How not to make a fiberglass seat/ How to make a fiberglass seat Trial & Error

[danmpls]

Here is where i started, the now normal florist foam. Also a healthy dose of hope that this would be a breeze.

I used an old hacksaw blade I had lying around to make some cuts before I started shaping with a sanding block.

It easily started to take shape. I decided when I was mocking up the foam that I would do two layer of foam for the base which would allow me to clean up the bottom of the seat without taking too much off. I hope.

So I picked up my supplies. Resin, hardener, foil brushes etc. I started wrapping the foam in foil. I didn't seems to think I would need to adhere the foil to the foam. I was wrong. I continued ahead and tried using fleece as a base for the seat. I tried to pull it tight, it was not working at all. So I abandoned the fleece and used just the foil to protect my model.

I started by mixing the resin and I followed the instructions that came with the product. I used the Matt fiber instead of the fiber cloth. I had purchased the cloth incase i didn't like the matt. I should have went with my gut and used the cloth instead of the matt. By the end of the disaster that was about to unfold the gloves I was wearing had more fiber matt on them than the seat I was making. Correction TRYING to make.

All I ended up with was this turd.

I was able to save my model, I reapplied the foil using a spray adhesive, which I had laying around.

I had also spent sometime reshaping my model, I am happier with it's shape now. So I have that going for me.

Here is the fleece I had decided against, I am now using it. With the spray adhesive it went on smooth as butter. And hopefully an excellent base for the next attempt.

I will be trying again, possibly tonight.

Here we go with a little Misfit inspiration.

Oh, here is the little number I want to saddle up on.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

If at first you don't succeed.... you're normal.
I perfer woven cloth too...
Some use it for the first couple of layers, then you can fill the inside with matt for more strength.

 

[Maritime]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

I did one, practie/first try, used cloth, then mat, then cloth, 3 layers, it ended up super strong. I can put it on the ground and walk across and it doesn't flex, won't crack etc. I just got some B-Day money and I am re-doing the seat for real this time. Things I learned, dab the resin on the cloth, don't spread. once the first layer is covered, put the matt down and smooth it to the first layer without any resin, then dab a coat of resin to it, then smooth a layer of cloth over, and dab resin on top of it. Pre-cut the cloth and mat before you start so you can work quickly. And good luck. I will be doing mine some night this week and will post my success/failure up. I just have to make a plug first and that is what is taking me the longest to get done. My first was just a straight flat seat I covered in vinyl, this time I am going to attempt something like yours with a tailight incorporated into it.

Cheers,

Maritime

 

[danmpls]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

Thanks for the encouraging words guys. I did my second attempt two nights ago and it turned out just fine. I really like the idea of filling the seat from the inside for added strength. I hadn't at all thought of that, I would have just kept adding to the exterior. I will be posting some new pictures of my seat that turned out when I am closer to finishing it. Maritime I hope your seat build goes well.

 

[Maritime]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

Cool can't wait to see pics. I am at the glued up foam stage, got the wiring all done under the seat area and glued everything up last night. Hope to get the foam shaped tonight but they are calling for thunder showers and I have to work in the yard, so we'll see.

Cheers,

 

[JRK5892]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

i like to stretch the fleece over it, makes removeal a bit easier and gives you some play room when cutting it down... as far as the fiberglass, pre cut it, will make applying it so much easier... i am not sure if you saw the "milk shake" but it is a bondo and fiberglass resin mix... when it is like 80% dry you sand on it, to get it to shape. makes things so so so much easier!

 

[danmpls]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

i like to stretch the fleece over it, makes removeal a bit easier and gives you some play room when cutting it down... as far as the fiberglass, pre cut it, will make applying it so much easier... i am not sure if you saw the "milk shake" but it is a bondo and fiberglass resin mix... when it is like 80% dry you sand on it, to get it to shape. makes things so so so much easier!

Oh yea I saw "milk shake". I totally used your seat build as a reference, it was very helpful too. Where do you think I came up with using fleece? I am having a hard time getting out to the garage for more than a few minutes lately. I will take some photos of where I am at, and make a new thread when the seat is complete.

 

[danmpls]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat.

Here we go with some success!

Cut the fiber cloth to fit, I used straight cuts at the corners to allow the cloth to drape a little better over the mold. I knew once the resin was applied it would start to stick on its own.

A beer in the garage is almost a requirement.

Started applying the resin to the fleece. Not real "heavy" just enough to make the cloth stick.

An even coat to cover the fleece. This seems a bit redundant to the pic above but whatever.

Started laying the cloth on and moved quickly so i could have time to apply the resin.

Applying the resin. At this point I was pretty stoked! It already looked more like a seat than my last attempt, I was some what relieved too.

After the "one piece" of cloth I decided to do a layer of "pieces". I'm not sure why, my reasoning was some overlapping in smaller areas for additional strength?

Shortly this is what I had on the table! Man was I REALLY stoked at this point.

Two in the pink one in the stink.
After this I rough sanded the "piece" layer and applied another cloth layer it really gives a smooth base to sand and start to add the bondo. I also used what i had left for material on the inside of the seat for added strength. So more pics to come as I start the body work phase!

 

[Roiber]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat/ How to make a fiberglass seat Trail & Err

That's a post I was looking for!!!!but u should also make a video!!!keep the pics and tips coming!!!!

 

[danmpls]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat/ How to make a fiberglass seat Trail & Err

That's a post I was looking for!!!!but u should also make a video!!!keep the pics and tips coming!!!!

Thanks man I was hoping to be able to help some folks out with my trial and error. As far as a video I am not that interesting to listen to, and since I have already made the seat I can't really go back and shoot any video. I am more than happy to go in to further explanation of any of the steps above. Go ahead and ask any and all questions.

 

[Rocan]

soon as i saw the last picture i started dying laughing... thats an ongoing joke in the shop i work at.


great work! makes me want to start glassing!

 

[Roiber]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat/ How to make a fiberglass seat Trail & Err

Thanks man I was hoping to be able to help some folks out with my trial and error. As far as a video I am not that interesting to listen to, and since I have already made the seat I can't really go back and shoot any video. I am more than happy to go in to further explanation of any of the steps above. Go ahead and ask any and all questions.

Thanx a lot man!! your steps were really clear
soon im going to get a "lesson" from an expert on fiberglass..so i will share with you all the tips his gonna give me

by the way..that anchor on your finger is rad man!!!

 

[danmpls]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat/ How to make a fiberglass seat Trail & Err

Thanx a lot man!! your steps were really clear
soon im going to get a "lesson" from an expert on fiberglass..so i will share with you all the tips his gonna give me

by the way..that anchor on your finger is rad man!!!

Thanks. The anchor is my wedding ring. If people ask "why an anchor?" i just tell them "A ball and chain would look stupid."

 

[trackfiend]

Awesome job, wish I had seen this before I ruined my plug I was making for my seat. Inspired to go back and do it again though after reading this. Any updated pics by chance?

 

[Maritime]

Seocnd try is much better. I am still at the glued up blocks of foam, hurricane Earl shagged up the only day this weekend I would hav ebeen able to work on it. I hope it doesn't raintonight and I can be at the same stage you are now. Let us know how the body work goes.

Cheers,

Maritime.

 

[pawn]

Re: How not to make a fiberglass seat/ How to make a fiberglass seat Trail & Err

Thanks. The anchor is my wedding ring. If people ask "why an anchor?" i just tell them "A ball and chain would look stupid."

nice. My wedding ring is an anchor as well.

 

[teazer]

Persistence wins every time. When I make a seat from scratch I first make a cardboard - yes cardboard - model. It's cheap and easy to get a shape going but hard to get three dimensional curves.

When I'm happy with teh card seat I usually spray it with rattle can and reinforce it if necessary - not often required. Then I use the smallest amount of body filler/bondo to fill in any dips. Rub that all down, another flash coat of paint and then wax it generously then one coat of PVA mold release.

Then I apply three layers of chopped strand mat and when that sets, I add a couple more plus a layer of glass cloth. When that's dry and if it's still teh right shape I add a wood frame 2'' x 1'' is enough.

Let that dry and harden and pull out the cardboard plug which of course is now ready for the bin. Repair any imperfections in the mold, trim it, add lots of coats of wax and one last coat of PVA and then pull the first sample seat out.

Now I use aluminum duct tape to add strength and a small degree of 3d to the curves, but that's about it.

For tanks I make a foam plug and that takes forever to get it right and tons of plaster (spackle) to fill the voids.

If I can get a sample to work from, I modify that to be the plug and it doesn't have to be strong or light - just the right shape and smooth. I'll use card and tape any day to get the shape I want. I recently lengthened and XR style seat and added a tool tray/lunch box inside. That wasn't pretty, but it works.

Keep it simple...

 

[Maritime]

I go tto work on mine last nite, shaping florist foam is soo easy. Got the shape, covered in tape and foil, got 1 layer of cloth on and it is nice and hard. Took pics with my sons discovery kids camera, my wife has ours away with her. I then found out the thing doesn't save the pictures if you turn it off, so I have 0 of the steps. I will try again tonight if I get a chance to layer up some more. Plan is to do one more layer on outside then let it harden and pull it off and remove plug and put a layer or 2 inside.

Cheers,

 

[danmpls]

I have had a busy week here, two sick kids. Work and some things I am trying to finish around the house are really keeping me out of the garage. I still feel like my seat is a little more flexible than I care for I think I am going to add another layer to the outside and inside and see if that feels better. In the few moments I have stole in the garage I have done some sanding, I am rather happy with the shape and cant wait to get it finished.

 

[jmj166]

post some pics if you can sometime, I'm about to start thinking about designs for my seat and seeing people made theirs without (to much) headache makes me want to start sooner.

keep up the good work.