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 Posted 9/6/2005 2:00:25 AM |
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Junior Member
 
Last Login: 7/30/2006 10:38:52 PM
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| Ok so I know some people like chopped glass and others like hand laid mat. My question is not which is better because from what I've been reading if I had to choose one over other it would be mat. My question is could you do a layer of chopped glass closest to finish surface (I've been reading that if you use chopped you can't see glass pattern through paint) and then a layer of glass mat next to strengthen body? Reason I ask is because I keep reading that in order to have really strong body you need to have some form of filler between layers? So to those of you that actually have messed with fiberglass do you use one coat then filler then another coat or do you just stick with one layer of glass?
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| Posted 9/6/2005 7:06:55 AM |
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Yipee-ki-yay...
Last Login: 8/14/2013 8:15:11 PM
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Blown chopped strands and chopped strand mat are essentially the same thing. They are short individual strands of fiberglass. The difference is the way they are applied.
Blown chopped strands (blown chop) starts off looking kind of like a rope that is fed into a chopper gun, chopped up, mixed with resin and blown onto the piece.
Chopped strand mat (chop mat) comes already chopped and evenly spread into sheets (or mats). The strands are held together with a bonding agent that breaks down when it contacts the styrene in the resin allowing the strands to move freely.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but those have little to do with the finished piece. Some prefer to hand lay the mat and some prefer to spray it on. Either method can be better than the other depending on the skill of the people involved.
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| Posted 9/6/2005 1:05:34 PM |
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Resident CLTC
Last Login: 3/3/2024 6:39:56 PM
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The lay up method I use is...
1. Black gel coat
2. 3/4 oz. mat.
3. 18 oz. woven cloth
4. 1-1/2 oz. mat
If the gel coat is thick enough there should be no bleed through of the mat or cloth.
 
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| Posted 9/6/2005 2:17:00 PM |
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Yipee-ki-yay...
Last Login: 8/14/2013 8:15:11 PM
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| What thickness do you get with that, Kevin?
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| Posted 9/6/2005 3:48:05 PM |
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Resident CLTC
Last Login: 3/3/2024 6:39:56 PM
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Around 1/4" thick....
I also have at least a 4" overlap.
If I am doing a mold I will have at least 12 layers, to make the mold over 3/4" thick depending on how much resin I roll out.
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| Posted 9/6/2005 9:12:45 PM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 7/30/2006 10:38:52 PM
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| Awesome! Thanks Kevin that's exactly the info I was looking for. Now if anyone could tell me how the body fastens to the frame I would appreciate it. I'm hoping its as simple as I'm thinking after looking at my buddies Corvette body. Are there just spots where I need to drill holes and then fasten it to frame using rivets? Looking at a vette it looks like the body is just fastened at edges near hood and under the car, so is the rest of the body just free floating? It's not connected anywhere but at edges right? Thanks again guys.
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| Posted 9/6/2005 10:25:32 PM |
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Yipee-ki-yay...
Last Login: 8/14/2013 8:15:11 PM
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| In a nutshell, you attach it to the frame anywhere you can. I don't know how others have done it with there b-mobiles but usually it's bolted, not riveted, to the frame. Brackets can be glassed to the body and then bolted to the frame. Other guys here can be more specific than that.
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| Posted 9/7/2005 8:29:37 AM |
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Resident CLTC
Last Login: 3/3/2024 6:39:56 PM
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| I have a post in there some where, describing what to do. The body is so large on this vehicle, to help support the structure as in any large fiberglass vehicle; it is recommended that you glass in a steel substructure to the vehicle. This accomplishes two things, it gives support to the large body and attachment points can be placed at key locations through the body. Adjustable eyebolts can be placed where body alignments are necessary. Once everything is set attachments points can be welded in place.
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| Posted 9/7/2005 3:21:27 PM |
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"Andy Smith is my Hero".
Last Login: 3/29/2024 12:55:58 AM
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Thanks people .
Free experience, know how & practical solutions.
Respect to you all.
"There is no end but the end is near!"
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