Thousands of install techniques can be learned in this section of the automotive customizing hobby. Some are pretty simple, like sliding a new head unit in the dash or building a basic sub enclosure. Just about anybody who can turn a screwdriver can accomplish these tasks. Then there are moderate-level tasks, like building a fiberglass enclosure or vinyl-wrapping a door panel. These projects take time, patience and practice to achieve quality results.
As your expertise level increases, you want to do harder and more complicated projects. Some projects you might see in feature cars here in CA&E or at car shows. But all you can view is the end result, which isn't very helpful for those who want to know how to recreate that look. Molding in objects like remote controls, TVs and other gadgets tends to baffle the uninformed and can be seen as a mystery.
If you've been paying attention to the how-tos in this magazine, you'll probably already know or at least heard of CA glue. Basically its superglue, but not in the little two-squirt tubes you find at the jumbo-mart. The real CA (CyanoAcrylate) is purchased at hobby stores (they all have it) and specialty supply houses. Most hobby stores also sell a spray-on accelerator or activator, which instantly cures CA glues. While most model builders don't use activator, it is a must for our purposes, so buy some (by the way, CA and accelerator last longer if you keep it in the fridge until you need to use it. Let it warm up on its own). CA is the biggest trick you can have in your toolbox; keep lots on hand. Always.
To start off simple, and to make sure you don't ruin an expensive component, try molding a remote into a console or door panel. If you don't have much experience with tools like jigsaws and body filler, try it on something that is readily replaceable or a blank piece of ABS plastic, so if you mess up, it isn't permanent. That said, this technique is really easy to accomplish with a little patience.
To demonstrate the process, we molded a credit card-style remote into the center console of the Ferrari-O project (see April's Ferrari-O stereo install). The keys to a successful molding project are appearance, function and maintenance. You don't want to permanently mold in a remote with no way to change the batteries. Remember practice makes perfect.
The stock center console had an empty hole that needed something to fill it in. We chose to mold in the Kenwood head unit remote control. The remote is smaller than the hole, so an ABS filler plate was needed to fill the space. The size and shape was marked with a pencil. Once trimmed out, the panel fits perfectly. Next, the remote was traced onto the filler plate.