fiberglass center concels

[lt1chevelle]

i want to make a fiberglass center concel for my 65 chevelle and had some ?'s. i was woundering if i could shape the concel out of stirufome(sp?) then once i have it how i like it lay some type of cloth over it and put resin over the cloth and then start the layers of fiberglass? if any one has and tips or info that would help me out send it my way!!
thanks

[Wall]

Well the problem is the fiberglass resin will melt the styrofoam, I found that out years ago when I tried mixing some resin in a styrofoam cup. I've made some door panels and kick panels in the past and I basically built standoffs or a skeleton and stretched grill cloth over it to get the shape then add fiberglass on top of it. I've also seen people use the real stretchy carpet that has no backing instead of grill cloth, it makes for a more rigid surface than the grill cloth once you add the resin.

[rockdogz]

I've gotten my feet wet with fiberglass work recently, and while I'm far from an expert I've done some reading about it. Aluminum foil is frequently used because the resin won't stick to it. So, you could probably make the basic shape out of foam and then put foil on top, and then start glassing that. (a hint with foil - use spray adhesive to attach it)

Alternatively, you could use MDF for the basic shape and stretch fleece over top of it (staple gun it or super-glue it into place) and then drench it in resin. Then, add mat for strength.

I found some good info from the forums at http://www.the12volt.com.

[ProTouring442]

Go to your local Home Depot, there is a foam insulation there that is sort of gold or brown. Try that, it doesn't melt. Alternatively, try the "instant insulation" stuff that can also be glassed over.

Finally, regular Styrofoam can be glassed over if you coat it with two or three coats of latex house paint. Just make sure you don't leave any place for the resin to get through!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[HzEmall]

We use styrofoam all the time, we just tape over it with green 3m tape then glass to it. In fact I will be doing this real soon for the console in my Regal.

If you look on our site, there is a Fiat Sypder that we did this process with for the custom dash.

[ProTouring442]

Never thought of the green tape... though latex house paint is probably cheaper, green tape is definitely faster! Cool idea, thanks!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"

[boodlefoof]

I've made male fiberglass molds with green blocks of floral foam. The stuff sands very easily and doesn't interact with the resin (at least the polyester resin I used). I still cover it with tape though.