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Fiberglass fabrication

Started by DucHead, December 21, 2008, 06:55:59 AM

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DucHead

Does anyone know how to make small fiberglass parts?  I've seen some things online that suggest that it's not too difficult.
'05 S4R (>47k mi); '04 Bandit 1200 (>92k mi; sold); '02 Bandit 1200 (>11k mi); '97 Bandit 1200 (2k mi); '13 FJR1300 (1k mi); IBA #28454 "45"

superjohn

#1
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.

DucHead

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.
'05 S4R (>47k mi); '04 Bandit 1200 (>92k mi; sold); '02 Bandit 1200 (>11k mi); '97 Bandit 1200 (2k mi); '13 FJR1300 (1k mi); IBA #28454 "45"

Rameses

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.

Jobu

Are you making a fiberglass mold of your penis for Donna for Christmas?  I don't want anything to do with that.
(@  )( @ )

superjohn

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?

ncgt1000

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.
'07 GT1000 - with mods of course

DucHead

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.
'05 S4R (>47k mi); '04 Bandit 1200 (>92k mi; sold); '02 Bandit 1200 (>11k mi); '97 Bandit 1200 (2k mi); '13 FJR1300 (1k mi); IBA #28454 "45"

TiAvenger

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?

Rameses

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]

superjohn

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]

DucHead

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.
'05 S4R (>47k mi); '04 Bandit 1200 (>92k mi; sold); '02 Bandit 1200 (>11k mi); '97 Bandit 1200 (2k mi); '13 FJR1300 (1k mi); IBA #28454 "45"

DucHead

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.
'05 S4R (>47k mi); '04 Bandit 1200 (>92k mi; sold); '02 Bandit 1200 (>11k mi); '97 Bandit 1200 (2k mi); '13 FJR1300 (1k mi); IBA #28454 "45"

Rameses

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.

DucHead

'05 S4R (>47k mi); '04 Bandit 1200 (>92k mi; sold); '02 Bandit 1200 (>11k mi); '97 Bandit 1200 (2k mi); '13 FJR1300 (1k mi); IBA #28454 "45"