Re: New member - Excel SA
Posted: Mon May 30, 2022 10:13
Dove head-first into making the center console out of fiberglass on the weekend. I had to cut out a few different panels to get around all the direction changes and corners - it was a messy job laying up all the layers - fiberglass doesn't like to change direction that much...Here's what it looked like after many hours of laying up and bagging:
A few lessons learnt on vacuum bagging:
The part with the peelply and air-bleed material removed. I have left the part in the mould still and will de-mould it this evening. It hasn't come out too badly - there are areas that aren't great, but this whole part will be covered with foam and leather, so nothing that can't be sanded out or added to. By making the pattern in 5 different pieces that I can take apart, I'm hoping there's not too much drama involved in separating it all - I did cover it in clear packing tape, and painted mould release over that.....
Also made a cover for the console - this does have a bit of a curve to it. There is a layer of 3-ply plywood sandwiched by fiberglass - 1 layer underneath, 2 on top. I don't think I over-curved it enough as it has flattened out a bit more than I wanted - have also left it clamped up for longer to see if it will hold it's shape better, or version 2 will be made.
Neil.
A few lessons learnt on vacuum bagging:
- Don't start with something so complicated!
- Do make the bag much bigger than the part and you think you need - I managed to pop the first one where it overstretched in an inside corner
- No matter what you do, the bag will leak - a tank with vacuum would be a good addition to the setup
- The vacuum from the intake of a compressor works - it pulled the bag tight!
The part with the peelply and air-bleed material removed. I have left the part in the mould still and will de-mould it this evening. It hasn't come out too badly - there are areas that aren't great, but this whole part will be covered with foam and leather, so nothing that can't be sanded out or added to. By making the pattern in 5 different pieces that I can take apart, I'm hoping there's not too much drama involved in separating it all - I did cover it in clear packing tape, and painted mould release over that.....
Also made a cover for the console - this does have a bit of a curve to it. There is a layer of 3-ply plywood sandwiched by fiberglass - 1 layer underneath, 2 on top. I don't think I over-curved it enough as it has flattened out a bit more than I wanted - have also left it clamped up for longer to see if it will hold it's shape better, or version 2 will be made.
Neil.