Section one: The screen

I started this work about 3 months ago, I have now got the screen fully installed.

The screen I bought came with a surround, all I had to do was hack up my old sterio surround and join the two together:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/449/080907135200yo9.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/690/080907135301ij1.jpg

Next came a few layers of car body filler, sanding, filler, sanding, filler, spray primer, sanding, it went on like this for a few weeks.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4364/081307212100lr1.jpg
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3888/081107143000gx6.jpg
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/7858/080907220500gj2.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1654/080907220601xh7.jpg
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5661/081507231000vn6.jpg

I then started to paint and sand, and paint, and sand, and you get the picture

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1694/081707162301dn1.jpg

Then a nice glossy finish, no clear coat.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/125/081707142501zv6.jpg

And then after some modifications to the second gen dash supports the whole lot fitted together nicely.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7613/081907115900lr2.jpg

(I'll post a computer update soon.)

just one question, that black that you've painted the thing, is that looking simlar to the piano black stuff in the commodores?

if so, how did you get it like that. just keep applying paint and sanding or...

Good to see, what are you using as the PC?

just one question, that black that you've painted the thing, is that looking simlar to the piano black stuff in the commodores?

if so, how did you get it like that. just keep applying paint and sanding or...

Piano black, that's what it's like.

To get the smooth finish I used auto paint, first I would lay down a few coats and get everything totally smooth by sanding, then I would lay down some THICK coats and then let dry for a day or two. If I didn't get that Finnish I would do it all over.

For the computer I am using a P3 1GHZ, soon to be 1.2GHZ. It runs everything fine, also the BIOS can be set to start up when power is turned on, very handy.

Piano black, that's what it's like.

To get the smooth finish I used auto paint, first I would lay down a few coats and get everything totally smooth by sanding, then I would lay down some THICK coats and then let dry for a day or two. If I didn't get that Finnish I would do it all over.
excellent, thanks bud. this will match my interior plans to a T.

I went through two cans of paint (primer and black) just to get this thing perfect.

Don;t skimp on the paint though, make sure you get a glossy black from duplicolour.

I went through two cans of paint (primer and black) just to get this thing perfect.

Don;t skimp on the paint though, make sure you get a glossy black from duplicolour.

will do. I'm going to try something a bit different though. it's a long shot, but its worked before and I managed to acheive a deep shine black.

lay down three thick coats of black, then sand it smooth, one light layer of black, clear, then black then clear clear clear clear. lol.

Piano black, that's what it's like.

To get the smooth finish I used auto paint, first I would lay down a few coats and get everything totally smooth by sanding, then I would lay down some THICK coats and then let dry for a day or two. If I didn't get that Finnish I would do it all over.

For the computer I am using a P3 1GHZ, soon to be 1.2GHZ. It runs everything fine, also the BIOS can be set to start up when power is turned on, very handy.


1.2ghz :S what socket? 478? 360? (i forget) I might have something a bit faster you can chuck on the board, i'll look around..

Oh and sure you can set the bios to power on when the power returns but you can't get it to soft-off once the power's gone! (unless you had a UPS)

1.2ghz :S what socket? 478? 360? (i forget) I might have something a bit faster you can chuck on the board, i'll look around..

Oh and sure you can set the bios to power on when the power returns but you can't get it to soft-off once the power's gone! (unless you had a UPS)

It does nothing but play music, I don't think powering it off is going to have any ill effect. If it does have ill effect, I don't care, I can just re-install everything.

(I'll find out that socket for you)

(I'll find out that socket for you)

If its a P3 1.2ghz it would be a socket 370 for sure. With your power system, When i had mine i just routed the power swithc from the computer to the front of the car so i could just press it before i got out and the pc would hibernate. The hibernation switches the pc off completely saving everything. Then when you get back in you just press the power button and resume back to where you were.

What OS will you use?

yeah it's 370.

using windows xp, a cut down version.

using centrafuse as the front end.

On mine when I finally install it and get a screen (One day) I'll be using XP Pro so I can use divx etc for dvd rips and the like as well as mp3's through winamp or WMP or something..

Not sure yet.. MiniPE wouldn't be a bad mini xp to use..

Hibernate is a good idea, and i'll be putting a power-on switch somewhere in the centre console.

Fab is looking good so far, looking forward for more updates.

Nice project.
I'm planing also to build one, my problem so far is the power supply.
I found one at Jaycar, do you think this is good enough? Power supply (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=XC4876&CATID=&keywords=computer+power+supply&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=)
My Specs:
VIA C3 PC1500 1GHz GA-PCV2 Mini ITX
512mb DDR
250GB HDD (sata)
DVD/CD ROM

All information regarding car computers, parts, accessories, screens and software can be found at the forum pages of:

www.mp3car.com

this is the ultimate screen, USB Touch complete with USB DVD drive, USB AM/FM radio and 4 channel amp built in.. some of us are on the waiting list and eagerly awaiting its arrival

http://store.pandainnovations.com/Articles.asp?ID=121