Homemade fibreglass fuel tanks?

[ducatilover]

Unless you're using CSM, (and you probably should be) which is loosely stuck together with an agent that polyester resin dissolves.

^ this man knows many things and should be listened to

[Padmei]

CSM? I googled it & certified scrum maker came up

I was planning on using polystyrene & epoxy resin. I have a couple of mates in the kayak building game with a vacuum bag outfit. Reckon I'd need to por15 it or is our gas ok over here?

[ducatilover]

CSM? I googled it & certified scrum maker came up

I was planning on using polystyrene & epoxy resin. I have a couple of mates in the kayak building game with a vacuum bag outfit. Reckon I'd need to por15 it or is our gas ok over here?

Chopped strand matt
Chinese Sexual Magic
Probably the first one
I'd POR15 it just in case you had some radom strands flapping around in it and just to be double sure.

[husaberg]

I posted ages ago how to do it with emulsion paint over polystyrene it was in mcm years ago for a bantam project I would guess it was on the chassis thread if I can be assed to do a link on the tablet I will l8r
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130349123

[Ocean1]

CSM? I googled it & certified scrum maker came up

I was planning on using polystyrene & epoxy resin. I have a couple of mates in the kayak building game with a vacuum bag outfit. Reckon I'd need to por15 it or is our gas ok over here?

Chopped strand matt
Chinese Sexual Magic
Probably the first one
I'd POR15 it just in case you had some radom strands flapping around in it and just to be double sure.

Sorry, I hate techno bullshit acronyms and abbreviations, I should know better.

Yes, chopped strand mat. It's cut fibres laid randomly and stuck together with bare minimum of a soluble glue, (used to be starch based). It's main advantage is that on contact with polyester resins the glue dissolves and the individual fibres are free to slide across each other, making it easy to mould over non-developable surfaces without pleats or tears.

If you're using epoxy you need a completely different procedure and different materials. Your Kayak dudes will be using probably a mixture of woven E-glass and or carbon and cutting it very carefully into panels and strips and then vacuum-bagging the lot under peel-ply.

You can do either, but without experience and access to some reasonably expensive kit you're probably better to stick with polyester. Do not, for example use 'er inodoors sucky-motor to vacuum bag your layup. Especially if there's the slightest hint of acetone around.

[Ocean1]

I posted ages ago how to do it with emulsion paint over polystyrene it was in mcm years ago for a bantam project I would guess it was on the chassis thread if I can be assed to do a link on the tablet I will l8r
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130349123

Emulsion paint = Acrylic?

[AllanB]

Alloy for me one day when I have the project bike (ie when I have money). Reckon I'd form the shape in wood and use it as a template to beat the alloy over. I've one of those Biker Build-Off DVD's and a Aussie builder does this with all the bodywork for a chop he makes. Fair bit of work but achievable with relatively simple tools.


I was dreaming on a USA tool site recently (Harbor Fright if I remember) English Wheels etc are disgustingly cheap there .... actually somewhere at home I have a NZ magazine on how to DIY make one.

[husaberg]

Emulsion paint = Acrylic?

Not really sure the poms use the term I remember it from the Brit version of trading rooms pretty sure you could use glad wrap as well if you wanted

[Ocean1]

Not really sure the poms use the term I remember it from the Brit version of trading rooms pretty sure you could use glad wrap as well if you wanted

Ah yes, I remember my landlord in London bunging a coat of emulsion on the flat.

I've used cheap acrylic house paint. It don't melt the syrene and you get a reasonably high-build, so it works well for male moulds. Would stay in the tank when the styrene's washed out of a one piece mould though, which is one reason a two piece mould may be a better idea.

[Padmei]

just deleted the last 10mins typing Fck it.

I'm getting the good oil now.
So I can use poly (I'd prefer to as that's what my mates use - they have epoxy but in small quantities) if I paint the mold with acrylic - good
I am planning on doing a two part mold .

Allan b I know what you mean about harbour freight - shitloads of stuff dirt cheap.

If there's any more magic keep it coming.

[Ocean1]

just deleted the last 10mins typing Fck it.

I'm getting the good oil now.
So I can use poly (I'd prefer to as that's what my mates use - they have epoxy but in small quantities) if I paint the mold with acrylic - good
I am planning on doing a two part mold .

Allan b I know what you mean about harbour freight - shitloads of stuff dirt cheap.

If there's any more magic keep it coming.

Boat pox.

If you leave un-wetted fibres exposed at the surface of a layup osmosis will cause any available liquid to pump up the fibre under extreme pressure and slowly explode the whole area.

Half of the cowboy-built glass fizzboats made in the early days ended up getting badly patched, sold, patched again and sold....

Another good reason to make tanks in 2 halves, you get to closely inspect both inside and outside surfaces and fix any issues. Look closely, dry fibres are very difficult to see. POR15 might be a good belt and braces idea but I've never used it in a glass tank, check the tech literature.

[ducatilover]

Boat pox.

If you leave un-wetted fibres exposed at the surface of a layup osmosis will cause any available liquid to pump up the fibre under extreme pressure and slowly explode the whole area.

Half of the cowboy-built glass fizzboats made in the early days ended up getting badly patched, sold, patched again and sold....

Another good reason to make tanks in 2 halves, you get to closely inspect both inside and outside surfaces and fix any issues. Look closely, dry fibres are very difficult to see. POR15 might be a good belt and braces idea but I've never used it in a glass tank, check the tech literature.

I've known of a few people running the POR15 in glass tanks long term with no issues and have never heard any actual issues

[imdying]

Vinylester would probably be more suitable, commonly used on chemical tanks etc. Osmosis is definitely a concern.

[husaberg]

Surfboards are a good source of high desinty if you need some surfers often have broken boards easier to shape too nice finish possible