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fiberglass pros...i need help

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:25 pm
by fearingdark
i'm going to start by saying I HAVE NEVER WORKED WITH FIBERGLASS BEFORE.
now that's outta the way, if i wanted to fiberglass my center console or dash, could i just use the fg resin and hardener mix, or do i have to use the sheets of fg/chopped fg along with the req. hardener/resin?

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:30 pm
by JRM
Step One
Gather your tools. Once you begin, you'll need to work quickly. Make sure your brushes, scissors, squeegee, epoxy and fiberglass sheets are ready.

Step Two
Cut your cloth. You need at least two layers of cloth. Measure out enough cloth for the area you will be covering. Make the second layer just a bit bigger than the first piece.

Step Three
Remove any damaged fiberglass. Sand the area you will be working on with 60 grit paper and make sure all the debris is blown away. You want the area to be as clean and smooth as possible.

Step Four
Put on some gloves, preferably cheap ones that you won't mind throwing away.

Step Five
Mix your epoxy. You'll probably be using a polyester-based resin. Get some stainless steel measuring cups (or something else that won't melt) and make a mix of 1 to 2 percent resin to MEKP hardener. For example, mix 1 cup resin to 1/2 tsp of MEKP.

Step Six
Lay down your cloth on the site. If you are using different weights of cloth, place the heavier cloth down first.

Step Seven
Apply epoxy. Use the tip of a paintbrush and dab gently on the cloth until it becomes nearly transparent. You can also use a putty spreader to work the epoxy in. Saturate the entire cloth.

Step Eight
Lay down your next layer. First, without dipping your brush into the epoxy again, dab at the cloth so it compacts with the first layer. Now apply more epoxy like you did before.

Step Nine
Swipe the site with a spreader or squeegee. This will remove any air bubbles or excess epoxy. Push firmly, but don't dislodge the fiberglass.

Step Ten
Let it sit. The glass and epoxy have to set. This process is called curing. Depending on the temperature and the job, it can take from 30 minutes to an hour.

Step Eleven
Sand site to your desired smoothness before painting.

Taken straight from here

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:35 pm
by fearingdark
that was fast...i'm thinking my next long weekend is going to be dedicated to doing my door inserts...

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:43 pm
by rice_eater
those tips are useless because they are not complete...


are you making a new center console or adding to the stock one?


if you're making a new one, you have to wax the console about 5-6 times with high temperature mold release wax, otherwise after your resin cures you're not gonna be able to pull it off your center console...


i suggest doing some small projects first to get the hang of it... center console is probably the hardest thing you could have picked