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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Fiberglass pros

Posted by: Brett W Sep 15 2004, 07:26 AM

Alright I want to try some fiberglass work. Can I use the factory parts (hoods, doors, bumpers) for molds? I was thinking I could lay the glass over the factory parts and vaccum bag the whole part. Any thoughts?

Posted by: URY914 Sep 15 2004, 07:43 AM

Sure you can do that. Thats how I made my door molds. But the big pieces (hoods) will be a PITA. I wouldn't try it. There are 5-6 people out there making them.

Be prepared to invest in tools, consumeables, glass, resin etc. It helps to have a F/G supplier close by.

Also it can be VERY time consuming. Sanding, buffing, prep work, prime painting, sanding,....

Paul

Posted by: Brett W Sep 15 2004, 07:49 AM

Why would the hoods be more of PITA than say the doors and such?

Posted by: Jeroen Sep 15 2004, 07:57 AM

The hoods are pretty big and fairly flat surfaces
Making a mold that won't warp would take quite a bit of work

You also need to make some reinforcements on the inside of the hood, either by repicating the way the steel hoods are on the inside or come up with a design of yourself

Posted by: URY914 Sep 15 2004, 08:01 AM

The mold for the front hood will be a job.

Posted by: morphenspectra Sep 15 2004, 11:34 AM

im a cetified composites tech.ive built molds for alot of items people see every day.if you are building a one off parts just for you.i say go for it.(i dont recomend the vac bag)but building a mold means you plan on making more of the item that you are casting.building a mold for a one off item is kinda pointless.
glass is only limited by what you can imagin.
alot of work involved in making a mold.and the pay off is how many parts you get out of it.

Posted by: Brett W Sep 15 2004, 01:00 PM

I figured with the vaccum bag would allow me to run fewer layers, creating lighter stronger parts? thus also allowing me to pull down over the factory hood?

Posted by: Quebecer Sep 15 2004, 01:43 PM

I was thinking of molding my own parts as well, but I was thinking of using a plaster and wood mold and do hand lay-up.

Of course a large part like a hood would need re-inforcements, probably balsa wood.

What do you think?

Posted by: andys Sep 15 2004, 01:44 PM

You can do a plaster splash of an exisiting body part for a one-off mold. Keep in mind, that a hood or trunk skin is only half of what is needed. The structural part is the ribbing on the back side where the hinges and latches attach. If it's a race application, then the skin alone will suffice where the part can be fastened in several places.

Andy

Posted by: d914 Sep 15 2004, 02:13 PM

a racer in savannah area is also making race f/g. Don't have all of the prices but front hood at $250 isn't bad. Pic of car is attached. He makes front andback hoods, and a one piece front nose and fender piece. The picture shows it split for handling

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Posted by: d914 Sep 15 2004, 02:18 PM

hood

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Posted by: URY914 Sep 15 2004, 02:19 PM

Actually he is from Jacksonville, Florida.
Can't think of his name right now but it will come to me.

Paul

Posted by: d914 Sep 15 2004, 02:21 PM

rodenroth, or some thing close. Your probably right, I always see him a Roebling.

Posted by: URY914 Sep 15 2004, 02:26 PM

Thats right Rodenroth. You can find him through the Florida Crown Region of PCA.
They have a great website and he's very active. Been president and on the board I think.

Go to PCA.org and follow the links to Florida Crown Region.

Paul

Posted by: d914 Sep 15 2004, 02:28 PM

i've got his e-mail, thats how i got the pics..just hesitated broadcasting it. plus he doesnt like to ship so it would only be good for the SE guys...

Posted by: d914 Sep 15 2004, 02:29 PM

nnnn

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Posted by: maf914 Sep 15 2004, 02:38 PM

That body work looks good. Appears to be pretty clean aero wise, at least to the eyes of this casual observer!

Posted by: bob91403 Sep 15 2004, 03:53 PM

Just buy them from www.rennspd.com. Prices are reasonable, quality is great. They have door skins, too.