Custom Tonneau
#1
07-06-2008 | 11:36 AM
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From: Indiana
#5
07-06-2008 | 02:38 PM
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RE: Custom Tonneau
well, I am thinking that its possible, but I have worked with a lot of fiberglass...
Step one: go to home depot and get some 3 inch by 4 foot blue foam. Enough to make a 5 inch foam top over the entire bed.(used for insulation maybe?)
Also get some aluminum "chicken fence" this will add some structural integrity to the cover.
Off to an autoparts store or marine supply place for resin and fiberglass matt... lots of it.
Step two: get out your handy sanding block and sand paper (80 grit will work good) and start shaping your "cover" out of the foam, keep in mind that the fiberglass will add to the size, so make it slightly smaller than what you want the end product to be.
Step Three: after you get the blue cover ready, soak a protion with resin and start laying down a layer of fiberglass matt. you will want to do 1 full layer on the cover before moving on.
After you get a full layer of glass down, lay the "chicken wire" down and repeat the fiberglassing.
You will want atleast 4 layers on top of the chicken wire. (5 total)
now you will have to smooth it all out. So get sanding.
Any low spots are going to have to be filled with bondo or some other body filler. I wouldnt suggest you use kitty hair for it. (fiberglass reinforced body filler)
after you get it all perfectly smooth and ready for paint, get a good fiberglass sealer from a marine supply place or auto parts place.
then its as easy as prime paint and clear...
you have to figure out the way to mount it in the truck though.
total cost... I am guessing around 200 bucks. maybe less depending on how much resin and glass you waste.
Step one: go to home depot and get some 3 inch by 4 foot blue foam. Enough to make a 5 inch foam top over the entire bed.(used for insulation maybe?)
Also get some aluminum "chicken fence" this will add some structural integrity to the cover.
Off to an autoparts store or marine supply place for resin and fiberglass matt... lots of it.
Step two: get out your handy sanding block and sand paper (80 grit will work good) and start shaping your "cover" out of the foam, keep in mind that the fiberglass will add to the size, so make it slightly smaller than what you want the end product to be.
Step Three: after you get the blue cover ready, soak a protion with resin and start laying down a layer of fiberglass matt. you will want to do 1 full layer on the cover before moving on.
After you get a full layer of glass down, lay the "chicken wire" down and repeat the fiberglassing.
You will want atleast 4 layers on top of the chicken wire. (5 total)
now you will have to smooth it all out. So get sanding.
Any low spots are going to have to be filled with bondo or some other body filler. I wouldnt suggest you use kitty hair for it. (fiberglass reinforced body filler)
after you get it all perfectly smooth and ready for paint, get a good fiberglass sealer from a marine supply place or auto parts place.
then its as easy as prime paint and clear...
you have to figure out the way to mount it in the truck though.
total cost... I am guessing around 200 bucks. maybe less depending on how much resin and glass you waste.
#6
07-06-2008 | 02:44 PM
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From: Indiana
RE: Custom Tonneau
Hmmm...sounding good. Not experienced with fiberglassed so I'm sure I'd end up fiberglassing myself to something. But I was thinking that 4 "L" shaped pieces of steel mounted to the top inside of the bed (ensuring that it's flush), lip facing inwards towards the center of the bed (as to be able to rest the top on it). Simple hinges at the top and gas struts (from junkyard even) at the bottom. You could even take the whole rotating strut fastener (from a hood or something). So that when you lift the bottom of the cover the struts will starting raising up and take over. I like your fiberglass idea. This way you could paint it, or have it painted. It would look very professional in my opinion.
Let me see what I can work out on microsoft paint real quick.
Let me see what I can work out on microsoft paint real quick.
#7
07-06-2008 | 03:21 PM
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From: Indiana
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#8
07-06-2008 | 04:19 PM
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#10
07-06-2008 | 04:44 PM
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From: Indiana
RE: Custom Tonneau
I def dont' have $1100 to spend on one. I'm balling on budget, that's why I prefer to do things myself. Plus i get more satisfaction out of it and can do a lot more to it at once. I'm thinkin about going all black and yellow and naming it the Super-Sting...dumb name? Watcha guys think?