Custom SAFC2 Vent Panel Let Me Know What You Think

[Chadillac2000]

Well ever since I got my SAFC2 I have been looking for a clean way to install it where it would look like it belonged there, I use basically all the stuff on my console such as cupholder, air vents, and I like having the compartment below my headunit to store random stuff, so I finally decided I was going to have to make something custom, even though I liked the idea of putting in the vent panel. So this afternoon I removed the vent panel and saw what was really under there. I ended up custom making a panel out of wood that I am going to soon fiberglass over to make it look like a stock peice, I will be able to funnel the air that once went into both of the vents that is now going into the one but can be turned to hit either the driver or the passenger, personally i just ride with the windows down but in the winter i'll probably need the heat, I was also able to utilize the rear wiper, hazard, and rear defrost buttons, I will fiberglasss this within the next couple of hours and let you guys know when I have the first couple layers on and have filled in the imperfections and the gaps but here is the first draft, looks alot better than some of the other bezels people sell for 50 bucks and I was able to keep the air vents, one question thought does anybody know how to get the custom texture of the black paint on the trim peices opposed to just flat black which wont look stock, thanks guys, but here is the rough draft shot, turned out pretty good IMO

 

[HighPsi92GST]

Nice job, keep us posted, Id like to see how it turns out in the end

 

[Sic95gst]

That looks awesome! now that is a SAFC2 vent holder I would buy! Keep us posted, I wanna see the final product.

 

[WatchItExplode]

one question thought does anybody know how to get the custom texture of the black paint on the trim peices opposed to just flat black which wont look stock

Ah yes, the million dollar question. Anybody pulled this off?

 

[dsm4life]

i really like. I want to put my SAFC up there but dnt want to take the vents away. However i would be willing to let one go

 

[SpooledGSX98]

Thats pretty slick. This is the bezel I picked up...gonna install it this week. I gave up both vents. I dont use my AC that much, but im starting to sense I will use it considering we've already hit 113º within the last week. Like everyone else said, keep us informed, I wanna see the outcome.

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[dave99gst]

Thats pretty slick. This is the bezel I picked up...gonna install it this week. I gave up both vents.

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man that one looks familure.

 

[BigRand]

I like how you relocated the hazard and defrost buttons. Good job fabbing that up. If I were you, Id take some foil Heat tape (found at home depot) and put it on the back of the SAFC2 to protect it from heat, it gets hot anyways.

FYI, you won't need any center vent during the winter. heat rises, so put the air to your feet and it will get ya that way.

AC is a different story. Although living in seatttle and living where it gets to the 100's is a lil different, I find that the side vents and dfrost vents are suffient enough to keep the car cool.

As for paint, I'd make sure you hit that wood with a couple coats of primer, and whatever black paint your going to use, then a couple coats of clear coat. Mabye test it out on a test piece of wood first.

Looks awesome.

 

[Chadillac2000]

Thanks for the feedback guys, and ill be sure to cover up the safc and protect it from the heat, but I just glassed the first coat today and set it in the car now, Ill probably do another coat of fiberglass and then get out all the imperfections with bondo later tonight, then should be ready for paint in the next couple of days, still lookin for some ideas on how I would be able to mimick the stock looking texture, heres the update though...

 

[Max-Eclipse]

nice... looks good

and, to get the same texture, maybe some wrinkle paint @ certain temp? i dunno.. just a thought

 

[Chadillac2000]

yeah that may work ill spray that on another peice of something to see if matches well enough, thanks for the input, the bondo is drying right now, will have more pics up shortly, I might even do a Tech Article on this if enough people are interested

 

[dave99gst]

under-coating works for texture also -- it just take a few days to dry well.

 

[SpooledGSX98]

man that one looks familure.

But mine will be black! Wocka Wocka.

Did you fabricate that BC yourself? Looks good mang.

 

[AdoreGSX]

cant wait to see how this comes out

 

[speedy13]

wow.Now there is a good idea.I say switch your material,like to aluminum and black/plastic sheet metal, and you got yourself a money maker.

 

[jimwross]

Thats pretty slick. This is the bezel I picked up...gonna install it this week. I gave up both vents. I dont use my AC that much, but im starting to sense I will use it considering we've already hit 113º within the last week. Like everyone else said, keep us informed, I wanna see the outcome.

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^^ That's my cars interior heh.

I like the S-AFC Bezel looks good IMO, much less ghetto then having the stand wedged inbetween the cracks...

 

[n0c7]

I remember reading on www.mp3car.com that someone had found a spray that will give you a very similar texture.

 

[a_scobel]

No idea how you guys could give up the vents..the highest it reaches here is only around 75 and I'm constantly using that..

Just wondering though, can you pull that out & hide it? Wouldn't think it would be very wise to leave it in plain view like that.

 

[Chadillac2000]

Yeah thats what I made mine with the vent, right now im still working hard to bondo it all and get the pieces to fit perfectly without any gaps or anything, and I've heard spraying bedliner for trucks gives you the same affect as our stock interior pieces so im going to try that, and as far as the aluminum I think that looks like absolute $hit when somebody has a nice stock looking interior and a big glossy flat black or shiny aluminum piece in one of the panels hopefully mine will come out looking as close to stock as possible with minimal gaps between each peice, ive got most of the buttons perfect

 

[flashoverride]

That piece looks pretty bad-ass.

Any know of a place that does good custom carbon fiber work? I'm re-doing the interior in carbon fiber and having that thing weaved would look sweet. Not to be a biter or anything, but imitation is the sincerest form and all that....

 

[Chadillac2000]

got kinda sidetracked with the project because i couldnt get the holes exactly how i wanted them but now i did, and I also found that one of a kind texture that comes on the stock interior pieces, I did this by getting some truck bedliner and holding the can about a 8-10 inches above the piece and spraying, came out with nearly the same exact texture as the other interior pieces, looks veryyyy good. Also rerouted the air coming out of the vent behind the piece with dryer ducting, and it blows as hard as the two did combined very functional, looks pretty custom and clean imo, let me know what you guys think...

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[boriqueno96]

looks great!! real clean appearance.

 

[silvercoupe97]

That is one hell of a job!!!!
I like the way you did that, it keeps the interior very clean and uncluttered and...you still have a center vent! The paint texture looks very close to the stock texture too. Very functional and looks good.

 

[95WTSI]

wow man that look GREAT!

 

[Chadillac2000]

Sorry the dark pics just dont do this thing justice, here are some out in the sun, ill have more to come at night with everything all lit up

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