Fiberglass Supplies

[32_d3gr33s]

I'm looking into making some fiberglass parts (mainly for my car) But i figured there are probably quite a few experts on here. I need to make a mold of my part, and then make the actual part out of fiberglass. Can someone give me a rundown of all the materials i will need to do that. (the fiberglass, resin, molding clay, gelcoat? etc...) and where i might be able to purchase them at? I've watched numerous videos on how to do it, but every one that i watched, they say nothing about what brand they are using etc...
I heard home depot (and similar stores) sell poor quality resin, and i want to be able to make some parts that will hold up. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

 

[RBagdon]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

US Composites is where I have bought from.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

US Composites is where I have bought from.

That looks like a great site!! Any suggestions on what fiberglass to use? I need some for the actual mold, and then also some for the parts themselves. That final parts are for cosmetic purposes only, so i dont need high strength cloth i wouldnt imagine... also what resin should i use for both?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

For Car parts ..all you need is CSM .. Poly or VE at a starter level ..

YD.

 

[RBagdon]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

Any suggestions on what fiberglass to use?

The only resin I have used is the 435 Standard Polyester Layup Resin for boat stringers and floors. Their customer service is very helpful and may be able to suggest which type to use for molds. Sorry I could not be more help. Good luck with your project.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

would anyone be able to make me a shopping list for exactly what i would need?
http://www.uscomposites.com/index.html

I'm not sure what thickness/weight cloth i would need for the mold or the parts, etc...

this is what i intend to duplicate just for practicing purposes, that way someone can give me a general idea of how much of each product i would need...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cb2f407bf

 

[lvl]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

That link says its $2.98 plus $25.00 shipping why not just buy it?

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

That link says its $2.98 plus $25.00 shipping why not just buy it?

If you would have read the above post, in intend to duplicate it for PRACTICE. I already have one. It's a cheap and simple part.. I try and make one from fiberglass, if it turns out good, then I try carbon fiber. If it sucks, I try again or give up

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

Sooooooooooooooo... what OTHER parts are you contemplating making?? Like YD said ALL you need is 435 laminating resin with the hardener and 1.5 oz CSM mat. I suppose you will also need some GelCoat some coloring agent for colors, modeling clay to smooth the corners, wax to serve as a release agent. www.uscomposites.com

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

I'm contemplating making lower door blades for my car ($600) and I think I could do it for less than 1/4 of the price. Should I use the same resin for the mold and the parts? What gelcoat do I need? I see most say wax free but does it matter other than that? All the parts will be painted too if that makes a difference

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

Yep wax free resin, and gelcoat but get some wax for the final coat fo Gel. You REALLY need to do some extensive reading on how to apply Gelcoat and finish it. It is NOT as easy as you might think. You should practice on coating a two by four and see how you come out.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

The routine I used when making glass parts from original plugs (part),

screw the plug to a layup table from underneath, formica counter top is ok.
Seal all around with clay using a small putty knife.
Apply partall wax and polish 6 times. wax the layup table out 6 inches from part too.
Apply tooling resin then start laying up with cloth and poly laminating resin. Build up thickness to 3/8th inch.
Glass wooden reinforcements to the back of the mold before removing from the plug to prevent warping.
Let it cure and cool overnite and pop the mold off.
Examine and repair mold surface or re-do again.
If its good start waxing and polishing half a doz times to build up a wax base.
Spray gelcoat inside mold and when it start to go off start laying up glass and resin.

A scrap car trunk would be ideal to do the part layup on as it has the exact induced curve you need.

Heres the problem, when the part is removed from the mold all you have is an empty shell with no base to attach it to the trunk.
I suspect that part is injection molded.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

Thanks for the step by step. That's very helpful! The part I am copying is just a cheap plastic. I don't plan on actually using the one I make. I just wanted something to practice off. If I did want to attach it though, how would I fill the middle? Couple layers of fabric, expanding foam in the middle, then couple more layers of fabric on the bottom? Or is that not going to work?

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fiberglass Supplies

You could fill it with spray foam, another way would be to make a 2 peice mold but then you'd have to finish the seam joint. That is , lay up 2 halves then join them in the mold, the mold halves would have flanges and be bolted together, getting the seam tape on the inside of the joint is an art but I've seen it done.
You might want to choose a simpler shape to start with, like a hood scoop or similar single part mold.
Something like this, (the orange is tool resin, the black is probably gelcoat. Tooling resin is extremely hard, good for molds or plugs).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOo8gxp3K3w&feature=related