Upon request in my other thread i've started this one to give you an overview on what you need to do your own DIY-flocking. I'll start with some points to avoid any misunderstandings: - I decided to scout the web to understand how flocking works because in Belgium and Holland they charge at a minimum 170 quid for flocking a dashboard. Which is a ridiculous amount of money which I was not willing to pay. I had a guy who did some flocking for me (85 quid for a dash) but he decided to stop so I had no alternative left. - Everything which you’ll find below is the result of google and youtube. - The end result cannot be compared to professional flocking equipment, hence the term DIY. For one thing I cannot buy the shortest of fibres because the company wants a minimum order of 50kg (Home PIN Floc) - flocking a part is applying positively charged fibres which are in a container to the negatively charged part which is glued and being grounded. When the + en – come together they generate an electrostatic field in which the fibres will uniformly dig into the glue. The more powerful the field is, the greater the distance between + en – will be, making it easier to flock. Professional equipment is round about 45 000 volts. My device is set at about 30 000 volts. Some of my endresults:
So with that out of the way, here’s what you’ll need: - Flyback transformer from a CRT-monitor (the bigger the better) - Plastic container with a lid - Metal sieve - Silicone glue - Some electrical wire - Pvc-pipes - Flockfibres, I get them at Home PIN Floc - Glue, I use a single part glue (test with two part epoxy have all failed) Step 1 – flyback transformer Before removing this transformer from a monitor it needs to be properly discharged in order not to get a nasty shot of electricity. For this please check video: Step 2 – converting the flyback to be powered by a socket On the back of the flyback you’ve got lot’s and lot’s of pins. In order to power this by a socket you’ll need to find the + and – pin on the flyback. I know nothing about electricity so I went to my local electronics shop, also a tv-repair shop will also be able to help you with this. Basically they gave me the following schematic (and did the work for me) and that’s what it takes to convert it. So print it out and take it to either one of those shops and they’ll understand it. After that you’ll need to attach some electrical wire on the + and – pin to have the length to connect the positive wire to your container of fibres and the negative wire to the part which you need to ground. Step 3 – flocking device Drill a hole in your plastic container and connect some pvc-pipes to it in order to have a grip or handle. The lid of your container needs to be cut up so you can glue the flat sheet of your sieve to it. Make sure you have a metal sieve which is large enough to cover the lid of your container. Cut your metal sieve up so you end up with the flat sheet which you can then glue onto your lid. Put the positive wire through the pvc pipe and through the hole of the container to be connected to the metal sieve. Make sure you have enough length in order to put the lid next to the container in order to fill the container with fibres. And now you’ve got a flocking device. In this video you can see the process to actually flock a part:
I'd rather not because you can't get any more then DIY then mine In regards to the flyback, the bigger the better. I took mine from a 19inch pc monitor
you cant beat a propper bit of kit,with the CORRECT 4part epoxy glue!! your flock supplier i would say needs changing if he wont sell you small quanties of flock!!! fair play for you efforts tho,and as lighteneing says becarefull,your life aint worth saving couple quid!
If you want to do this with the proper glues it will cost you about £80 for the proper 4 part epoxy adhesive,then about £20 per kilo of flock,plus the parts to bodge up an applicator. Then theres the hassle of finding someone to supply you in small quantities,trust me a lot of suppliers can't be arsed with a bit here and there. Save your self some serious hassle and get it done properly.....by me!
Yeah man, im blinded aaaaalllll the time from dashboard glare. Oh, hang on, it's never happened in my entire life.