Want to learn to work with fiberglass

[Bloodlust182]

Well im going to be experimenting with fiberglass for some interior panels and work my way up to eventually way down the road making a custom trunk. Ive watched videos on how to layer it and do the resin with the cloth and what not. I assume its just like mixing body filler just less viscous? How much material will i need to do something similar to the size of the door panel? Can fiberglass be applied to a bare surface and stick to it? What all goes into making the surface very smooth and glassy? Its a lot of questions so answer in any format that works for you guys.

[J_Parker]

The best way to learn your way with fiberglass is to just do it, it's something that requires practice. I watched video upon video, but when it came time for me to get working on something I was running around like a clueless moron. Obviously, things like patience and a base of knowledge are key, watch the videos to give you a rough idea of what to be doing, then just go work on some small pieces and work your way up to the bigger things. One tip I can give though, is NEVER use a sheet of glass, shred it up into smaller pieces. This will prevent the chance of air bubbles and make it much easier to work around corners. If you're doing something complex it's usually best to start with something more flexible like fleece, then do the fiberglass over the top of it.

[Bloodlust182]

could i use fiberglass to coat a surface? for example fiberboard panels?

[J_Parker]

You can, however, to make your life a lot easier, I recommend a releasing agent (a thin film of cooking oil works well in a pinch) over thing's that you're planning to coat unless you don't want the glass to separate. For that, just be sure that the piece is free of grease, wax, etc. For smoother surfaces try to scuff them up with sandpaper.

[AgentOblivious]

Are you planning to do one-offs, or are you going to be making a plug -> mold -> multiple pieces?

[Ange]

actually want to learn this aswell.

have been wanting to make a heatshield/kinda semi box of carbon fiber for the airfilter.

guessing carbon fiber is harder to work with than glassfiber though, not to mention more expensive..

[AgentOblivious]

actually want to learn this aswell.

have been wanting to make a heatshield/kinda semi box of carbon fiber for the airfilter.

guessing carbon fiber is harder to work with than glassfiber though, not to mention more expensive.. Your toughest bit will be getting the right resin mix, not the carbon fiber itself. If the temperature surrounding it isn't ever above 50-60 degrees celsius, you could just use regular epoxy resin, otherwise you'd probably have to track down some high heat epoxy. Otherwise, its pretty much the same thing...

[J_Parker]

actually want to learn this aswell.

have been wanting to make a heatshield/kinda semi box of carbon fiber for the airfilter.

guessing carbon fiber is harder to work with than glassfiber though, not to mention more expensive..

The hardest part when working with carbon fibre is actually making it look good in the end, a lot of people have trouble with laying the mat on and keeping the fibres straight in line.

[Bloodlust182]

Well im actually going to be working with CF now. i ordered the cloth and clear resin. Just going to have to see how this goes :rolleyes:.

[Ange]

Well im actually going to be working with CF now. i ordered the cloth and clear resin. Just going to have to see how this goes :rolleyes:.

post pics of progress :p

[Bloodlust182]

will do, but progress will be slow. I work 50 hours a week between 2 jobs. Ill probably start tomorrow as the resin came in today and the CF comes in tomorrow.

[AgentOblivious]

will do, but progress will be slow. I work 50 hours a week between 2 jobs. Ill probably start tomorrow as the resin came in today and the CF comes in tomorrow.

Do you have a clear gelcoat on order too?

[Bloodlust182]

Clear Resin For Carbon Fiber - Fiberglass - Kevlar | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/120955471255?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648#ht_941wt_952)

Thats the resin i bought. Im not sure i will need a gelcoat or not?

Heres the CF

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/480776_4274084490905_2092611891_n.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/562664_4274080050794_1781674728_n.jpg

[Bloodlust182]

Well i started today. Had a spare rear interior panel so this is going to be my test/ first attempt for fiberglass/ CF.

Heres the panel before starting
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/2012-08-03_17-49-40_284.jpg
Heres it without the vinyl
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/2012-08-03_17-52-24_632.jpg
Starting to remove the foam padding. Its a PITA to get off
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/2012-08-03_18-01-31_934.jpg
Vola, almost all foam off. sanded down with 80 grit.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/2012-08-03_19-48-56_363.jpg
First fiberglass attempt.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/2012-08-03_20-59-04_319.jpg

I think I put too much hardener into the resin or the current temps are messing with the mixture. It was the consistency of cold honey/ syrup. Did the job though and hardened up in about 10 mins. Going to try and do a larger batch of resin tomorrow and get the whole panel covered. I only mixed 4 oz for this patch.

[AgentOblivious]

What exactly are you trying to do with the side panel? If you're trying to make a copy you'd be better off using the original as a plug and making a mold.

It also sounds like you've been sold a polyester resin, which is okay but you might want to use epoxy for your carbon fiber parts. Find a good boat building supply shop, they should be able to give you better advice than you'll find here on resin selection. Heck, shoot these guys an email : Epoxy by the Leading Epoxy Manufacturer | WEST SYSTEM Epoxy (http://www.westsystem.com/ss/)

[Bloodlust182]

Im going to cover it with fiberglass/bondo to get a smooth surface then im going to layer CF over the fiberglass and bondo. I have 2 different resins. The stuff i used last night was a 3m kit from homedepot. I already have a gallon of "water clear" resin for layering the CF down.

[AgentOblivious]

Im going to cover it with fiberglass/bondo to get a smooth surface then im going to layer CF over the fiberglass and bondo. I have 2 different resins. The stuff i used last night was a 3m kit from homedepot. I already have a gallon of "water clear" resin for layering the CF down.

Why are you covering it when you can just make a cf or carbon fiber panel and lose the weight?

[Bloodlust182]

Why are you covering it when you can just make a cf or carbon fiber panel and lose the weight?

My car is a SL, im not too concerned with weight or speed really. I just hate how all vinyl panels crack and bubble so this seemed like the best solution.

[n2nsanity]

Interesting project. And nice ride. I like that combination (1g 3k trim with stealth sails and 99 rear garnish). Maybe my next one :)

[Bloodlust182]

Thanks, to me the 1g rear end and 99 garnish were made for each other. Makes the rear end look like a ferrari IMO. The car used to be an ugly stealth ES, but it has come a vvveerrrryyyy long way from when i got it. With these interior panels im just adding another check mark off the list of things i want to do to it.

[Bloodlust182]

Finished up the with covering the panel in fiberglass last night, I stuck my resin in the fridge to increase the work time and it actually worked out very well. It took me 2 batches of resin to complete the rest of the panel. I used larger mats of fiberglass this time just to see how it would work and I think im going to stick to smaller pieces, was a little tough to get the mat to lay correctly. http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll203/bloodlust182/306409_4303446424935_1533322932_n.jpg

[sketch]

what are you using to lay down the resin? a roller?
also, if you're using elmers or 3M resin, toss it out. I went through a bunch of that before i found US composites - that stuff was an absolute dream to work with.

also, the guys over at fiberglassforums.com will have much better advice to give you than we do (though we do want to be kept up-to-date on your progress! it's looking good so far!) that's where i just...researched and researched and researched after my first few failed attempts at glassing.

also, be sure to wear a respirator! this stiff is bad to inhale!

[Bloodlust182]

Ill take a look over there for some more info or tips for my project and see what i can find. Im using a bristle brush i think. I also got a mask from my friends bodyshop for free a while back and it is working pretty good right now.