Any Fibreglass/composite folks?

[Stuart]

I want to make some stuff from GRP (and also lead onto repairs to the plastic skip). I've got the gist of the vacuum bag route from a crazy aussie :) and made the blanks to mould etc but I'm now stuck at the materials and 'extra tools' stage.

I dont need Lloyds approved stuff so that can hack a lot of cost out but what Glass/Carbon do I want to make a smallish heater matrix enclosure?
CSM of some sort (heavier or lighter the better?)
or woven glass (or that mix stuff)
yada yada yada

any good suppliers?
I've looked on ebay at the repair kits and each one seems to be missing something I think I need lol. Have also looked at CFS and carbonology etc.

[Mike]

All you need is the resin, hardener, twill (CF, GRP, Kevlar etc) mould release agent, a paddle an er thats about it really for DIY.

Well thats about all i ever used when makeing carbon fibre things lol

[therealnovaboy]

if you use CF you need to get epoxy resin to get a good clear glossey finnish. cheaper resins give you a yellowy finish. somthing like 205 hardener and 105 resin.

you can buy this on ebay but www.carbonmods.com (http://www.carbonmods.com) also do kits but are quite expensive for larger quantities.

[Graeme]

I did an auto door installation on a place called Glasplies in Southport, got speaking to the owner and he said they do all the supplies and tools for fibreglass and carbon production, whilst I was working there the owner of Magnum motorsport turned up with some full carbon bucket seats

[Zeus]

http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=27809&p=404165#p404165

[MK999]

http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=27809&p=404165#p404165

You are aware that's vinyl and not anything to do with what he's after right? lol

[Stuart]

lol


cheers chaps, Bungle is sorting me out with some shizzle today :)
At the moment I dont really care about a glossy finish etc as I'm only making a haeter box and prehaps moving onto other stuff, but if I want to make pretty carbon then proper epoxy will be obtained:)

[Zeus]

You are aware that's vinyl and not anything to do with what he's after right? lol

Sorry I was half reading :tard: Must pay attention fully to the OP.

[burgo]

lol


cheers chaps, Bungle is sorting me out with some shizzle today :)
At the moment I dont really care about a glossy finish etc as I'm only making a haeter box and prehaps moving onto other stuff, but if I want to make pretty carbon then proper epoxy will be obtained:)your lucky those seats didnt go walkies ;). if you google the type of resin it'll give you the ratio you need

[ade]

I use www.cfsnet.co.uk (http://www.cfsnet.co.uk) for my stuff. Very good quality and also have projects section that may be helpful.

When making my bumper I was advised the following -

To make the mold you need -
release agent applied to the master (mirror glaze is v good - rub and polish in 3 layers)
1 layer of gel coat for super smooth finish
1 layer fibreglass tissue (for fine surface to hide GRP strands)
2-3 layers chopped strand mat (300gsm)
enough resin/hardner to laminate between layers
brushes to apply resin (dabbing on)
paddle roller(s) to remove air pockets and merge layers

cleaning agent to remove resin from rollers/brushes
rubber gloves/overalls
fume respirator

for the cast you need -
release agent applied to the mold (mirror glaze is v good - rub and polish in 3 layers)
1 layer of gel coat for super smooth finish
1 layer fibreglass tissue (for fine surface to hide GRP strands)
1-2 layers chopped strand mat (300gsm)
woven roven or similar twill weave fibreglass matting
1-2 layers of chopped strand matt
1 layer fibreglass tissue
enough resin/hardner to laminate between layers
brushes and paddle roller(s) to remove air pockets and merge layers and get into nooks and crannies

You could probably reduce the amount of layers for a heater matrix enclosure and the vac pack method is good if youve got a heavy duty method to create the vaccuum and some very strong take to make the seal but for a heater matrix I dont think you'd need it...