Layin' 'glass...

[Bamfster]

So I'm thinking about making some parts out of fiberglass. I've made the templates and such out of cardboard and tape, this is the way I've always done it for sheetmetal/aluminum.

The question is: can I just form the parts with the 'glass using the cardboard templates as the mold? Ultimately leaving the cardboard encased in the fiberglass....

I've never done much with the stuff other than fixing cracks n such in a boat hull, so give me the down n dirty on fiberglass......

[Loren]

The question is: can I just form the parts with the 'glass using the cardboard templates as the mold? Ultimately leaving the cardboard encased in the fiberglass....

Yep. Just remember to use the least resin for the most fiberglass, and holes/soft spots will come back to haunt you later. Rough with fiberglass, fix with a grinder and Mar-Glas, finish with thin bondo.

Oh, and no cardboard sticking out where it'll absorb moisture.

[Bamfster]

.....and is there an ideal amount of layers or is it just however thick I want the piece?

Should different layers be layed in different directions?

[Loren]

A good question...perhaps for a better man than me. I've always guessed that most factory and aftermarket panels were around 1/8" and that would be a good target to go for, but it would be difficult to hit in consistant fashion doing your own. Factory panels such as in Corvettes are "press-molded" between dies and forced into an even thickness, aftermarket stuff is best "hand-laid" against a one-sided mold from woven fabric in 4-6 layers or may be shot in short cut strands from a chopper gun and laid down evenly...both of these by nature criss-cross the fiberglass and are fine, and panels don't seem to need to go much thicker than an eighth inch. The stuff gets heavy and prone to cracking if you go thicker.

Just getting the da#* glass to lay down onto the part has been hard enough for me! Fiberglass is it's own art.

[TheSilverBuick]

I want to hear Keith's opinion on this too.


(I'll be watching this thread cause I'd like to know as well)

[Loren]

x2.

[Bamfster]

He's the first one I thought of when I started this scheme....

[Scott Liggett]

I watched him cut apart and increase the size of the cowl hood on the LSR Camaro all while talking to me. He's a pro.

[dhondagod]

Look on model airplane builders sites/forums. There's alot of info there on fiberglassing, vacume bagging, making molds etc... Plan on reading awhile...


Chris

[DanStokes]

I've done a bit of Corvette repair but am by no means an expert on this one. I know you have to roll the layers carefully to keep air out from between the layers.

Wondering out loud - if you took your mold to a boat manufacturer (we have a bunch of 'em around here) would they lay it up with the chopper gun for a reasonable price? Seems like you might get more professional results for not a lot of money.

Dan