Car Things that are no longer Cars

"Patrick Nichols" (pnichols)
11/03/2015 at 15:09 • Filed to: None

So !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! inspired me to scour my local craigslist to add on to the long list of non automotive project parts I have.

I’m a masochist for too many projects, but I found this nice tailgate that will most likely become a trunk/coffee table. I will have to figure out a way to keep the handle’s functionality too. It’ll probably be repainted (maybe plastidip). I’m picking it up after work!

I also found this (not so old) Nissan sign that I think will make a good bar top that could have a layer of resin added to make it flat and complete it with a couple gear lever beer taps? Any thoughts on how I could really flesh out this idea? I’m waiting to hear back but it is just the next town over so I think it’ll be mine too.

I’m also looking for good ideas for old steel wheels or steering wheels?

I’m a huge fan of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and want to create more stuff, some of which is documented !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (27)

TheHondaBro > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 15:27

I need to build my own tailgate coffee table. Maybe Pick N Pull has something I can use.

Justin Hughes > TheHondaBro
11/03/2015 at 15:37

Because I needed a coffee table anyway, when I found one that had (admittedly fake) vintage license plates as the tabletop, I had to snag it. Maybe someday I’ll rivet real license plates on instead.

I never followed through with a dream for my dead Miata engine block - a flower planter. One flower in each cylinder, color coded to the appropriate part of the combustion cycle.

Patrick Nichols > TheHondaBro
11/03/2015 at 15:37

I’ve never been to a pick-a-part/pull-a-part, but I have a feeling I need to soon. I’m sure there is plenty of stuff I could use.

What brand are you looking for? I didn’t have too much preference but I pulled the trigger on the VW because I have an 08 rabbit and thought it was cool. I probably would’ve still gone for an old toyota, ford, or chevy, but a newer Ram or lincoln could be cool too if done right.

TheHondaBro > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 15:40

As long as it’s from an older car, I’m happy.

Patrick Nichols > Justin Hughes
11/03/2015 at 15:43

Eh annuals are a pain in the ass anyways, what could be cool would be bonsai! (Bonsai are also a pain in the ass...)

crowmolly > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 15:46

Kinja'd!!!

Patrick Nichols > crowmolly
11/03/2015 at 15:50

I forgot about that one, but I’m not a big fan of wine... and I might have to look at mack truck blocks to fit makers mark bottles...

Patrick Nichols > TheHondaBro
11/03/2015 at 15:53

Chevy seems to be popular in my area ...

XJDano > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 16:04

I have that Last one, if you don't want a glass top pick the $40 one. The one I have isn't actually flat so I'm putting a glass top on it.

GTI Sprinks > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 16:06

To make the nissan sign to a good bar top, it’s a pretty simple project.

You’re going to want some clear polyurethane (or epoxy, either should work). Because it looks like plastic, i’d say you might also want some bulldog adhesion promoter as well.

You’re going to want to build a wall up around the outside of the sign that will be the outermost edge of your table. This can be removable or fixed in place for permanent edge. (Think wood trim coffee table versus transparent edge). Obviously, if permanent, do the necessary work to that wood first (sand, stain, etc). I’d say minimize how thick the layer of epoxy is as this minimizes total volume needed and cuts down on weight and cure time. Wood is probably not a bad idea as this will stiffen up the sign which will be good for bartop.

With that wall in place, it should be as easy as mix your poly/epoxy together and pour. Go slow. To minimize air entrapment pour a thin ribbon over centralized spots and allow the resin to fill your mold as necessary. That could take a while. Because of the design, you may have to pick a few points and bring them to level before putting a layer over the lettering.

Hopefully whatever resin you have is low viscosity and air bubbles will naturally want to drift to the top.

Allow plenty of time to cure and off-gas. When it’s fully cured, i’d say get to polishing with heavier grits to remove uneven areas and then stepping up in grit count until it’s smooth as glass.

Ain’t entirely easy, but it could be awesome.

Patrick Nichols > XJDano
11/03/2015 at 16:09

I’m getting the VW one picture up top and I will probably fill with resin to keep it clear while protecting the paint (once I fix that too)

Patrick Nichols > GTI Sprinks
11/03/2015 at 16:14

Thanks for the tips and yeah I have a feeling it will be a lot of resin since the sign is roughly 13’x3’...

Because it is plastic I think I’ll make a nice sturdy stand from wood, frame it out, and stain then do the epoxy as you suggested.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 16:17

I was looking for a Volkswagen tailgate for almost a year. So jelly.

Ended up buying this one though.

Kinja'd!!!

-this space for rent- > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 16:26

Kinja'd!!!

Audi dealership sign + rope lights = magical garage experience

GTI Sprinks > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 16:26

Useful conversion units: 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches.
At current length, with a 1” thickness (perfect rectangular prism fill) that’d be about 25 gallons necessary (5616 ci). It’s gonna be a pricey build, that’s for sure. I’m seeing ~$150 for 5 gallon kits. Just a heads up.

Patrick Nichols > -this space for rent-
11/03/2015 at 16:28

That looks awesome. Did you make it? How cheap are lights like that?

Patrick Nichols > GTI Sprinks
11/03/2015 at 16:30

Woof. I might be looking at another option then haha, but I’ll figure something out. Maybe raise up the trim and do a plexi glass top.

XJDano > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 18:11

Here is the tag for my project. I can’t believe I have not worked on it since July.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/tailgate-t…

See also: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/engine-tab… for more I completed projects.

I also have a wood spool like in that link I haven't started on.

Frenchlicker > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 19:16

I still want a V12 coffee table. One day I will find one that someone yanked out of an old jag and do that. Maybe some cushy car seats turned into home seats.

-this space for rent- > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 19:18

The white part is wood, had to make a jig and do much pondering on how to cut the rings out. Rope lights are standard Walmart stuff, like $15-$20.

DasWauto > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 20:38

For the bar top it’s probably most economical to go with a plexiglass or acrylic top. I’d build a wood box around the sign, with a recessed edgs for the glass/acrylic. It’d look a bit like a showcase.

As for the steelie and steering wheel, make a side table or nightstand. Use the wheel as a base, put a piece of glass on the rim of the steering wheel and build a metal leg to hold that up from the lug nut holes.

GTI Sprinks > Patrick Nichols
11/03/2015 at 22:00

Alternatively, I’d go with acrylic/plexiglass and lay it over top with some metal spacers and counter sunk bolts.

Patrick Nichols > Frenchlicker
11/04/2015 at 09:27

v12 Jag table coupled with a pair of Volvo seats or couch would be awesome.

Patrick Nichols > GTI Sprinks
11/04/2015 at 09:29

Good idea, that may help to support the middle to and reduce any flex if there is a proper subframe.

Patrick Nichols > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
11/04/2015 at 09:47

What did you end up doing with it? I love the look that has.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Patrick Nichols
11/04/2015 at 10:14

Sanded back and repainted to letters and left the rest as is. Still need to clearcoat it and then go finish the actual table.

Patrick Nichols > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
11/04/2015 at 10:41

What color on the letters? White?

Do you plan on putting a clear top on it or leaving it as is as far as the table goes?