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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: dyran on May 15, 2005, 10:13:32 AM

Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: dyran on May 15, 2005, 10:13:32 AM
I'm going to go buy the foam for my molds and then if all goes well with the shaping and such I'll go buy fiberglass and make some sweet fairings!
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: dgyver on May 15, 2005, 10:44:15 AM
Good luck.  :cheers:
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Groggg on May 15, 2005, 11:26:04 AM
SUPER!!!!! interested on how to make your own fairings.

I would consider it if it was a cheap project to start, care to give some info about it.

Thanks Groggg!
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: davipu on May 15, 2005, 12:03:47 PM
it's somewhat expensive, very time consuming, and you itch forever. never mind that fiberglass dust is worse than smoking on your lungs.  on that note, have fun.
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: DarkCyDE on May 15, 2005, 12:27:59 PM
Still a great project Idea. And the kewl part is you will have made it yourself. Take some pics along the way. would love to see the process you go threw.

Mike
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: dyran on May 15, 2005, 08:07:17 PM
It won't be anyworse than fiberglass board stuff or a fiberglass canoe, will take pictures along the way and if it works well I'll pass on my knowledge. Well it's off to bed now for me.
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: davipu on May 15, 2005, 11:27:01 PM
yep, it won't be any worse..... got my farings done yet?
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Blazinjr on May 16, 2005, 06:02:59 AM
You ought to try working at a factory that makes the raw fiberglass.  After awhile the itching goes away, masking tape to wad up and tap to collect the fibers off of you and a handy set of tweezers.

8 years and counting but my father has worked there for around 32 years.
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: dgyver on May 16, 2005, 07:10:03 AM
Yeah, splinters suck! I am always pulling out carbon fiber splinters. Dang things are like little needles. At least they are black and easy to see.
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Blazinjr on May 16, 2005, 09:08:53 AM
Quote from: dgyverYeah, splinters suck! I am always pulling out carbon fiber splinters. Dang things are like little needles. At least they are black and easy to see.

We melt the glass and actually make/spin the woven fiberglass.

So how would you like to did out clear splinters? :mrgreen:
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: dgyver on May 16, 2005, 09:19:06 AM
Quote from: BlazinjrSo how would you like to did out clear splinters? :mrgreen:

No thank you, I will stay with the carbon ones.  ;)
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Altruism111 on May 16, 2005, 09:31:26 AM
Got fiberglass?

:lol:
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: GeeP on May 16, 2005, 10:47:13 AM
Yeah, don't wash your work clothes in the same load as your regular clothes.  After a while (read years of working with it) you don't notice it so much.  ALWAYS wear gloves when working with chopped strand mat.  It has a polyester sizing which groups the fibers together - Perfectly clear needles.  Woven fabrics under about 12-14 oz/yd. aren't bad though.  Heavy rovings are just as bad as mat at producing needles, but aren't as common.

Feel free to ask questions.

Have fun!   :thumb:
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: dyran on May 16, 2005, 02:24:51 PM
Thanks, I will
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Blazinjr on May 16, 2005, 07:20:56 PM
We have no polyester material in our fiberglass.  

Our glass is made from melting the leftover/scrap material or cullet from Phillips or Slyvania light bulbs.
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Rema1000 on May 16, 2005, 07:39:12 PM
I've done a couple small boats with "stitch and glue", and haven't had a problem with itching.  The fiberglass cloth is just cloth; the fibers are too long to cause trouble.  After draping glass over the hull and rolling out with epoxy, I wait until the epoxy is "green", then trim the edges with a razor.

From the point where I wet out the epoxy, until I start with varnish, I'm wearing latex gloves, a raincoat (*) and a hat.  Anything involving sanding calls for a respirator and sometimes goggles.    All the gear, all the time!


(*) I sweat so much inside the latex gloves, that I have to tape the wrists shut to the raincoat.  Otherwise, if I hold my hand up, sweat runs out and drips off my elbow.  Just think of it as a spa sauna, without the membership fees ;)
Title: Starting to make fairing's today!
Post by: Briggs on May 17, 2005, 08:56:12 AM
Hey DarkCyDE, I would love to see some more pics of your tail. Looks good in the avatar.