I can/have made a fiberglass insert for a sunroof that can be used as a solid sunroof or to make your sunroof into a hardtop if you do not want the sunroof option anymore. They are light and super strong,carbon fiber ones will not net any wieght savings over a fiberglass one. A plus is it can be molded into the original roof like I originally planned it for to make a hardtop. I can have one produced a day. They would be trimmmed and pretty much ready to final sand and prime.


Price would be somewheres from 75-100, haven't gotten a total materials list together.

------------------

Thats pretty cool, i imagine it could be used as a replacement for the glass itself

Yes after we got it trimmed, we noticed it would be a perfect replacement for the glass if you wanted to block sun or make it look like a hartop without findin one or making it permanent.

------------------

What no scoop

quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: What no scoop?

Reality started doing that a long time ago... but I don't think he ever got around to finishing it (there's a reference to it here).

I know someone mentioned it awhile back, but I've never heard of anyone persuing it. How about fiberglass replacement panels for T-Tops too?

I would suggest you use gelcoat if you intend to sell your product. Ungelcoated fibreglass is like primered cars. It sucks in water and deteriorates. Not as bad as primer but you get the idea.

------------------

*smirk* I could make one lighter */smirk*

quote Originally posted by 86 FIERO GT: carbon fiber ones will not net any wieght savings over a fiberglass one.

The hardware on the original sunroof isn't that complex. I would just use that instead of trying to mold it in, but that's me.

Depends on what kind of resin you buy, some resin is too thick to be called gel coat.

quote Originally posted by Howard_Sacks: You do know gelcoat is just colored resin. Right?

quote Originally posted by Howard_Sacks: You do know gelcoat is just colored resin. Right?

LOL. So 22 years in the fibreglass game is wrong then. Gelcoat is a totally different makeup to resin I assure you.

I would need a pair of bad but not broken or cracked T-tops to work with. The top of the peiced that sat on the glass is smooth like the glass so I see no need for a gelcoat. I am thinkin about roof scoops too at this point. As of now I don't see enough interest.

edited for Howard, ya you might be able to go lighter with C/F but how much 5-6 ounces?

[This message has been edited by 86 FIERO GT (edited 11-22-2003).]

Make em with a scoop and gel coated... ill take one

------------------

Don't kid yourself; it's all glue(and I've only seen polyester based gel coat; poly is poly is poly).

quote Originally posted by AusFiero: LOL. So 22 years in the fibreglass game is wrong then. Gelcoat is a totally different makeup to resin I assure you.

I'm just teasin you man. It looks like a nice part. CF is generally 50-60% lighter then fiberglass based stuff though. My target weight would be about 3lbs on that part. How much does yours weigh?

quote edited for Howard, ya you might be able to go lighter with C/F but how much 5-6 ounces?

Well I am not even going to bother chasing up the formulas to prove I am right, because I know I am and am obviously preaching to the unpreachable.

Gelcoat is gelcoat, resin is resin. 2 different formulas and 2 different purposes. No ifs or buts. Being both based on the same base material doesn't make them the same. That is like saying a cake is the as bread because they are both based on flour.

I have over 20 years experience in this industry working on everything from boats, to auto accessories to pools to custom industrial projects. I was making Carbon fibre and kevlar parts long before most people even knew what the stuff was. I do know what i am talking about. Anyone throwing around their theories here have the same experience across a diverse range of the industry?

What do you think happens to a pool or a boat with no gelcoat? What about a Corvette that is made with no gelcoat?

Aus, I don't know sqaut about fiberglass, resins and gelcoats, but 2 minutes of research on the web suggests to me that something is being lost in the translation. Apparently in the states Gelcoat is just colored resin.

GELCOAT - A colored, polyester-resin material applied to the surface of a molded part. The gelcoat hardens to a smooth, durable form and becomes an integral part of the laminate. Fiberglass pools and spas have gelcoat finishes.

quote Originally posted by 86 FIERO GT: I would need a pair of bad but not broken or cracked T-tops to work with.

I don't know if you're going to be able to get a glass set to work off of, but check out http://www.fieroparts.com/ to get an idea of how valuable they would be if you produced them. I bet you could charge $250 for a set even if they don't need them yet. There will be a point where people with t-tops will not be able to get replacement glass and someone will have to fill the void.

Be the first person to come in at a reasonable price and you will be the man to go to.

gel coat and resin are not the same. if they were why have both? i have repaired boats and gelcoat is simular, but they have different purposes. the fiberglass with some kind of sealer,i.e gelcoat, should hold up just fine, its not like you are going to be making a submersible.

Im pretty sure someone has a cracked or scuffed glass that they will eventually replace. I can incorporate scoops in but I need a template of one first.

Aus, don't worry I will heed your advice and add a gelcoat to everything.

------------------

Hello, Have to agree with Aus here you got to use gel coat. I would use a sandable grey primer gel coat, so you can have a smooth surface to paint on. thanks Norm from www.normsfiberglass.com

I'm not saying not to use a gel coat(or go rich out the outer layer by painting your mold with resin before lay up and letting it gel), but they kind of are the same thing.

and not to beat a dead horse, but page 34 in Forbes Aird's Fiberglass and Composite Materials says, "Conventional gel coat is nothing more than polyester resin, with a few added ingredients. To prevent runs and sags when the gel coat is applied to a vertical surface, a thixotropic agent-usually silica gel- is blended in , to add body and so resist flowing under the effect of gravity.

Simon McBeath writes something similar in Competion Car Composties.

quote Originally posted by Slater_334: gel coat and resin are not the same. if they were why have both? i have repaired boats and gelcoat is simular, but they have different purposes. the fiberglass with some kind of sealer,i.e gelcoat, should hold up just fine, its not like you are going to be making a submersible.

[This message has been edited by Howard_Sacks (edited 11-23-2003).]

Good idea... We're doing them in Carbon Fiber and in C/Kevlar.

Looks good too

DKOV -

all you guys makeing these would one of you make it with a scoop. i would rather have the cf tho. and have the scoop with a screen for debri? or soemthing to stop debri/water from comeing in. i would buy it on instant

could you make a version with the sunroof hardware attached? or are they available? if I were to purchase one, I'd want to keep the option of venting my compartment. just my $0.02

Mine is designed to be used as a solid sunroof, it was made from a sunroof so all I would have to do is drill the holes which are already marked.

Side note:
DKOV, Did you get my PM? I am sending you those valve covers for you to make some C/F ones.

------------------

quote Originally posted by 86 FIERO GT: Side note: DKOV, Did you get my PM? I am sending you those valve covers for you to make some C/F ones.

YEs, I did... replied as well. You must not be getting my emails. Odd.

Anyway YES... send them. Deal still stands

Call me if you like but be advised... I am travelling far and wide for Thanksgiving. I may or may NOT be available

In any case, I'm back by next Tuesday to we can touch base then if nothing else.

DKOV -
360-883-5602 office (forwards to cell also)