Making Fiberglass

[Whatever6060]

I know some people on this sight have been making fiberglass pieces, and I was wondering if anyone knew what the materials/process are to actaully make fiberglass.

[davipu]

to do what?

[Whatever6060]

I was thinking about making some kind of cover for the rear end of the seat.  Something that can be taken on and off.  

Not trying to get into the solo seat or hugger buisness, just wanted to try it out for my own bike.

[davipu]

ok then, go to home depot and get a can of spray foam insulation.
go to the grocery store and get a roll of saran wrap
and go to auto zone and pick up a fiberglass kit, there are directions on the box.

use the saran wrap on the bike to protect the paint/ seat.
and use the foam to make a mold in the right shape that you want, and then lay the glass over it.

[Whatever6060]

Thanks bro I appreciate it.

[TarzanBoy]

Do you *have* to use spray foam?  What about other kinds of foam that you can dremel, saw, or sand down to fit the shape you want?

Also, how good a glass piece will a 'homemade' glass kit like the one you are talking about produce?  will it be smooth? glossy?

[Jake D]

I've thought about this a lot but never tried it.  There should be plenty of good materials to use.  Hard white styrofoam would be good that you could shape and sand, etc.  But once the master is made, you could churn them out.  There are plenty of people here that would be one (including me).

[davipu]

nope aslong as you can sand it you can pretty much use any kind of foam/wood/metal.  one thing I forgot if you don't want the foam to be a premanate part of the piece after you shape/sand it to whare you want it, use some car wax as a release agent to get it to let go after it dries.   as far as it being smooth, that's all in the mold, and how you sanded it.  and is partialy why i recomend the spray stuff, because if you mess it up, you just add another layer and start the shaping over.  if you want a good high gloss finish you will need to use a body filler and sand it smooth before you paint it.  otherwise you will see the fibers.

[dbarile]

Cool:

I was gonna post about fiberglass because I want to see about making a few things for the bike. Now someone else has done it for me! ESP?

I expect you need a well ventilated area to work in?

[davipu]

yep.

[natedawg120]

you don't need one but, but your brain will thank you if you do have a well ventilated area  :lol:  :lol:

[dbarile]

You're assuming I have some brain left to damage.

Thank you.

I thought I saw a guy use plywood one time to make his form with.

[scottpA_GS]

Just wanted to try out my new weaponry






Sweet....

[OOde]

If you use really cheap foam, make sure you use real epoxy (west systems etc) not Polyester resin, otherwise all you'll have is a big blob of melted/hardend stuff on your hands.

Building foam works good for sheet kind of stuff.

The finish is all up to you.  If you lay the glass in carefully and smoooooth it down, then do a finish coat (with wax in it) it can be close to perfect, If you get sloppy, you'll probably be tempted to try again.

you can cut and trim the glass easiest when it is "green" or just a little bit after it hardens (not gells but hardens) 30 minutes to and hour.  You can easily cut with a standard util knife and shape with stanely scraper thingie (highly technical term, I know:-).  

To get a nice glossy finish put some Carbuna (sp??) wax in the mix, the wax rises to the surface after you pour the finish coat on the piece and provides a good hard smooth outer coating (epoxy and resin are both technically anerobic cure materials, i.e. no oxygen) that can be wetsanded.

for more info, you can search on a dozen sites (at least) about building your own surf/windsurf board.

Good luck, and be sure to take lots of pictures (to post)!!!

[jiggersplat]

i've heard other people suggest using a layer of dacron cloth as your final exposed material.  there is also fiberclass "cat hair" and filler you can use like body putty to put on as a final coat, then sand.  make sure you wear a respirator when sanding.