Full boat tail on a Matrix

[alohaspirit]

great progress


ill be following too

[Weather Spotter]

The lights are the easy part. I bought a trailer kit and just hooked them up to my trailer plug.

As for the rear view, I can not tell yet, it has not been out of the garage yet

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

How do the angles of the boat tail look to you?

The top looks like it could have more down slope (which would make the window taller and more useful), and the underside is a bit too steep? The transition on the bottom is a bit too "abrupt", in my opinion. Is ground clearance underneath a concern? I could be off base -- have you compared it to the AeroCivic? It may be pretty close to that...

Don't get me wrong -- I like what you are doing a lot, and I'm sure it will help.

[Weather Spotter]

The bottom transition is a tough one, I have to have the horizontal board for support. That gives me a strait spot then I want to keep the length in check. this forces my hand as to the angle. I also am not good with compound curves.

Are you sure about the top window? from the car to the support arch (where the window starts) is the same angle as my Kammback. Then it slopes down. I was worried that the angle for the back glass was too steep.

Build update:
I slept in (its my birthday so why not). I started the long work of timing in the sides from where the foam stops to where the top window is. I decided to make most if it from the scrap plexi glass (the angles are pre cut from the top ) It took two hours but I have the sides made and the supports painted. This also let me finish up where the fiberglass needed to end.

I started fiberglassing around the side windows and got the rest of the passenger side covered with a first coat. I started on the top (car to window area) and have that 30% done but I am out of hardener for the fiberglass. I have enough resin left to get most of the top with a single coat. It looks like I will need a second gallon of fiberglass another $40 to spend

At this rate it looks like I will not get a test run in tell tomorrow or Thursday. I want to get the edge that touches the car done before I stress test it by driving it. but before I can start on that I want to finish what I can before taking it off from the car.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

I slept in (its my birthday so why not).

I read that too fast. I first thought you were saying " I slept in it ( it's my birthday so why not )."


I agree that purely based on the photos, the angles look a little abrupt at the moment, but I'm sure you plan to smooth things out.

Did you use Plexiglass or Lexan ?

[alohaspirit]

[Weather Spotter]

I used plexi glass. 3/16" was $.035 per sq in. 1/8" lexan was .05 per sq in. $75 was plenty expensive.

The angles are about where they will be. If it does not work I might mod it, but for now it is set.

Well i got everything but the bottom and the areas that touch the car done with one coat of fiberglass. About 1/2 of it has a second (in some places 3) coats on it and should be ready for priming tonight after my birthday dinner out .

I might even start on the car transition area tonight.

[KITT222]

Nice! It sounds like it's almost all together. Happy birthday! What does your family think of you spending all your time on this boat tail?

[Weather Spotter]

Now that I am older birthdays are mostly just another day. Though we did go out for dinner which was nice. We will have more time once my car is drivable. I am hoping that will be Thursday or Friday.

[Weather Spotter]

Day 5

Well I feel like a got a lot of progress done on my Birthday. I got a full coat on all the surfaces except the bottom and the car transition. I also got a second coat on most of these areas as well. I also finished off my first can of resin.

Window areas are ready for the plexi glass to be caulked and attached. Hinges are bought and ready to be applied. I started to prime some of the passenger side then decided I needed to sand first, then apply a third coat of resin. So while the second coat cured up I took the tail off of the car.







side window area ready for the plexi glass (once I prime the area around it and put down a bead of caulk)


Prep for fiberglass on the transition edge:








Upper mount pieces:




As you might tell I am not using the recommended fiber for the fiberglass. I could only find it in 8sqft pieces for $6.50. this would have cost me $40, so I am using fiberglass window screening, 21sqft for $6. At 3 rolls I am only out $18. It is also a lot easier to work with, I cut to size and then use short drywall screws to hold it in place while I add the resin. It takes two coats of resin to completely cover the mesh but it seems to be strong enough.

I also got 3/4 of the passenger side transition covered in one coat of resin. I hope that tomorrow I can get the whole thing with one coat, do a test fit, then apply a second and third coat.

Once that is done, I like the fit, I will prime the transition edges and put on some gasket material. Once that is installed I can put on the back windows screw on the lights and license plate and take it for a test spin One or two days I am thinking.

Any tips for seeing how the flow works? I was thinking wait for s day with light snow then have a brother drive and I can watch from a chase car.