Flocking Awesome!

[MConte05]

So last week I bit the bullet and ordered myself a DIY flocking kit. Planning on flocking the upper part of the dash, and depending on how it turns out, may do the A-pillars as well. I am doing this namely because I love the look of the flocking that is done in Rally cars, to reduce glare (pretty much completely eliminate it), and because I have a lot of time to kill in the next week or two. Plus I said I'd be a guinea pig for Durbin since he wants to flock his dash too, and he wanted me to take lots of pics. So here we go:

I got the mini flocking kit from DonJer.com, as well as ordering an extra applicator tube so that my friend Ron can help me out when we need to flock the entire dash at once, and a second 3oz bag of fibers "just in case". After shipping, it came to about $40. Pretty flocking awesome price if you ask me!

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9563/clockpod001.jpg

As a first test, I am doing my clock pod over the next few days, something small, something I could see how to really flock without screwing up totally. Turns out flocking is incredibly simple! I went ahead and masked off the back portions of the pod where the clock sits since, well, that's what I wanted! I suppose you technically wouldn't have to. Oh yea, the hole in clock pod is where I attach my camera mount to, typically there is a black plug that is put on it that no one ever notices. I put the mount in a box, covered with a torn up garbage bag so that I can collect the extra fibers afterwards:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4062/clockpod004.jpg

After applying a layer of the adhesive (very thin, tarry type glue), I filled up half the applicator tube (as per instructions) and began pumping and twisting to release all the fibers, holding it at a 45 degree angle and excessively covering every corner I could possibly get. You can't apply *too* many fibers, so it's best to just douse it in fibers as you can recollect the excess later on and reuse them:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/692/clockpod007.jpg

Now I wait for 10-12 hours before picking up the clock pod and removing the excess fibers. Then I let it sit for 72+ hours before putting it back in the car. I'll be taking out the dash later tonight and cleaning that up real good to remove any waxes or anything else that may compromise the adhesive. So will be driving around without a dash for about a week. Hope it works out. I'll post some more pictures up later once everything dries, and will keep this thread updated with the progress.

:)

[cszink]

There is a guy that did that in this area, and it turned about pretty sweet!
I flocking love it!

[409industries]

Looks great! No DIY is right, i never posted after i did my dash.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/project_rs/2008-12-22-everything_swap/everything_swap_019.jpg

I documented the whole process but didn't post the pictures for some reason, ill have to go back and do that! Subyspawn did this as well to his STi, came out pretty good! Its fairly inexpensive as well. My flocking coverage is a bit thin in some areas, but its all good. Its a fricken rally car!

[carl]

pretty sure i was one of the first to do it on here and got so many pm's about where i bought my kit that I about went crazy lol (I also bought from donjer)

[snicker]

Awesome post! Me and a couple guys in milwakee are planning to do this soon. Thanks!

[snicker]

What's the difference between rayon and nylon flocking?

[UP2MTNS]

What's the difference between rayon and nylon flocking?

from my understanding, not much, but I think the nylon are supposed to be better for outdoors/UV protection/etc.

my dash:
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/592/1001367bzc.jpg

[MConte05]

I went with Rayon.... simply because I heard that it was softer to the touch than the nylon stuff. I guess we'll see how it holds up to the elements.

[409industries]

I did Nylon.

[Tommy Gun Rally]

So flocking overrated. :D

[MConte05]

Hey! FLOCK YOU! ;)

[Twisted Dragon]

what the flock is going on around here? :shocked: lol

[williaty]

Hey, you flocker, you stole my flocking pun!

[97ScoobyL]

That is really flocking awesome.

[MConte05]

Just got the dash and airbag cover done. Will post pics in a bit. It's hard to get a good picture of what the material really feels and looks like.

[409industries]

Are you a pothead flocker?

[WRXCMM]

I went with Rayon.... simply because I heard that it was softer to the touch than the nylon stuff. I guess we'll see how it holds up to the elements.

I did Nylon.


well there you go, now you both can meet up somewhere and touch each others flocking jobs:FU:

flocking flockers

[MConte05]

Here are some pics of the clock pod and the dash. Both have finished drying, now they are curing.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1936/flocking007.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4643/flocking010.jpg

This stuff doesn't photograph very well, hard to explain what it feels like too. But I can't wait to see how it looks in the car. :)

[me_jimmy]

in the name of DD'ing, what would the passenger airbag think of some extra stuff on top? is it too thin to make a diff?

[MConte05]

I actually have flocked the airbag module separately, so it won't seal up a line on it. However the stuff is thin enough that the force of the airbag won't make a difference I'd say.

[MConte05]

Some other pics I snapped while waiting for it to cure. The other nice thing about this flocking is that I now have been able to remove almost every piece of trim, vent, and duct from the car and have washed it deeply with simple green and water, getting rid of 143,000 miles of dust, grime, spilled soda (somehow which got in EVERY nook and cranny of the car...), etc. etc. So once everything is put back together I should have one sweeeeeeet smelling (and looking) car.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/4261/flocking015.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3906/flocking025.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7250/flocking024.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/890/flocking020.jpg

[mike280]

Looks Flocking nice! :eek:

[rllyrckt]

DAMN that looks really great i cant wait to do this to my rs dash, and im gonna get a lil fancy with it, but youll see what i mean when its done...hahaha i havent even started it yet!!!!

[indkid87]

Awesome post! Me and a couple guys in milwakee are planning to do this soon. Thanks!
Hey let me know if you have any questions I just did this to the Justy

[HeathyVT]

Looks like a better alternative, then leaving my dash dusty. For some reason I think the Legacy has more glare then the imprezas......

looks like a really simple DIY, are the fibers hard to clean up?

[scootfd3s]

thats just flocking awesome.. i really would consider doing this to my dash.. but then it would have to flock the tan doors n everything else.. damn L models. Great job man, looks awesome.

[MConte05]

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2594/wrxinterior009.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/4207/wrxinterior021.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9755/wrxinterior019.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5828/wrxinterior024.jpg



:guitarist:

[97ScoobyL]

Hell Flocking yea!!!

[573]

Looks great! Nice work.

[sfg1mike]

looks good now FLOCK IT ALL!

[rollo]

Wow that really looks excellent. I wonder how it'd stand up to the fine dust we get out in the desert.

[Crystaline109]

that is alot nicer looking than i thought it would be... great job, i love it!

[daywalker007]

looks good now FLOCK IT ALL!

And Line-x the rest of the interior!:headbang:

[UP2MTNS]

Wow that really looks excellent. I wonder how it'd stand up to the fine dust we get out in the desert.

cleans up real nice w/compressed air ......DON'T wipe it....meh.

[Broken Motorsports]

Looks like the Rayon stuff comes out a bit nicer in appearance.

Well done BTW.

We actually do this in house for many rally teams already, but that Rayon looks like it is really soft! hehe.

Keep up the good work.

[scootfd3s]

cleans up real nice w/compressed air ......DON'T wipe it....meh.


how about Hand Vacs?

[thad]

looks like it turned out really well. I'll have to convince my friend to do this when his RS is undergoing its transformation. I've been tempted to do this myself, but I'd always be cleaning it since there's never a time when my dash isn't covered in a fine coat of dust, on the bright side, my dash is tan so it matches, and if i let it build up for a while, the dirt itself reduces glare.

[GmRally95]

It looks sweet and feels sweet but does it stop the glare? Even though you didnt put in on using the static method?

[KevinWelker]

Glare? nothing a fine coating of dust doesn't eliminate.......

[WRBPhxSTi]

I have a dash mat, but I gotta say that looks nice.

[dppaladino]

Flock my life! I need to do this!

[MConte05]

It is still holding up great!

[GmRally95]

Did you read the instructions inside the mini flocker that said something about painting with somekind of latex or something so the adhesive doesnt sock in and create light spots?... Im contemplating if itll actually help.

[GmRally95]

before
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/apebreath01/IMG_6461.jpg

After
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t48/apebreath01/IMG_6610-1.jpg

[Broken Motorsports]

looking good! now just do the tops of the doors and you'll be all good!

[bfrancis827]

Did you read the instructions inside the mini flocker that said something about painting with somekind of latex or something so the adhesive doesnt sock in and create light spots?... Im contemplating if itll actually help.

So did you paint it first?

[UP2MTNS]

So did you paint it first?


you've seen mine.....I didn't paint it.....

[JuniorMint]

how much of the stuff is needed to do a dash? my car is on stands for an indefinete amount of time so I might as well do this

[MConte05]

It can be done with a single mini kit, although I personally bought a second 3 oz bag and a second applicator tube to help speed things up.

[bfrancis827]

touchéyou've seen mine.....I didn't paint it.....

[JuniorMint]

Just ordered a Nylon mini flock kit with an extra 3oz bag. I went with nylon just because on this car I'm more concerned with durability maybe my next project I'll use rayon.

[GmRally95]

I did not paint it... But for anyone else doing this buy more than one applicator and have people help you do it, otherwise you'll run out of time and end up with light spots!

[409industries]

yep, you don't have to paint it first. The fibers are black (and so is the adhesive).

[Ruh Roh 1]

I wanna be part of the "Flocking Awesome" Group!!!

My 97 Legacy L
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg143/gary0681/Legacy/HPIM0360.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg143/gary0681/Legacy/HPIM0354.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg143/gary0681/Legacy/HPIM0353.jpg

Did the A-pillars, too
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg143/gary0681/Legacy/HPIM0351.jpg

[MConte05]

Looking good!

[daywalker007]

Do you have pics of it installed, or did you just do that?

[bone_1113]

wow...i need to do this!

[p4R4d0x]

Some tips from my flocking experience last night...


Use a flashlight!!! Makes it much easier to identify spots you missed with the goop, and spots with lighter fiber coverage if you shine a flashlight all over everything.
Have someone to help you! Doing the larger dash piece itself would have been much harder without a helper. This way, once the adhesive is on enough of the piece, you can start spraying the fibers before the stuff starts to dry too much. I didn't actually have any problems with this, but I might have without help.
When you collect the fibers to reuse, be careful what you pick up with them! There are pieces of my Sheltie's hair that are now permanently a part of my car..
Buy an extra bag of fibers, and an extra flocking tube, if you have an extra set of hands. I went through only 1/4 to 1/2 of the can of adhesive, but about a bag and a half of the fibers (bearing in mind there is still a lot in the box left to be recollected, but you don't really have time to collect the fibers and refill the tubes once you've started flocking). It's entirely possible to do everything with 1 bag, but they're not very expensive, and if you run out halfway through, your dash will look very silly.


[Shameless Member's Journal Plug] You can check out installed pictures later this week in my Member's Journal! (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17428&page=2) [/Shameless Member's Journal Plug]

For now, here's a teaser pic..
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-YX2aBiJ3s8/TJltcozDvQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/No4pR4rPKuc/s912/IMAG0259.jpg

[Tarmac_GR_STI]

Looks great everyone.

Been wanting to flock my dash... for a while, like a few other things. Any manufactures you recommend I buy this flocking... equipment from? I'm not to familiar with this flocking... material or equipment. :D

[MConte05]

I got all my stuff from DonJer, cheap, and works great.

[p4R4d0x]

I got all my stuff from DonJer, cheap, and works great.

+1, also from DonJer

[WAGONLOVE]

i need to do this.. looks awesome! would be nice to cut down on glare too:)

[Tarmac_GR_STI]

Cool, thanks for the reference. I want to do this early next year, I really hope it's as easy as it sounds! So, if I'm understanding right, the most durable one is the nylon? What is the actual difference as far as looks go (in person) from the 2 different types used here?

[UP2MTNS]

Some tips from my flocking experience last night...


Use a flashlight!!! Makes it much easier to identify spots you missed with the goop, and spots with lighter fiber coverage if you shine a flashlight all over everything.

+1 for this....its very easy to miss a spot....either with the paint-on glue, or the actual flocking.

[MConte05]

So thought I would update you guys. I recently got a 3-gauge pod for my new engine setup, and went to flocking it. Turns out the old flock had faded after about 18 months of constant sun exposure (parked outside a LOT). So the brand new flock looks a bit odd.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs033.snc6/166343_545255427803_121201257_31756345_5664463_n.j pg

Right now I am testing out whether it is possible to flock over old flock. I have my old clock pod curing right now. Already can tell I need a lot more adhesive than on a typical plastic surface, but will see how it looks and feels once it cures. If it is all good, probably going to reflock the entire dash again. I need to take it apart anyways to do some serious rewiring..

[Cambo]

"Flock It" it still looks good... so you did all the Flocking for $40? not bad! looks like i know what im doing next. thanks for the great Flocking write up :thumbsup:

[MConte05]

Well the reflock test was VERY successful. :) If anything, it looks better than it did the first time! All I did was simply flock over the existing (faded) flock. Turned out great!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs053.snc6/168298_545317513383_121201257_31757832_699802_n.jp g

I will be taking the dash out again this week and will be reflocking it, this time with Nylon for the better UV resistance.

[williaty]

What was the flocking material the first time and how do you know the nylon will have better UV resistance?

[MConte05]

I used Rayon the first time since I wanted a softer touch. However the DonJer website (www.donjer.com) says that the nylon offers better weather resistance and colorfast, so hopefully will hold up to the UV exposure better. If not, oh well. Will be nice to be in a nice freshly flocked car again. :)

[Gnome]

I'm soooooo doing this if I keep my car longer lol

[EvansWagon]

40bucks!:shocked: this may be happing to my impreza sooner than i thought

[KevinWelker]

Flocked the flocking dash for the '93 rally car last night. Surveyed the work tonight and cleaned up some of the extra fibers. Not horrible, not perfect, but it'll do. I ended up not using the spray gun, cause I didn't have a compressor to work with it, so I tried the "scoop & sprinkle" method. Used an ice cream scoop and tried to get uniform coverage. Results are OK with me. I also did some touch up work on a few bare spots, that came out looking just as good.

pics
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5495700065_37544232bd.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5496291112_9e6668b9d1.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5495700447_ac746846ba.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/5496291492_a169ef85de.jpg