Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Plastic Fabrication/Molding

I was wondering if anyone on this site has any background in working with plastic- either fabrication or molding. I recently took out my console and cup holder parts in my 98 Mystique, and I really want to make a new console that comes up around auto gear shift knob and the e-brake, but is relatively low and out of the way everywhere else. As well, I would completely remove the "rear cup holder" and the deep, non-usable well in the back, next to the rear cup holder.

Any advise on plastic working is appreciated, as well as any other alternative material I could use. Thanks!

PM g r y m e s. he is a industrial design student and gave me great advice on where to get molding clay and foam.

Thanks. I'll try to get ahold of him. My dad has some plastic working experience, but he is really not interested in helping me. He just wants me to put the terrible, old console back in. Anyway, thanks again.

contact micah as well. i believe his dad and/or himself are involved in making plastic prosthetics.

Mike, I told you where to get it? I just thought I told you what I used. Anyhow, I will put a list of things you could use and what they could be used for and maybe some places to get them. Then I will shoot you over a PM 98Merc.

chickenhawk made the IMRC covers in CF......a carbon fibre console would be sweeeeeet!!!

He actually might be a better source to get what you are looking. The only experience I have with using plastics is mainly vacuum forming. I would create the form you want out of 'yellow' foam and that figure out the plastic that would work best given the shape and properties of the form. And then you would have to find a vacuum foam machine. I dont think this would be the best way. I would actually suggest the carbon route and you could always finish it how you like. Laying carbon on a foam you created out of something, yellow foam would work, and then applying the epoxy how every that is done might work better. There is much more control doing it this way.

I know the guy that helped design and create rolls rolls. www.rollsrolls.com And I can try to get in touch with him and ask some questions for you if you have any.
Take a look, I am sure they would enjoy the extra traffic.

You could also make a silicon mold, but that could get pricey and maybe not the most practical for what you are doing. How are people creating body kits? There might be an avenue to look into.

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. I really appreciate your help, especially Grymes. I hadn't even thought to talk to the people who are custom making body kits and all that other stuff. I checked out the rolls rolls website... I'm assuming your friend makes all of his own parts for those boards he sells. (please correct me if I'm wrong.) The only question I would have for him is how he molds the carbon fiber. Anyway, thanks a lot for the counciling!

Not a problem. I can only email him but I will do that. He lives in Germany and at the current time he is travelling the US somewhere and I cant get a hold of him.