Shaved Somthing :p

[90civicrider]

I got board today and decided to shave my radio antenna.
I also rewired the antenna into my roof subframe so my radio still works.
Next is the rear winshield wiper, then mouldings, and the list goes on.

It's not 100% done, still need's to be clear coated.
Here's what i have so far. Let me know what you think.

[Tony]

you weld in a piece there?

and how did you rewire the antenna? I might be interested in doing this if you write up a how to for it.

[90civicrider]

Alright Tony, I'll give it a shot.
______________________________________________

Materials Needed
Flat Head screw driver
Phillips Head screw driver
80 grit sand paper
180 grit sand paper
400 grit wetsand paper
Rubber spreaders
Masking tape
Fiberglass body filler (make sure it has the long fiber strands in it)
Bondo
Palm sander



Start by removing the antenna bracket. It's held on by 2 phillips head screws. The bracket has a rubber seal under it, It may be melted onto the car so you'll probably have to wiggle it around a bit to break it loose.

Once it's loose yank it out about 1-2 inch's or untill it wont come out anymore. Right under the base of the antenna there will be a metal piece wraped around the 2 wires going into the antenna, put a flat head screw driver between the wire and the metal piece. Twist the screw driver untill the metal piece breaks. By doing this it will allow the plastic housing to seperate from the wire's / antenna.

Now if you've done everything correctly you will be left with a ugly hole, and a radio antenna without the bracket.
Extend the antenna about 2 inch's, and slid it back into the hole, once you get it in there try and extend it inside the frame of the car, the farther you get it out the better. By doing this you will still have the option of listening to the radio without static.

Now that you have taken care of removing, and relocating your ready to start the fun part.

Start by taping around the area your working in. By doing this you can't accidently drop fiberglass or bondo on other panels on your car.
Take the 80 grit sand paper and put it on your palm sander. Sand the area right down to bare metal. Brush off all the dust after.

Now it's time to pop open the can of Fiberglass Filler. Scoop out a bit of it and add the hardener. Dont add to much hardener or it will dry before your done mixing it together. Using your rubber scraper thing start filling the hole with the mixture. Put lots in and dont worry if it's not smooth. Just pile it in.


Let it dry then start sanding again with the 80 grit paper. Once you have sanded all the hardened fiberglass away (down to bare metal again, exept the hole that will be filled with fiberglass)

Now it's time for the Bondo.
Now why do i need both fiberglass & Bondo ?
Well i did this just because the fiberglass i was using is really hard to work with (because of all the fiberstrands in it). And i did not wanna completly fill the hole with bono because i was scared it would fall out in the future. And fiberglass is just overall stronger.

Mix up the bondo with the hardener. (again not to much hardener or you will kick yourself in the ass). And apply it over the sanded fiberglass filled hole. let it dry. then sand again with 80 grit sandpaper.

****NOTE***** Be careful sanding. you have to keep the conture of the panel or else you will be left with a flat spot where the hole used to be.

Now after you have it shaped and sanded.
Sand again with the 180 grit, followed by the 400 grit wetsand.

Now your done and the hole has been filled.
Prime, Paint, Clear coat and your finished

[gunnmen01]

Sweet, but how do you attach the antenna wire so it doesnt slip down into the A pillar?


gunnmen01

[toontowncivic]

nice job..I want to shave my mouldings but I don't really know how so....
But good job I wanna see it painted.

[marked001]

...so basically your whole car is your antenna now? that's kinda cool.

[slammed89civic]

the first thing i'm going to do once i get another hatch is shave the wing, it looks SIC without one, i did the antenna shave on my sx, turned out pretty good, i'll get pics up later

[gunnmen01]

I wanna see a pic of the hatch with out a rear wing.....that might look cool....


gunnmen01

[90civicrider]

Originally posted by gunnmen01
Sweet, but how do you attach the antenna wire so it doesnt slip down into the A pillar?


gunnmen01

When you pack the hole with the fiberglass filler it'll dry and hold it there no problem.

Here's how it looks now, and will stay like this untill my car get's painted. It's not as obvious as in the pic. The flash kinda changed the color.



AMI you think you could add my How To into the section on the site?

[91EF3ZC]

what you did to the antenna, is not a very good idea. you removed the ground from the antenna, and if the mast touches the chassis of the car your reception will be greatly diminished. the ant. wire is a coax cable like the the cable that goes to your television. the center of the cable is the signal and the outer is the sheild/ground. right now you have absolutly no AM, and your FM is very limited. I would strongly recommend a roof mounted amplified antenna like on the new 2003 civic Si. or you can get an aftermarket glass mounted amplified.

[amy@af]

ahhhh man....i was hoping i was gonna see some pics of shaved legs :silly2:

really though....you need to REMIND ME. i just got your pics up in the photos yesterday.

i have 2 other how-to's i still need to add as it is

[Coolstr85]

i cant really see well in the pic. but ive heard sometimes when u use the bondo/fiberglass without welding then when ur car get hot u can see it in direct sunlight. do u have any problems with that? like is it still show quality or can u see the lines if u are looking for them?

[90civicrider]

I can still see the outline. Not very noticable, and it doesnt bug me.
I'm having the whole car redone in a couple months.

[ci5ic]

That looks really nice Jeff. Good work!

My car is going into the shop this week for some work, shaving the rear wiper and fixing some stuff.