Quote:
Originally Posted by shockandawe
Do you have any pictures of your custom fiberglass engine cover? Also how did you make it?
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I do! I also have a video!
The down side is I also just got my first Apple computer, MAC mini and have no idea how to use it so i'll try and post them ASAP~
It was quite a process and the first attempt wasn't horrible but made me realize that making fiberglass look good is not easy. I then had a guy try one with a slightly different technique which worked OK and was nice and strong, but didn't fit worth a **************** so I scrapped that one too... In an ideal world you would want to do this with a vacuum bag setup to knock it out in 1 shot, I didn't but that what learning is about!!
So collectively putting together everything I learned from the first 2 failed projects #3 was a winner, here are the basic steps I took:
1. Masked off the opening to the engine and filled in the low spots with paper behind it so I would have a solid surface to press on.
2. Laid down a layer of plastic so the resin wouldn't get everywhere.
3. Laid my first layer of fiberglass cloth and taped it into place on the firewall.
4. Went to Home depot and got some 1/4" wire mesh from the gardening department which I then bent and formed into place over the fiberglass cloth. It can be pretty easily manipulated and cut to shape, but still very strong.
5. Getting that mesh into place is one thing but keeping it where it needs to be is another, so I got some 40mm bolts, washers and nuts and used the 4 existing mounting holes I have on the original firewall to bolt the wire mesh to the existing firewall with the fiberglass behind it.
6. Next thing I did was laid down my first layer of resin, I would recommend adding less hardener so you have a bit more time to work with the resin. If you set it up too hot then you will find yourself rushing more then you should so add less hardener and the cure time will take a bit longer, but totally worth it in the end. Make sure you are coating the heck out of the wire mesh
7. GOTTA BE QUICK! Layer #2 of fiberglass cloth, gotta lay this down before the resin sets up so you should already be prepared with the second piece before laying down your first coat of resin.
8. Lay down a second coat of resin on the second layer of fiberglass. This is the part where it would be best if you have a vacuum bag system setup (youtube it if you don't know what I'm talking about), because this is where you are trying to bond both layers of fiberglass. Without vacuum sealing it you will likely get quite a few air pockets depending on how well you set things up, but don't worry, they can be fixed later!
9. WAIT TIL IT CURES! Once everything is strong and the odor is gone then you should easily be able to see the flawed spots. Just get yourself a small sander and grind off the areas you are not happy with. Then all you need to do is go back and make patches with small bits of cloth and resin. At this point I also went back around the edges and added glass around the sides to give it a more finished look.
10. IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!!!!! Couldn't help it
So I originally got some ceramic high temp grey paint for the front but still wasn't happy with it soo in the end, last step I took was to add some heat protection! I am wrapping the front and back because I wanted a nice finished look. I need to get a bit more heat shielding as I ran out. This is the stuff I used, worked very well!! -
Thermo Tec/24 x 48 in. adhesive backed heat barrier 13590 - Read Reviews on Thermo Tec #13590
I've got a few picture of it almost finished, like I said need to go get a bit more heat shielding but you get the idea!
Let me know if I can elaborate/help. I'll get some better pics and my video up soon.
THANKS!
J