Ducati Monster Forum

Local Clubs => M-ROC => Topic started by: DucHead on December 21, 2008, 06:55:59 AM

Title: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 21, 2008, 06:55:59 AM
Does anyone know how to make small fiberglass parts?  I've seen some things online that suggest that it's not too difficult.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: superjohn on December 21, 2008, 01:10:58 PM
I don't know enough to actually do it. From what I've read and seen in magazines you have to carve out a blank of the part you want, then make a mold off of that and form the part.

Maybe check with one of the car stereo shops. They make custom enclosures and dash panels quite a bit I think.

I'd like to check it out if you try it though.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 22, 2008, 11:40:33 AM
Quote from: superjohn on December 21, 2008, 01:10:58 PM
I don't know enough to actually do it. From what I've read and seen in magazines you have to carve out a blank of the part you want, then make a mold off of that and form the part.

Maybe check with one of the car stereo shops. They make custom enclosures and dash panels quite a bit I think.

I'd like to check it out if you try it though.

Thanks, John.  I might just give it a go.  I found a few videos on youtube.  for the piece that I want to do, it looks like the procedure is to first make a fiberglass mold: wax the piece you want to make a mold of, spray with poly[vinyl alcohol], brush on resin, lay down fiberglass, more resin, more fiberglass...to the desired thickness.  Then repeat the process to make the part.  I'm going to look for a kit over the break.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: Rameses on December 22, 2008, 09:45:18 PM
Quote from: pompetta on December 22, 2008, 11:40:33 AM
Thanks, John.  I might just give it a go.  I found a few videos on youtube.  for the piece that I want to do, it looks like the procedure is to first make a fiberglass mold: wax the piece you want to make a mold of, spray with poly[vinyl alcohol], brush on resin, lay down fiberglass, more resin, more fiberglass...to the desired thickness.  Then repeat the process to make the part.  I'm going to look for a kit over the break.



Yep, that's the procedure.

I've never done it myself, but I've done a good bit of reading on it (and cf layup as well), and talked to some people who've done it.

Sounds like making the plug and mold is the most difficult part.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: Jobu on December 22, 2008, 11:41:50 PM
Are you making a fiberglass mold of your penis for Donna for Christmas?  I don't want anything to do with that.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: superjohn on December 23, 2008, 05:21:50 AM
Quote from: Jobu on December 22, 2008, 11:41:50 PM
Are you making a fiberglass mold of your penis for Donna for Christmas?  I don't want anything to do with that.

Wasn't there a how-to video someone posted a while back on how to do that?
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: ncgt1000 on December 23, 2008, 08:23:45 AM
Quote from: superjohn on December 23, 2008, 05:21:50 AM
Wasn't there a how-to video someone posted a while back on how to do that?

[laugh] I am absolutely sure that I have never even thought of searching for such a video.  [laugh]

Still, an interesting DIY project no matter what D is attempting to make for himself (or whomever)!

Merry Christmas all.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 23, 2008, 09:30:47 AM
Nope, no penis fabrication.  [roll]  What would be the point?  The original is utter perfection.   ;D

Back on topic...I want to make a fiberglass version of my CF "dash."  It needs to be cut down to accommodate the lowered gauges, and I don't want to cut the original item.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: TiAvenger on December 23, 2008, 12:20:40 PM
Quote from: pompetta on December 23, 2008, 09:30:47 AM
Nope, no penis fabrication.  [roll]  What would be the point?  The original is utter perfection.   ;D

Back on topic...I want to make a fiberglass version of my CF "dash."  It needs to be cut down to accommodate the lowered gauges, and I don't want to cut the original item.

Why fiberglass, when you can use cf for a bit more?
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: Rameses on December 23, 2008, 02:23:44 PM
Quote from: superjohn on December 23, 2008, 05:21:50 AM
Wasn't there a how-to video someone posted a while back on how to do that?



You're probably thinking of the video I posted in the funny video thread a while back.

It wasn't a mold/replica project.  It was just a homemade dildo.   [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: superjohn on December 23, 2008, 02:43:31 PM
Quote from: Rameses on December 23, 2008, 02:23:44 PM


You're probably thinking of the video I posted in the funny video thread a while back.

It wasn't a mold/replica project.  It was just a homemade dildo.   [thumbsup]

Oh yeah!!! That's the one.  [laugh]
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 23, 2008, 07:11:51 PM
Quote from: Court-Jester on December 23, 2008, 12:20:40 PM
Why fiberglass, when you can use cf for a bit more?

I guess I could, but chopped mat is pretty cheap, and the part I have in mind is ornamental.  That, and I want it black, not CF.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 23, 2008, 07:18:17 PM
It appears that the most popular release agent is an aqueous solution of poly[vinyl alcohol] which is sprayed onto the mold and let to dry.

Does anyone (Rameses) know what weight percent solution is used?

Boy, finding small quantities of materials is a PITA.  I'm going to try the boat place near my house.  It also appears that I could buy a fiberglass repair kit (mat + resin) at Ace Hardware, and purchase release agent separately.

For the mold, I'm going to:
(1) shape a piece of modeling clay,
(2) lay cellophane over it,
(3) press the CF piece into the clay,
(4) remove the piece and the cellophane

then apply release agent, and lay up the fiberglass.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: Rameses on December 26, 2008, 10:35:04 PM
Quote from: pompetta on December 23, 2008, 07:18:17 PM

Does anyone (Rameses) know what weight percent solution is used?




No idea.

Sorry man.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 27, 2008, 07:08:50 AM
Quote from: Rameses on December 26, 2008, 10:35:04 PM


No idea.

Sorry man.

Time for a few experiments!   [coffee]
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 30, 2008, 10:49:52 AM
Supplies ordered.  I'll post up when I give this a try.  It should be good for a few laughs. 
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: deepak8612 on December 31, 2008, 02:47:14 PM
Quote from: pompetta on December 30, 2008, 10:49:52 AM
Supplies ordered.  I'll post up when I give this a try.  It should be good for a few laughs. 

Too bad i didnt see this earlier, I could have hooked you up with the PVA. Watch out with that shit though. It is a pregnant dog to get into solution leave alone into a sprayer (if thats what you plan on using).
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on December 31, 2008, 04:42:46 PM
Quote from: deepak8612 on December 31, 2008, 02:47:14 PM
Too bad i didnt see this earlier, I could have hooked you up with the PVA. Watch out with that shit though. It is a pregnant dog to get into solution leave alone into a sprayer (if thats what you plan on using).

Why is PVA difficult to get into solution?  Please elaborate.

I have a parts sprayer (tube attached to parts cleaner) that I've seen used to apply PVA release agent.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: deepak8612 on January 02, 2009, 10:36:16 AM
Quote from: pompetta on December 31, 2008, 04:42:46 PM
Why is PVA difficult to get into solution?  Please elaborate.

PVA has low solubility in non-volatile solvents. Depends on what you are trying to dissolve it with. If you bought a pre-made solution, you obviously will not have a problem. In water, a 20% solution takes forever to make. You will have to put it on constant stir with low heat in order to get it into solution. Usually takes overnight and a stir/hot plate and some magnetic stir bars.

If you are making a lower percent solution w/v then you might have better luck. Let me know if you have any issues and I can give you some 20%w/v that would be usuable.
Title: Re: Fiberglass fabrication
Post by: DucHead on January 02, 2009, 01:09:38 PM
Quote from: deepak8612 on January 02, 2009, 10:36:16 AM
PVA has low solubility in non-volatile solvents. Depends on what you are trying to dissolve it with. If you bought a pre-made solution, you obviously will not have a problem. In water, a 20% solution takes forever to make. You will have to put it on constant stir with low heat in order to get it into solution. Usually takes overnight and a stir/hot plate and some magnetic stir bars.

If you are making a lower percent solution w/v then you might have better luck. Let me know if you have any issues and I can give you some 20%w/v that would be usuable.

I will dissolve it in aqueous ethanol.  I do have some inside information though.  ;)