How much fibreglass mat and resin should I need?

[Coyote]

Looking to order some supplies off of here soon: http://www.nzfibreglass.co.nz/

Just wondering how much goods should I order to get started? I am planning to make a mould from the original tank and tail of my VFR, then the product. How many kg's of strand mat and litres of resin should I need?

I'm planning on using tin foil as a sure fire way to protect the paint rather than risking it using release agent. I know I'll get crinkles in the finish but they can get sanded down. If it looks interesting I might leave them.

And yes, I plan a lot of projects, but I actually have money now and can do something!

[crazefox]

Shit mate your brave.Do you no much about glassing????I have a contact who does all my glass work if you get stuck

[Billy]

Looking to order some supplies off of here soon: http://www.nzfibreglass.co.nz/

Just wondering how much goods should I order to get started? I am planning to make a mould from the original tank and tail of my VFR, then the product. How many kg's of strand mat and litres of resin should I need?

I'm planning on using tin foil as a sure fire way to protect the paint rather than risking it using release agent. I know I'll get crinkles in the finish but they can get sanded down. If it looks interesting I might leave them.

And yes, I plan a lot of projects, but I actually have money now and can do something!

Give me a call as I already have a mould for VFR tank and a number of tail options we have already adapted to VFRs in the past

[Coyote]

Shit mate your brave.Do you no much about glassing????I have a contact who does all my glass work if you get stuck
I've done a little bit at school and studied a bit about it from books and the net. Otherwise this is more practice than anything else. Think it's more ignorance than bravery :p

Got to start at some point. You can search up all the threads I've started on this site and find I talk about this shit a lot but never actually get anything done. I just need to get stuck in, and if I screwed up, oh well. Try again.

[imdying]

Looking to order some supplies off of here soon: http://www.nzfibreglass.co.nz/Ring around, try Nuplex, Composite Supplies, and Adhesive Technologies first.


Just wondering how much goods should I order to get started? I am planning to make a mould from the original tank and tail of my VFR, then the product. How many kg's of strand mat and litres of resin should I need?Give the scope of the project, get a 20 litre of resin, and about $40 of lightweight woven glass, and about the same in a medium weight CSM.


I'm planning on using tin foil as a sure fire way to protect the paint rather than risking it using release agent. I know I'll get crinkles in the finish but they can get sanded down. If it looks interesting I might leave them.Use aluminum foil tape instead.


Got to start at some point. You can search up all the threads I've started on this site and find I talk about this shit a lot but never actually get anything done. I just need to get stuck in, and if I screwed up, oh well. Try again.There's an arse load of stuff you'll need, budget round $500-1000.

Nitrile disposable gloves
Active respirator -3M with disposable cartridges
Safety goggles
Disposable measuring cups
Mixing sticks
Paint brushes
Rags
Scissors
Spreaders
Release wax
PVA - Poly Vinyl Alcohol
Foil tape
Kleen Klay
Resin
MEKP
Acetone
Wax and grease remover
Gelcoat
Duratec Surfacing Primer - do your plug in this, it's excellent stuff
Spray gun an compressor, around a 1.8mm tip, plus a 1.4 for spraying urethane clear

I've an oven/vac bagging setup if you want to try making a tank from carbon :yes:

Talk to your suppliers about resin, probably a VER (for chemical resistance) is what you want. 20 litres sounds a lot, but it's not really. VER is cheap, so it's good for building moulds from too.



Give me a call as I already have a mould for VFR tank and a number of tail options we have already adapted to VFRs in the pastHaving said all that, you have no idea what you're in for... imho you'd be foolish to turn this offer down.

[Coyote]

Ring around, try Nuplex, Composite Supplies, and Adhesive Technologies first.

Give the scope of the project, get a 20 litre of resin, and about $40 of lightweight woven glass, and about the same in a medium weight CSM.

Use aluminum foil tape instead.

There's an arse load of stuff you'll need, budget round $500-1000.

Nitrile disposable gloves
Active respirator -3M with disposable cartridges
Safety goggles
Disposable measuring cups
Mixing sticks
Paint brushes
Rags
Scissors
Spreaders
Release wax
PVA - Poly Vinyl Alcohol
Foil tape
Kleen Klay
Resin
MEKP
Acetone
Wax and grease remover
Gelcoat
Duratec Surfacing Primer - do your plug in this, it's excellent stuff
Spray gun an compressor, around a 1.8mm tip, plus a 1.4 for spraying urethane clear

I've an oven/vac bagging setup if you want to try making a tank from carbon :yes:

Talk to your suppliers about resin, probably a VER (for chemical resistance) is what you want. 20 litres sounds a lot, but it's not really. VER is cheap, so it's good for building moulds from too.


Having said all that, you have no idea what you're in for... imho you'd be foolish to turn this offer down.
Oooer... Might have to put this project on hold until I have real money.

I do have a lot of that equipment or have easy access to it since I'm in the Auto Refinishing biz, though I've still yet to get a few things. Really just need the materials.

Another option with my Christmas money was getting an air compressor and gun which I had planned for paint, not this project. Got another reason to get one now at least :D

Edit: cheers for that link but it doesn't seem to work. I'll have a look on the rest of the site. Been there before, don't know why I don't spend more time on it.

[fLaThEaD FreD]

Ring around, try Nuplex, Composite Supplies, and Adhesive Technologies first.

Give the scope of the project, get a 20 litre of resin, and about $40 of lightweight woven glass, and about the same in a medium weight CSM.

Use aluminum foil tape instead.

There's an arse load of stuff you'll need, budget round $500-1000.

Nitrile disposable gloves
Active respirator -3M with disposable cartridges
Safety goggles
Disposable measuring cups
Mixing sticks
Paint brushes
Rags
Scissors
Spreaders
Release wax
PVA - Poly Vinyl Alcohol
Foil tape
Kleen Klay
Resin
MEKP
Acetone
Wax and grease remover
Gelcoat
Duratec Surfacing Primer - do your plug in this, it's excellent stuff
Spray gun an compressor, around a 1.8mm tip, plus a 1.4 for spraying urethane clear

I've an oven/vac bagging setup if you want to try making a tank from carbon :yes:

Talk to your suppliers about resin, probably a VER (for chemical resistance) is what you want. 20 litres sounds a lot, but it's not really. VER is cheap, so it's good for building moulds from too.


Having said all that, you have no idea what you're in for... imho you'd be foolish to turn this offer down.

Do as this guy says he's absolutley right. I work for Nuplex and my advice is use Polyester resin as it gives you more options. Over 20 years laminating and selling the stuff has given me just a little experience in this field.

[Coyote]

Do as this guy says he's absolutley right. I work for Nuplex and my advice is use Polyester resin as it gives you more options. Over 20 years laminating and selling the stuff has given me just a little experience in this field.
Just a little bit.

I've heard you can use polyester cloth on what you're working on and the resin will just melt into it. Is that correct?

[fLaThEaD FreD]

Just a little bit.

I've heard you can use polyester cloth on what you're working on and the resin will just melt into it. Is that correct?


What you are doing requires alot of instruction or you will make a fucking big mess and waste alot of money.
I have a number of good instructional printouts available but they are on my work computor. I can get someone to e-mail them to you after the 5th Jan when we re-open. They are step by step style.
Message me on the 5thJan and I'll sort it for you.
You need to read them all or you"WILL" screw it up bigtime....K

[fLaThEaD FreD]

Ring around, try Nuplex, Composite Supplies, and Adhesive Technologies first.

Give the scope of the project, get a 20 litre of resin, and about $40 of lightweight woven glass, and about the same in a medium weight CSM.

Use aluminum foil tape instead.

There's an arse load of stuff you'll need, budget round $500-1000.

Nitrile disposable gloves
Active respirator -3M with disposable cartridges
Safety goggles
Disposable measuring cups
Mixing sticks
Paint brushes
Rags
Scissors
Spreaders
Release wax
PVA - Poly Vinyl Alcohol
Foil tape
Kleen Klay
Resin
MEKP
Acetone
Wax and grease remover
Gelcoat
Duratec Surfacing Primer - do your plug in this, it's excellent stuff
Spray gun an compressor, around a 1.8mm tip, plus a 1.4 for spraying urethane clear

I've an oven/vac bagging setup if you want to try making a tank from carbon :yes:

Talk to your suppliers about resin, probably a VER (for chemical resistance) is what you want. 20 litres sounds a lot, but it's not really. VER is cheap, so it's good for building moulds from too.


Having said all that, you have no idea what you're in for... imho you'd be foolish to turn this offer down.

So many people thing they will make something with 4litres of resin and a bit of mat.
Your good advice saved alot of time. Between us I'm sure we can get this guy on track to a good results.

cheers.

[imdying]

What you are doing requires alot of instruction or you will make a fucking big mess and waste alot of moneyHeh, I've read as much as I can and I've still made a lot of expensive mistakes :D

Don't be put off Coyotoe, but don't be deceived as to how much effort and money will be required. Best advice is don't make anything you can buy... talk to Billy, perhaps you can work out some sort of arrangement by where you pay him to let you make them with him as your instructor?

[Coyote]

What you are doing requires alot of instruction or you will make a fucking big mess and waste alot of money.
I have a number of good instructional printouts available but they are on my work computor. I can get someone to e-mail them to you after the 5th Jan when we re-open. They are step by step style.
Message me on the 5thJan and I'll sort it for you.
You need to read them all or you"WILL" screw it up bigtime....K
Sweet, will do.

I do have some experience and I do believe I'm capable of doing this and several other projects I have in mind. The ultimate goal is making fairings of my own design.

Heh, I've read as much as I can and I've still made a lot of expensive mistakes :D

Don't be put off Coyote, but don't be deceived as to how much effort and money will be required. Best advice is don't make anything you can buy... talk to Billy, perhaps you can work out some sort of arrangement by where you pay him to let you make them with him as your instructor?
I live on the other end of the Island. As keen as I'd be to see him work, wouldn't really be able to.

I've have established a relationship with the boss at Fibreglass Specialists over here. My work experience boss knew him and we did some paint work on a recently repaired boat hull. Wasn't able to get a job this side of New Years, but in a month or so I'll go back and see if they're keen on an apprentice or weekend worker (if I find another job in the meantime).

I'm aware there's a lot of work. I've got experience in prep work and sanding from Auto Refinishing and know how much effort goes into that.

[fLaThEaD FreD]

Sweet, will do.

I do have some experience and I do believe I'm capable of doing this and several other projects I have in mind. The ultimate goal is making fairings of my own design.

I live on the other end of the Island. As keen as I'd be to see him work, wouldn't really be able to.

I've have established a relationship with the boss at Fibreglass Specialists over here. My work experience boss knew him and we did some paint work on a recently repaired boat hull. Wasn't able to get a job this side of New Years, but in a month or so I'll go back and see if they're keen on an apprentice or weekend worker (if I find another job in the meantime).

I'm aware there's a lot of work. I've got experience in prep work and sanding from Auto Refinishing and know how much effort goes into that.


Regardless..give me a PM after the 5th Jan and I'll send you all the helpful brochures and a catologue. We have a branch in Christchurch so quick to supply goods to you...cheers

[imdying]

I do have some experience and I do believe I'm capable of doing this and several other projects I have in mind. The ultimate goal is making fairings of my own design.Well, go for it then!

Do something easier though before the tank... do you have a mudguard or hugger that you could replicate first? Do something with no negative draught so that you can use a single piece mould... then something like an USD for mudguard that requires a two piece mould... and then the tank!


I've have established a relationship with the boss at Fibreglass Specialists over here. My work experience boss knew him and we did some paint work on a recently repaired boat hull. Wasn't able to get a job this side of New Years, but in a month or so I'll go back and see if they're keen on an apprentice or weekend worker (if I find another job in the meantime)That'd be mint, I'd happily be a composite workers bitch for a few months if they'd teach me a few tricks :yes:


I'm aware there's a lot of work. I've got experience in prep work and sanding from Auto Refinishing and know how much effort goes into that.At least you know what you're getting into... preping bodywork is exactly like doing plugs, only some of the materials differ (like you'd not use polyester body filler on any car worth anything, but it's perfect for plugs.


Regardless..give me a PM after the 5th Jan and I'll send you all the helpful brochures and a catologue. We have a branch in Christchurch so quick to supply goods to you...cheersGet these, there's heaps of good ones, including some on things like vacuum bagging. Lets face it, if you're gonna go to the effort of making a tank, it might as well be a carbon one (with some kevlar placed in edges that will hit the deck first for abrasion resistance). Even if you totally fudge the weave up or some other problem, you can still paint it, and it'll still be a carbon kevlar tank :yes:

[Coyote]

Well, go for it then!

Do something easier though before the tank... do you have a mudguard or hugger that you could replicate first? Do something with no negative draught so that you can use a single piece mould... then something like an USD for mudguard that requires a two piece mould... and then the tank!

That'd be mint, I'd happily be a composite workers bitch for a few months if they'd teach me a few tricks :yes:

At least you know what you're getting into... preping bodywork is exactly like doing plugs, only some of the materials differ (like you'd not use polyester body filler on any car worth anything, but it's perfect for plugs.

Get these, there's heaps of good ones, including some on things like vacuum bagging. Lets face it, if you're gonna go to the effort of making a tank, it might as well be a carbon one (with some kevlar placed in edges that will hit the deck first for abrasion resistance). Even if you totally fudge the weave up or some other problem, you can still paint it, and it'll still be a carbon kevlar tank :yes:
To make life easier, I was thinking of a modified tank and tail unit that was one single piece. The mould will have to be cut in half and be made to bolt together to allow the product to be released, but otherwise it seems like an easier way to do things.

I'd have another fuel tank underneath this unit. Someone who doesn't know the bike will look at the tank and wonder "where's the fuel cap?".

Haven't decided on whether the whole unit will be hinged at the front (can attach it from standard tank/fairing mounts, only the front subframe would be in the way) or the rear (have to make something that clips the tank down) or just have it come off completely (but I don't want to rest it on the ground at the service station if I paint it up all nice).

I could leave the tank and tail on the bike, making sure I've covered the rest of the bike, and make the moulds off of it. Don't have to make a plug (touch wood). I plan on using foil as the tank and tail have been recently painted. If they get harmed, bugger, but not the end of the world. I'm not happy with how I painted them anyway.

If this mould works, then I'll have to try it with carbon fibre. It'd be silly not too.

My Mudgaurd is stuffed, wouldn't get a nice mould off it. That's something I had planned to buy (a nice TYGA MotoGP style one in Carbon Fibre :D).

[nico]

Give me a call as I already have a mould for VFR tank and a number of tail options we have already adapted to VFRs in the past
what in the line have you got to fit vfr750f (rc36) molded?? pics or pm chers

[imdying]

*snip horrible words about adding weight*You want to hang all this extra crap off of your lean sportsbike why?

[Coyote]

You want to hang all this extra crap off of your lean sportsbike why?
I don't see where it would be gaining weight? The tank inside will be smaller, but otherwise I can't see any other disadvantages. It'll be like a MotoGP bike having a single tank/tail piece :D

[imdying]

Well you want a tank shaped piece strong enough to brace your knees against when cornering, and then another tank piece underneath that to hold the actual fuel... what's the point?

[Coyote]

Well you want a tank shaped piece strong enough to brace your knees against when cornering, and then another tank piece underneath that to hold the actual fuel... what's the point?
Cause it'd be cool...

[imdying]

I can dig that :yes:

The inner tank, will that be a composite structure also?

[nico]

idea would a blader type thing work for the iners of a gas tank ????? that could be light could tuck up nicley inside a fiberglass outer , dont some race cars use this method??

[Coyote]

I can dig that :yes:

The inner tank, will that be a composite structure also?
Possibly. I'm hoping that my brother might teach me how to TIG weld once he has learnt it. He's going to a Fabrication course at Weltec (Custom bike making will only be a matter of time :D). That way I could make a nice shiney aluminium tank which will add to the bling factor.

Though since I'll have to wait until I have the skills for that, a composite tank would probably be what I'll do. I remember hearing fibreglass doesn't like petrol. Is there a product I can put on the inside or don't I have to worry if I use the right resin?

idea would a blader type thing work for the iners of a gas tank ????? that could be light could tuck up nicley inside a fiberglass outer , dont some race cars use this method??
That's an interesting idea. Though the VFR is a scorchingly hot bike, need something that won't melt through.


I got peer pressured into buying piss on New Years night. Might not have the cash for this project for a while yet. At least I've learnt a lot from this thread for the future.

[nico]

im sure if v8super cars and f1 cars if they can use it im sure heat probally wont be much of a issue

[imdying]

I'll do. I remember hearing fibreglass doesn't like petrol. Is there a product I can put on the inside or don't I have to worry if I use the right resin?Ask Peter as he'll know for sure, but a VER is most likely what you're after.