy to go into more detail and I'll get some in progress pics as I continue to make more.  

 

These are two completely separate and distinct processes.  I started out several years ago just trying to solve the glove box door issue, then onto the gauge surround, and one thing led to another and I wound up doing all the dash pieces.  I only started thinking about woodgraining a couple of weeks ago.  To make the set above, 5 of the 6 pieces were test pieces I cast years ago, the gauge surround was the only one I had to make fresh.

 

I was thinking about ordering the woodgraining stuff piecemeal but once I started adding up all I needed just to get stated it made sense to bite the bullet and get a kit.  I got their midrange set that came with one 6" roller and one large pattern stamping sheet.  Its a bit pricy but given I can make multiple sets of plastic it made sense to me\for me. 

 

For the mold making, here's a good video of a Smooth-On guy making a parking light lens.  The overall shape of that lens is a pretty good analog for the dash end pieces. 

 

I'll go into more detail and will add some more pics, but theres a certain football game on TV today that needs to be watched! 

 

How To Make a Replacement Car Lens Using Crystal Clear 202 (smooth-on.com)

 

 

[jclars]

Saving for future refence! Very nice work!

[harmony]

1 hour ago, Mezz said:

Good questions, thanks!  I'm happy to go into more detail and I'll get some in progress pics as I continue to make more.  

 

These are two completely separate and distinct processes.  I started out several years ago just trying to solve the glove box door issue, then onto the gauge surround, and one thing led to another and I wound up doing all the dash pieces.  I only started thinking about woodgraining a couple of weeks ago.  To make the set above, 5 of the 6 pieces were test pieces I cast years ago, the gauge surround was the only one I had to make fresh.

 

I was thinking about ordering the woodgraining stuff piecemeal but once I started adding up all I needed just to get stated it made sense to bite the bullet and get a kit.  I got their midrange set that came with one 6" roller and one large pattern stamping sheet.  Its a bit pricy but given I can make multiple sets of plastic it made sense to me\for me. 

 

For the mold making, here's a good video of a Smooth-On guy making a parking light lens.  The overall shape of that lens is a pretty good analog for the dash end pieces. 

 

I'll go into more detail and will add some more pics, but theres a certain football game on TV today that needs to be watched! 

 

How To Make a Replacement Car Lens Using Crystal Clear 202 (smooth-on.com)

 

 

Thanks for that link.  I'm somewhat familiar with casting. I used to have a pressure pot and a vacuum tank for the purpose of woodturning projects.

So I'm guessing that some of your dash pieces were fairly long.  Did you make your own, long pressure pot or did you omit that part of the procedure?  

[RobertKB]

8 hours ago, Mezz said:

Just finished this set of 41 Chrysler plastic this past weekend and was So happy with how it came out that I had to post it.  It looks better in person than the pictures can show, the shine on that clearcoat is amazing!  My first try at woodgraining came out really good, nod to Grain It Technologies, but what's really cool about this set is...all of these pieces are copies, made from silicon molds, and cast in my basement.  Nod to Smooth-on for the mold making and casting part of the project.  I'm probably jumping the gun a bit by calling this a 'set' since I haven't quite finished the door strips yet, but I'm working on it...

 

  
Those pieces are amazing!!

[Mezz]

23 minutes ago, harmony said:

Thanks for that link.  I'm somewhat familiar with casting. I used to have a pressure pot and a vacuum tank for the purpose of woodturning projects.

So I'm guessing that some of your dash pieces were fairly long.  Did you make your own, long pressure pot or did you omit that part of the procedure?  

Ahhh, so you know the deal!  I don't have a pressure pot, I do have a vaccuum tank though.  The theory is that if I vacuum degas the mold rubber, and degas the plastic before pouring it, I can, and have, survived pretty well without it.

[harmony]

7 minutes ago, Mezz said:

Ahhh, so you know the deal!  I don't have a pressure pot, I do have a vaccuum tank though.  The theory is that if I vacuum degas the mold rubber, and degas the plastic before pouring it, I can, and have, survived pretty well without it.

Yep, I know what you're talking about and I agree.  You're doing a great job.  Keep us informed with lots of picks to drool over as the project goes on. 

[blue p15]

Man, that looks terrific!!  Very impressive!!

[Frank Gooz]

Mezz,

You parts look Fabulous Congratulations. I would like to read more as you move forward.

 

Frank 

[Scottish 41 Windsor]

Wow, these are outstanding….is this something you are doing as a one off for your car? Or something you will be making to sell to other owners? 
 

I have a 41 Windsor and glovebox door/speedo surround are pretty poor….would love a good set.

 

Mine are ivory/pearl grain colour, was thinging I could have them hydro dipped of I could find decent panels 

[OnlyMopar]

Looks great, hope you consider offering your talent and skill to those of us interested in buying a set

[rustyzman]

Outstanding work.

Old plastic failure is such an issue, this is very inspiring to see and know that with careful diligence small quantity reproduction is possible.

A masterpiece.

[Mezz]

Thanks very much for the compliments, guys!  The main reason I started tinkering with this is I have a town sedan and a 2-door sedan that I wanted to make sets for, and I dream of doing a convertible some day.  I would be interested in making a set, or pieces, to sell, but I still haven't finished the door strips yet.  Once I have a full set of molds that's a distinct possibility.  The door strips are different between models, too, so it'll take more than one mold.

 

I am, however, going to cast the first half of the mold of the first of my prototypes of the long door piece today!  Not sure if it's the left or right that I'm making now, but either one will work for both of my cars and the convertible.  My second prototype will complete the set for coupes (which need a left and a right).  The -door sedans have the posts closer together so I'll have to make one of those separately, but it would work for the front and back doors (but not the rear vent window). 

 

I'm still not sure what, or if, I'll use this wood grained set for yet, my first priority is actually to finish the 'blue sparkle' set I started several years ago.  This is what my town sedan is wearing now.  I really like this set because it's cast in blue, not painted, and the sparkles give it some depth:

 

Oh, and second picture is the door strip I'm about to make a mold of.  it's set in clay on a wood board.  And 3rd pic is the with the sides added to complete the mold box.

 

And one correction, to ensure my mold box didn't have any leaks I hit the bottom and sides with Flex Seal, so I won't be able to pour the silicon until tomorrow.

 

[49D-24BusCpe]

          ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS WORK!!!!!!!

[Scottish 41 Windsor]

Stunning work, looks perfect…..put me down for at least a glove box lid and Speedo surround.

Or a full set for a club coupe 😍

[normanpitkin]

Tremendous work ,my 41 convertible has a good set already BUT ITS GREAT TO SEE FINALLY SOMEONE MAKING REPROS!

[greg g]

You dash looks absolutely marvelous.  We have a fellow here with a 41 Chrystler sedan.  The car has 32k miles and is original.  He is the second owner and the dash is intact. Car was stored inside all its years so no sun exposure. Car  was owned by the pastor of one of the local churches.   His has a similar pattern to your's, but it is red in color,  with the high lights in cream.  The car is white with the highlander plaid in red.  I posted some pics of it here a few years back. Don't know if they are still searchable.

Edited July 30 by greg g