Trying to make myself a fiberglass hood.
12-22-10, 12:01 PM
#26
Materials are cheap, time is the most expensive part. Hood itself, probably $35-50 depending on resin used.
My FC hoods use a foam core for most of the underside. I've played around with different ways to make raised areas to add strength. I've finally just doubled and tripled up with strips of the foam core in certain areas that would tend to lift from underhood pressure above 130mph. Those hoods weigh about 11-13 lbs and there is a lot of extra sqft compared to an FB.
The biggest trick with the foam is to taper the edges so they don't hold air during lay up.
My FC hoods use a foam core for most of the underside. I've played around with different ways to make raised areas to add strength. I've finally just doubled and tripled up with strips of the foam core in certain areas that would tend to lift from underhood pressure above 130mph. Those hoods weigh about 11-13 lbs and there is a lot of extra sqft compared to an FB.
The biggest trick with the foam is to taper the edges so they don't hold air during lay up.
12-22-10, 12:27 PM
#28
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yeah I have been thinking about changing up the frame design to save weight.. My only fear is that the hood might be to flimsy.
I'm going to try some new ideas on the third hood. I'll do a detailed write up on the next one with lots of pictures. As soon as I get some cash for supplies.
I'm going to try some new ideas on the third hood. I'll do a detailed write up on the next one with lots of pictures. As soon as I get some cash for supplies.
I would suggest disposing of the steel back and replacing it with something similar with bonded aluminum box channel for mounts and prop rod holes.
The only issue I have with mine is that the hood tends to be really flimsy in high winds while up working in the pits. if the wind comes from the rear of the car it tends to wobble around. Not so much from the front. I solved this issue by running double prop rods. you will notice that the car has provisions for one each side. Just bend a second prop rod mount tab from a 'J' to an 'L' and insert!
12-22-10, 02:24 PM
#29
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12-22-10, 02:38 PM
#30
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Resin: $36.50 a gallon
gelcoat: $41.95 a gallon
1.5 oz CSM fiberglass: $3.40 for a 50" x 1 yard peice
PVA # 10: $15.95 a gallon
wax: $10.95 for 16 oz's
prices just to get you guys a idea of what this stuff costs.. plus shipping costs me out the ***!
I'm guessing it costs me around $110 to make one PLUS all my time.
I'll keep track of what I use on the next one and find out what they really cost.
gelcoat: $41.95 a gallon
1.5 oz CSM fiberglass: $3.40 for a 50" x 1 yard peice
PVA # 10: $15.95 a gallon
wax: $10.95 for 16 oz's
prices just to get you guys a idea of what this stuff costs.. plus shipping costs me out the ***!
I'm guessing it costs me around $110 to make one PLUS all my time.
I'll keep track of what I use on the next one and find out what they really cost.
12-22-10, 06:34 PM
#31
Here is a shot of an FC hood.
Not to bust your ***** RE but your time is worth good money but you only need about a quart of gelcoat(being wasteful) and 3 quarts of resin at the most. A gal of PVA is almost a lifetime supply and a tin of wax will last a loonnnnnggg time too.
The money is from all the prep time from mold making all the way to the trimming of the new part. Guys, if you haven't tried this stuff, I'll tell you its time consuming to do it right. A lot of times you won't know if you screwed up somewhere along the line until you pull the part out of the mold !
Where do you buy from? I have a great place in town that I know ships all over check out fgci.com (Fiberglass Coatings)
Not to bust your ***** RE but your time is worth good money but you only need about a quart of gelcoat(being wasteful) and 3 quarts of resin at the most. A gal of PVA is almost a lifetime supply and a tin of wax will last a loonnnnnggg time too.
The money is from all the prep time from mold making all the way to the trimming of the new part. Guys, if you haven't tried this stuff, I'll tell you its time consuming to do it right. A lot of times you won't know if you screwed up somewhere along the line until you pull the part out of the mold !
Where do you buy from? I have a great place in town that I know ships all over check out fgci.com (Fiberglass Coatings)
12-22-10, 07:42 PM
#32
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Here is a shot of an FC hood.
Not to bust your ***** RE but your time is worth good money but you only need about a quart of gelcoat(being wasteful) and 3 quarts of resin at the most. A gal of PVA is almost a lifetime supply and a tin of wax will last a loonnnnnggg time too.
The money is from all the prep time from mold making all the way to the trimming of the new part. Guys, if you haven't tried this stuff, I'll tell you its time consuming to do it right. A lot of times you won't know if you screwed up somewhere along the line until you pull the part out of the mold !
Where do you buy from? I have a great place in town that I know ships all over check out fgci.com (Fiberglass Coatings)
Not to bust your ***** RE but your time is worth good money but you only need about a quart of gelcoat(being wasteful) and 3 quarts of resin at the most. A gal of PVA is almost a lifetime supply and a tin of wax will last a loonnnnnggg time too.
The money is from all the prep time from mold making all the way to the trimming of the new part. Guys, if you haven't tried this stuff, I'll tell you its time consuming to do it right. A lot of times you won't know if you screwed up somewhere along the line until you pull the part out of the mold !
Where do you buy from? I have a great place in town that I know ships all over check out fgci.com (Fiberglass Coatings)
I'm still on my first tin of wax. your right a gallon of PVA does last a long time.. I have had too learn how to do this stuff all by myself.. So there was a lot of trial and error( lots of wasted supplies) trying to figure out how to use the stuff.
I use around 24 OZ of gelcoat on a hood, and around 96 OZ of resin on a hood. I know I could be using less meterials since my hood does weigh 13.8 Lbs.
I get my supplies from UScomposites. They are on the east side and I'm on the west so I pay big time on shipping.
I have always wanted to talk to someone that does this kind of stuff. To find out how they do it, where they get there supplies etc....
Thanks for the info!
12-22-10, 08:26 PM
#33
The guy that taught me a lot had a company that built boats. That alone saved me a lot of time and money because he would tell me the problem I was on my way to having before it happened
There was a lot of, "you might want to wait a little more..." and "I would get on that about now"
I've been thinking about trying some of the UV cured resins but I can only find them in Cali. They have a long shelf life and can be cured with lamps or just putting the part out in the sun for a few minutes. Best thing is they don't stink from the styrene.
There was a lot of, "you might want to wait a little more..." and "I would get on that about now"
I've been thinking about trying some of the UV cured resins but I can only find them in Cali. They have a long shelf life and can be cured with lamps or just putting the part out in the sun for a few minutes. Best thing is they don't stink from the styrene.
12-22-10, 09:45 PM
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WOW! Thanks jgrewe! That site is awesome! So many options... Damn I wish I could find a supplier in the west side of the US..
It must be great to be able to just pick that stuff up from the store..
It must be great to be able to just pick that stuff up from the store..
12-24-10, 04:30 PM
#38
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Hey guys,
Thanks for all the good comments!
I make a living on fiberglass boat repair. So I never really plan on making and selling fiberglass for the FB as of right now. But if it would be doing you guys a favor I could make a couple more.. as long as the forum permits it.
I would let this one go out of my "privite stash" if anybody wants it.. PM me with a offer or to add yourself as a contact if I make some later. (as long as it's cool with the forum)
I will make a detailed write up with lots of pictures as soon as I make my next prototype hood.
Thanks guys! and thank you rx7club!
Thanks for all the good comments!
I make a living on fiberglass boat repair. So I never really plan on making and selling fiberglass for the FB as of right now. But if it would be doing you guys a favor I could make a couple more.. as long as the forum permits it.
I would let this one go out of my "privite stash" if anybody wants it.. PM me with a offer or to add yourself as a contact if I make some later. (as long as it's cool with the forum)
I will make a detailed write up with lots of pictures as soon as I make my next prototype hood.
Thanks guys! and thank you rx7club!
