'R0' dome build - 3.9 'Radar Eye - silver detail'

Was in two minds about how best to apply the 'silver' detailing to the radar eye. I found that my small paint brushes had seen better days......so painting was out the window lol. So I got out my silver tape that I had used on R5's lower neck ring. I measured and cut it to width.

I applied the two side grooves first then applied the full length groove.

I decided not to spray the radar eye, as only have gloss clear and I want matt clear.

Test fitting on the dome.

Next is white spray paint.....

'R0' dome build - 3.8 'Radar Eye - matt black'

Lunchtime came and so did more spraying lol.

One matt black radar eye.

I'll clear coat it tonight.

'R0' dome build - 3.7 'Primer spraying of Dome'

Dome lid - shaping the angle
Once the fibre glass had hardened, I used my block plane to remove any high spots etc. I want the surface to be below the angle so that the top coat of filler requires less sanding and shaping. Then I applied filler to the holes and uneven places and once dried, sanded it smooth.

Update:
This morning I took the dome, lid & radar eye into work to spray them up in primer, using my works spray booth/extractor fan unit with rotary table.

Next was the lid.....

I sprayed the underside edge first before turning over to spray the top

The primer shows up area's I've missed and need to touch up. Mainly around the square's where I've smoothed the edges to blend as a radius, and then forgot to PVA seal. Not the end of the world. Also the dome lid, still needs some filler.

Lastly was the radar eye.....

And a group shot lol......

Once dried and area's that need sorting are finished, some lite sanding and then I'll apply some more primer.

'R0' dome build - 3.6 'Skin'

Small update:

I made a start on cleaning up the lower edge filler. Now it has a flat angled face, I can apply filler to the inside under-face channel area.

 Lowe edge filler work, cleaned up and edge made 'sharp'.

Also finished and applied the last square panel.

Rear was grooved again to help the material to flex and bend to the shape of the dome.

'R0' dome build - 3.5 'Radar Eye - side gaps'

There was a slight gap around the outer edges of the radar eye as it doesn't still sit flush to the dome skin. So as I'd seen this done before, I used masking tape to protect the wood dome skin & located the fixing holes.

Next I mixed up some filler (not fibre glass) and liberally applied it to the edges of the radar eye. I then screwed it into place, so that the excess filler would ooze out.

Before the filler dried fully, I scraped away the excess (no picture of this), to make life easier later. Once dried I removed the radar eye and cleaned up the edges.

'R0' dome build - 3.4 'Skin - recessed box no.3'

Did some smooth sanding on the dome skin etc. Now silky smooth, ready for painting.

But first I still need to work on the last rear recessed box.

So I cut out the recessed pieces and started to glue them in place.

This time I cut the recessed pieces as two parts, not four. This was a LOT easier to glue in place.

There's a packing piece of wood to spread the load of the clamps, and this also helped the skin to shape more curved at the opening. I didn't take a pic of the other side, but it looks the same lol.

** Celebration Europe 2016 - New Polo shirt**

With only weeks left before Celebration Europe, I needed to get on the next run of logo'ed up tops from the UK R2 Builders Club.

Big thanks to Giles (Artoojayzero) for sorting these quality items.

Got my name on it like before, so I know who I am ;D

Also picked up these very classy 'gold' UK Builders Club patches.

So if your coming to the event, don't forget to come say hi :)

'R0' dome build - 3.3 'Dome filler'

I wasn't happy with how this edge of the dome skin curved inwards to much. This is where the extra inner support could of been better placed to help the skin's curvature, as the wood just wants to sit flat. So I decided to pack it out with wood & filler. Firstly I used a straight edge to gauge how far out it needed to be extended. Then I glued three scrap pieces of wood in place to fill in the depth.

In the above pic, you can see where I've pencilled in an a max area, as a guide. I then mixed up a small amount and started to apply it to the area.

Once dried I applied more filler, sanded and shaped.

In the second pic you can see that the lower edge is more curved. Feathering the edges of the filler to blend it all in.

Oh and I also glued two more squares in place.

R0' dome build - 3.2 'Dome PVA sealed'

I didn't get the chance to do this before going away the other week, but did, once I had five min's free on my return.
I mixed up normal PVA wood glue in with water and 'painted' it on to the Dome.

 Radar Eye, re-fitted, so I know what work needs doing i.e. gaps to be filled.

Once it's dried I can then sand edges and get it all ready for primer spraying. Still a few more panels left to make. But almost there.....

'R0' dome build - 3.1 'Dome lid'

Started work on the lid angle.

I should of made the lower of the two height discs, a larger diameter. So as to take up space, therefore, using less glass fibre resin. Packed out with scrap wood to a diameter of 140mm. Glued in place, then started with the glass fibre.

Building up in stages as then I can finish off with filler.

It was late, so this was as far as I got.

Wasn't able to do much more over the weekend.