Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > DIY / How-to
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-23-2012, 08:30 AM   #31 (permalink)
Do more with less
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: North Eastern Missouri
Posts: 930

OD - '05 Ford Econoline
90 day: 18.64 mpg (US)

Joetta - '86 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Oil Burner
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 49.71 mpg (US)

Benzilla - '85 Mercedes Benz 300D
90 day: 28.08 mpg (US)
Thanks: 66
Thanked 177 Times in 112 Posts
When I do lay ups I cover the surface with rip stop nylon or polyester fabric. On compound curves I use strips about 2 inches wide. It produces a smooth surface and makes sure that the edges of the composite are embedded in the resin, just peel off the cloth. If another layer is required you have a great surface to do a secondary layup, no sanding.

Some hints I would ad is to make sure you don't have any wrinkles in the fabric. Dont stretch the fabric as it causes the layup to distort.

__________________
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” George Orwell

“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe.

The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed.”

Noah Webster, 1787
  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 03-23-2012, 09:10 AM   #32 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
turbothrush's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 133

2 x wrecked vx - '92 Honda Civic Vx
Team Honda
90 day: 62 mpg (US)
Thanks: 119
Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Varn View Post
When I do lay ups I cover the surface with rip stop nylon or polyester fabric. On compound curves I use strips about 2 inches wide. It produces a smooth surface and makes sure that the edges of the composite are embedded in the resin, just peel off the cloth. If another layer is required you have a great surface to do a secondary layup, no sanding.

Some hints I would ad is to make sure you don't have any wrinkles in the fabric. Dont stretch the fabric as it causes the layup to distort.
Where do you get this fabric ... any fabric store ?? And thanks for posting
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 10:14 AM   #33 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
skyking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Tacoma WA
Posts: 1,399

Woody - '96 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 23.82 mpg (US)

Avion and Woody - '96 Dodge/Avion Ram 2500/5th wheel combo
90 day: 15.1 mpg (US)

TD eye eye eye - '03 Volkswagen Beetle GLS
90 day: 49.05 mpg (US)

Mule - '07 Dodge Ram 3500 ST
Thanks: 743
Thanked 528 Times in 344 Posts
Search for "Polyester Taffeta"
At the fiberglass supply shops it is called peel ply. It produces a totally different effect than the mylar I posted, it leaves a flat, textured surface that does not need any sanding to go on with the next layup. The mylar leaves a mirror-like finish, for that last layer before paint. Only need a bit of sanding to provide "tooth" for the paint to stick to.
The only thing to beware of is any kind of coating it may have from a regular fabric store. That coating, if present, would mess with the bond of a successive layer.
Peel ply is useful when you lay up an area, then plan on bonding a wall or bulkhead to that surface later. Leave the peel ply on to keep it clean while you work on other things.
__________________




2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 with 6MT
2003 TDI Beetle
2002 TDI Beetle

currently parked - 1996 Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbodiesel
Custom cab, auto, 3.55 gears
  Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 01:57 PM   #34 (permalink)
Do more with less
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: North Eastern Missouri
Posts: 930

OD - '05 Ford Econoline
90 day: 18.64 mpg (US)

Joetta - '86 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Oil Burner
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 49.71 mpg (US)

Benzilla - '85 Mercedes Benz 300D
90 day: 28.08 mpg (US)
Thanks: 66
Thanked 177 Times in 112 Posts
There is really nothing to beware of. Just go to the local fabric shop and get the color that is on sale. Rip stop is preferred but heavier polyester (dacron) works fine. I have tried smooth plastic and the surface has always needed sanding any way.

another use for polyester is to lay it out over a frame slightly heat it to get it to shrink tight and use it as a wet layup mold. In the ecomod vein I built a molded grill cover and wheel spats for my camo van. The finished result can be seen in my vehicle gallery.
__________________
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” George Orwell

“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe.

The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed.”

Noah Webster, 1787
  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Varn For This Useful Post:
drmiller100 (03-23-2012), skyking (03-24-2012)
Old 05-29-2012, 10:23 PM   #35 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
NeilBlanchard's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth
Posts: 7,907

Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0
Team Toyota
90 day: 42.48 mpg (US)

Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S
Team Nissan
90 day: 156.46 mpg (US)

Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 155.81 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3,475
Thanked 2,950 Times in 1,844 Posts
Here's some very useful videos on making FRP molds and parts, using the vacuum method:





The fellow Reg Schmeiss in the videos was a member of the Edison2 X-Prize team.
__________________
Sincerely, Neil

http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to NeilBlanchard For This Useful Post:
skyking (05-30-2012)
Old 05-30-2012, 01:11 PM   #36 (permalink)
Cyborg ECU
 
California98Civic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coastal Southern California
Posts: 6,299

Black and Green - '98 Honda Civic DX Coupe
Team Honda
90 day: 66.42 mpg (US)

Black and Red - '00 Nashbar Custom built eBike
90 day: 3671.43 mpg (US)
Thanks: 2,373
Thanked 2,172 Times in 1,469 Posts
Great tips. Thanks. Made my first project a while back.... was disappointed. Plan to try again.
__________________
See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.



  Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2013, 04:50 PM   #37 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
freebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: northwest of normal
Posts: 27,629
Thanks: 7,759
Thanked 8,572 Times in 7,058 Posts
I just stumbled across the thread. Interesting perspectives all around. Thanks, skyking!

As to the topic: My parents used this technique on craft sized projects in teh 1970s.

I think it influenced my go-to method for chemically stripping paint. Pour the stripper on and cover it with 4mil polyethylene, then squeegee it out instead of brushing. I did this on the roof of a Squareback, and when I peeled the plastic back, 70% of the paint was fused to the plastic and I was looking at the original phosphate coating on the German steel. Not so much luck with vertical surfaces but it really holds the volatiles to the task.

Citrus based strippers, not the stuff with Methyl Mercury.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com