The first strip to install is the center ash trim. A dab of hot melt glue is put onto the green tape between the pencil marks for the center trim. Then the strip is set in place and clamped in place with a hold down block and a spring clamp.
Before I install a strip I hollow out the back side with a curved sanding block.
It creates a shallow cove that helps stabilize the strip against the form. Without the cove the strip can rock on the form.
The cove takes care of that.
The cherry strips are installed after this. The process goes like this:
1. Cut the strip to length
2. Sand the cove into the back side
3. Apply Titebond III along the mating edge of the strip
4. Set the strip on the forms in rough position
5. Put hot melt on a form
6. Clamp a hold down block in place
7. Repeat the hot melt application for the length of the strip
8. Go back and apply clamping pressure to bond the strips together
I use small bungee cords for the first few strips.
The process is repeated for each additional strip.
Eventually I switch to clamps.
The compound curves end up requiring the strips to bow to create a tight seam.
The strips are 1 ½ inches wide and it does require a bit of force to pull the seam tight. The bungees are no longer very useful.
At one point I did play around with sanding the panel. Much more of this will happen later.
Once I get to the last cherry strip I need to taper and fit them to align with the outer ash trip strips.
I can now add the ash trim strip to each side.
At this point I have all the strips for the main layer.
Next up will be trimming the panel to fit the fender curves. Total hours are now about 95.
I really am picking up a lot of tricks Steve. Just the pieces of OSB with the slot to clamp the strips to the forms is clever! I would be using long bar clamps and saying a lot of choice words.
What is the method for installing the panels on the car?
My guess is drywall screws, or velcro 😬
T'would be interesting to hear! I know you are doing major body mods with the back end, but that is all welded up I assume. Can't imagine you would put up with a bunch of screw holes, but then again, carefully place for access from the interior would be very solid.
I'm still working through options for attaching the panels but I've got it narrowed down. The panels will be bonded directly to the car. I've got the adhesive narrowed down to a couple options. It will be a few weeks to figure it out.
Thanks Ron duckmilk - one of my challenges is that the clear epoxy I need to use is not compatible with automotive adhesives. From what I can tell I'll have better luck with marine adhesives. I'll share the details once I learn more.
