I figured I would ask here as Fiero people are experts at fiberglassing lol Friend and I have some custom worked planned for his car (not a Fiero...Camaro). But he doesn't want to ruin his body panels as he wants to sell them as they are original. Is it possible to cover the whole front end with plastic, fill in/add whatever fiberglass above the plastic like we want. Then take a mold to make a one piece front end and then remove the plastic and still have the stock parts? Or is this dreaming and basically going to have to pick one or the other...? Thanks
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05:50 PM
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Rolling Thunder Member
Posts: 1244 From: College Station, TX Registered: Aug 2008
This depends on how accurate you want it to be. If you lay the fiberglass over the front end, it will be bigger than the front end. You may have to make a shell and then turn it over and use it as a mold.
btw, you probably want a few layers of fiberglass.
I figured I would ask here as Fiero people are experts at fiberglassing lol Friend and I have some custom worked planned for his car (not a Fiero...Camaro). But he doesn't want to ruin his body panels as he wants to sell them as they are original. Is it possible to cover the whole front end with plastic, fill in/add whatever fiberglass above the plastic like we want. Then take a mold to make a one piece front end and then remove the plastic and still have the stock parts? Or is this dreaming and basically going to have to pick one or the other...? Thanks
Why do all that when you can just buy a stock front bumper in fiberglass? here: www.fierofiberglass.com
Originally posted by Fiero Finale: Friend and I have some custom worked planned for his car (not a Fiero...Camaro). But he doesn't want to ruin his body panels as he wants to sell them as they are original.
quote
Originally posted by randye: Why do all that when you can just buy a stock front bumper in fiberglass? here: www.fierofiberglass.com
Fiero Finale isn't looking for fiero parts... He is looking for advice of taking a mould of the front of a Camaro.
As for the moulding, as Rolling Thunder mentioned... it depends on how accurate you want it and the condition you want the original parts in when you are done.
If I am picturing this, your friend wants a 1 piece flip front on his camaro? Correct? If so, the best way to do this would be to use modeling clay to fill in the front end body seams, smooth to the surfaces, prep the surface with multiple applications of a good quality car wax, and then spray on a coat of pva mould release. Spray on a gel coat, then lay on multiple layers of fiberglass. Add structural reinforcements - be it foam, rope, wood in between the final layers. Allow full curing. And release. The paint on the factory parts may be clouded or discolored, but this would yield the best quality of finished product. Then simply wax, pva, gel coat, skim mat, and fiberglass into the mould and pull your final product.
Fiero Finale isn't looking for fiero parts... He is looking for advice of taking a mould of the front of a Camaro.
As for the moulding, as Rolling Thunder mentioned... it depends on how accurate you want it and the condition you want the original parts in when you are done.
If I am picturing this, your friend wants a 1 piece flip front on his camaro? Correct? If so, the best way to do this would be to use modeling clay to fill in the front end body seams, smooth to the surfaces, prep the surface with multiple applications of a good quality car wax, and then spray on a coat of pva mould release. Spray on a gel coat, then lay on multiple layers of fiberglass. Add structural reinforcements - be it foam, rope, wood in between the final layers. Allow full curing. And release. The paint on the factory parts may be clouded or discolored, but this would yield the best quality of finished product. Then simply wax, pva, gel coat, skim mat, and fiberglass into the mould and pull your final product.
Thanks Nebiros88. You have a PM.
So they only thing we can risk damaging is the paint???
Can you give me names of actual products you recommend as far as pva/gel coat/skim mat?
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08:50 PM
Apr 26th, 2009
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
I'd just like to add a couple comments, in addition to what Nebiros88 said.
First of all, you'll need to make a multiple-piece mold. Since the mold will go down the sides of the car, and probably under the front a bit, you'll need to be able to remove it in pieces or you'll wreck it trying to remove it.
Second of all, if you polish/wax the car properly, and apply the PVA film properly, there should be no damage to the paint. This is assuming the paint is in decent condition, i.e. isn't flaking or cracking.
I'd also like to recommend that before embarking on the front end project, you should practice on a junk body panel. Make your mistakes on the junk panel, not your buddy's car.
Friend and I have some custom worked planned for his car (not a Fiero...Camaro). But he doesn't want to ruin his body panels as he wants to sell them as they are original. Is it possible to cover the whole front end with plastic, fill in/add whatever fiberglass above the plastic like we want. Then take a mold to make a one piece front end and then remove the plastic and still have the stock parts? Or is this dreaming and basically going to have to pick one or the other...? Thanks
