Question about serious customization at home...

[Spyke]

I have a 1993 Ford Probe that I blew the engine out of last year. I sank alot of money into the engine to get it running again and I finally have my car back. After I was done I realized that it would have been cheaper to just buy a new Probe but hey, we learn from our mistakes.
No comments about Probes, please. Its not that quick yet but my good friend(majoring in automotive) and myself intend to change that with serious engine work.

Anyway, it has a custom blue paint job with hand painted(by me) matching accents on the inside. There are black/grey graphics which are coming off but still look good. They'll be changed next time I have the paint touched up. I also have a very nice Alpine system in it from the headunit to door speakers to amp/subs.

My friend has agreed to make the engine a project of his if i work on the body/audio/interior.

I'm looking to find a way to mold the dash, such as adding gauge pods. Also, filling in the seperations that come stock in plactic dashes. I'm hoping to do things such as remolding the steering wheel, shifter, gauge pod, etc.

I need a material that will be able to do this. Bondo or plaster of paris is too brittle. The dash is made of this vinyl feeling leathery looking material. Anyone who has a sport import will know what I mean. The material needs to be paintable as well. I have found aplace I can get custom paint type and color matched and it's working well. I'm going to hand paint everything, gauges, seats, dash, everything.

Also, I'm looking for a place to get custom colored lighting kits. I need interior and exterior lights that are a weird light shade of blue.


Anyone who knows anything about materials, lights, or good cloth/vinyl paints please respond or hit me up on PM or AIM. THANKS! Bo.

[eckoman_pdx]

I admit I can't help you with your question, but the honda/acura forum interior/security/stereo forums sometimes has good advice on such things if you don't get a response here. I know you have a Probe, but the vinyl type material you are taking about is the same, and doing what you want to do should be similiar in that regard, whether it's a probe or honda. Also, there's a guy in that forums named zippeay, done a load of custom stuff. I think he works part-time in the field near, but I know he knows his custom interior. He may be able to help you, so maybe ask him. Iknow I am not much help, but I hope some of this info can help you get an answer to your question. I'd be interested in knowing how your projects on the car turn out, let me know. Good Luck!!!