Fibreglassing, and fibreglass resistant something

OED666 · 10-06-2007, 02:27 PM

well, i am keen to have a go at making my own airbox out of fibreglass. i am aware of all the dangers of working with it, but my question is...

is there a product that is resistant to the fibreglass resin. i want to make a shielded off section where my old airbox used to live. If there was something that i could put down over my guard as a barrier and then fibreglass over.

any suggestions???

Falcon_Phill · 10-06-2007, 02:30 PM

What are the dangers of working with it?

DOC · 10-06-2007, 02:32 PM

I think you would work the other way in a sense, by making the mould then say sticking a thin layer of rubber to the underside of the mould to sit snug into the bay.

OED666 · 10-06-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon_Phill

What are the dangers of working with it?

Mainly health dangers. You need a well ventlated area, breathing masks and eye protection. avoid getting resin etc on you skin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

I think you would work the other way in a sense, by making the mould then say sticking a thin layer of rubber to the underside of the mould to sit snug into the bay.

Well, i was thinking... getting 2 ply timber, and cutting to make the walls of the intake. and then lining guard with thick plastic. then line the timber with plastic and then fibreglass that. i was thinking the plastic would need to be a little thicker than drop sheeting used for painting. you could maybe use a heat gun to get the plastic sheeting to mould a little better?

am i sort of on the right path?

Falcon_Phill · 10-06-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OED666

Mainly health dangers. You need a well ventlated area, breathing masks and eye protection. avoid getting resin etc on you skin.

Are you serious? I used to sit in a little room for days breathing that stuff in, with no gloves or eye protection. I know it stinks like hell but it didnt really bother me. wow.

XRated · 10-06-2007, 07:57 PM

Phill not everyone is a pro with fibreglass or anything for that matter. He's just being cautious and asking questions. 'Better safe than sorry...'

OED, you just need to line the area where you want to 'glass with masking tape, just make sure the area is well covered. Do a search on the 'net and you will find a stack of tutorials on fibreglassing.

I've done some home fibreglassing, and honestly, it's not too bad to work with. I only wore gloves (got a bulk pack) and was careful using the stuff. Just be careful with cutting it up because it seems to end up everywhere, so choose an isolated area.

Falcon_Phill · 10-06-2007, 08:00 PM

Actually as sarcastic as it sounds reading back, I was being serious.

TheSneakiness · 10-06-2007, 08:02 PM

Just make sure you got gloves on, cause fibreglass is itchy as all hell...

BPXR6T · 10-06-2007, 08:09 PM

I've done a bit of fibre glassing. In a previous life I made fibreglass downlights and copped lung fulls of the crap everyday. Nothing like glass boogers. Wear a mask, glasses, and rubber gloves. I've also redone the interior on a couple of boats and repaired boat hulls. All just amateur stuff.

I remember seeing someone laying glass in a mould once. They dusted it with white powder before they started. I assumed it was to stop it sticking to the mould. What is that stuff? I would love to make a glass bonnet using an old bonnet as a mould maybe.

LUXO_8 · 10-06-2007, 08:14 PM

i need to do a custom stereo surround for my car as ive got the TV and headunit, so i need to make up a 2din surround...

watching this thread closely for pointers

**Captain Stubing** · 10-06-2007, 08:30 PM

I've been looking at using plaster to make a mould for fibreglass wings for R/C planes.

I was thinking about using silicone spray to stop the resin from sticking?

A mould could be made using plaster. There are different types of casting plaster available, yellowstone is one that I've used. I think dentists use this for making moulds to make false teeth. It's very fine, and can show fine detail.

Skooter · 10-06-2007, 09:11 PM

ON t.v I saw people using a release agent, its was like a thick white liquid. That's all I know lol.

bob^ · 10-06-2007, 09:27 PM

When you put masking tape down on the surface you wish to glass over, spray it with a bit of tire shine to act as a cheap mold release. I keep forgetting to do that, and it makes it a bit difficult to remove off the surface.

OED666 · 10-06-2007, 09:40 PM

awesome tips guys.

now, how do i go about the colour? do you paint it after your finished? is it hard to get a smooth, shiny finish

Gammaboy · 10-06-2007, 09:40 PM

PVA. Lay down a good layer of PVA (same as Aquadhere) and lay the glass onto it after it dries. It's often used as a release agent (sprayed on with a gun) because if it's difficult to release due to the shape you can "float" the part off by disolving the PVA with water.
Mould Release wax is also commonly used, it looks and applies like automotive wax. I think most fiberglass suppliers stock it (FGI certainly do). It's amazing what you pick up technique wise waiting around in a fiberglass factory while pre-preg composite parts bake...
Another trick is to build a mock up out of carboard and apply the glass directly to the cardboard. Once it's set, you just soak it in water and scrape the cardboard out. Another trick is to make a mock up out of polystyrene foam and disolve it out after with petrol (doesn't work with polyeter resin, it disolves the foam straight up)

EDXRSW · 10-06-2007, 09:46 PM

Guys the best way is to make a "plug" of the shape you want to make then make a fibreglass mould of that shape and then use the mould to make your part.you use release agent so the mould and the part do not stick up and then your done.sounds easy but take it from someone who does it for a living it is a long a sometimes frustrating process.we wear gloves but thats about it , you get used to the smell but it does get itchy sometimes.for the airbox if you just want a flat sheet of glass to shield a snorkle you can use a piece of laminat or glass to lay it up on.
hope this helps.