Want to learn to work with fiberglass

**Bloodlust182** · 07-27-2012, 01:15 PM

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** · 07-27-2012, 01:46 PM

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** · 07-27-2012, 02:11 PM

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

**J_Parker** · 07-27-2012, 02:14 PM

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** · 07-27-2012, 11:54 PM

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

**Ange** · 07-28-2012, 10:41 AM

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** · 07-28-2012, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by 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..

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** · 07-29-2012, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by 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..

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.