Gt-12

[superds]

Would that mean you could potentially mold all those other plastics too, like Lexan and such? Hmmm... This could open up some more ideas for me. thx

I suppose I can wait for your next build post tho, with pics and details, so you can show us all.

Yes, many other plastics can be molded. In fact, most thermoplastics can be molded starting from sheet plastic (including Lexan, who's generic name is polycarbonate).

And, ahead of your next question, a thermoplastic is the subcategory of plastics that can be reformed into a new shape. A key characteristic is that it becomes softer when heated. On the other hand, there are plastics known as thermosets, these materials do not become soft to be able to remold them when heated, they generally just become charred. An example of a thermoset that you commonly see is epoxy, such as JB Weld or other similar substances.

 

[BONES]

Cool! Thx!

Great info.

This should be a thread on here, "how to" type stuff. Don't y'all think?

 

[AgPete139]

Very informative. I was curious about the reshaping, too. Where are you acquiring your plastic sheets? Are they like 1/16" thick, or what?

As far as the headlights go, I think I'd like the Frenched idea better. The 280Z are one of my favorites, and whenever I see someone's car with the plexi covers, I grit my teeth a tad. However, on that E-type, it suits it.

Besides, the worst thing that happens if you don't like the covers is that you can start over or scrap it.

 

[gwaii]

Very informative. I was curious about the reshaping, too. Where are you acquiring your plastic sheets? Are they like 1/16" thick, or what?

As far as the headlights go, I think I'd like the Frenched idea better. The 280Z are one of my favorites, and whenever I see someone's car with the plexi covers, I grit my teeth a tad. However, on that E-type, it suits it.

Besides, the worst thing that happens if you don't like the covers is that you can start over or scrap it.

i'm using 1/8 plexiglass-it's available in 4x8' sheets from pretty much any building supply in a variety of thicknesses.

the headlights will still be frenched,they need to be to clear the covers as they stick out too far stock.
and like you said,if the covers look stupid,i can just take them off.

 

[gwaii]

Yes, many other plastics can be molded. In fact, most thermoplastics can be molded starting from sheet plastic (including Lexan, who's generic name is polycarbonate).

And, ahead of your next question, a thermoplastic is the subcategory of plastics that can be reformed into a new shape. A key characteristic is that it becomes softer when heated. On the other hand, there are plastics known as thermosets, these materials do not become soft to be able to remold them when heated, they generally just become charred. An example of a thermoset that you commonly see is epoxy, such as JB Weld or other similar substances.

another example of a thermoset is the polyester resin used with fiberglass.
that is why i am using it to make the form with.once it's made i can mold the hot plexi over it without the mold melting or distorting.
another important point is that the foam i'm using as my core is a urethane foam,not styrene so it is not affected by the fiberglass resin,and it also is a thermoset so it won't melt.

 

[gwaii]

Cool! Thx!

Great info.

This should be a thread on here, "how to" type stuff. Don't y'all think?

this whole thread is sort of like that.that's why i go into so much detail about what i'm doing-i want others to get some ideas about how they can do stuff for their own rigs.

 

[BONES]

Well it's working man!! For me anyways.

Almost needs to be advertised to all users on here.

The school of fabrication by Gwaii thread!!

So how goes the project?

I actually dig the clear light covers and Frenching the lights back into the fender further idea..... when there was talk about Frenching them earlier, those plastic covers were exactly what popped in my head. Boost the aerodynamics a bit too I bet, side benefits.

 

[AgPete139]

Thank you, too, BTW. We are often saying "Nice rig...cool idea!", but we rarely are commenting how we are learning in this thread. Some of us don't have friends that weld or know to customize rear suspensions, while other have never even heard of inboard brakes.

You can make about 4-5 different articles for the tech section, in here.




.

 

[gwaii]

Well it's working man!! For me anyways.

Almost needs to be advertised to all users on here.

The school of fabrication by Gwaii thread!!

So how goes the project?

Thank you, too, BTW. We are often saying "Nice rig...cool idea!", but we rarely are commenting how we are learning in this thread. Some of us don't have friends that weld or know to customize rear suspensions, while other have never even heard of inboard brakes.

You can make about 4-5 different articles for the tech section, in here.

that's what sites like this should be about...spread some of our accumulated experience around.
as for the project,

i just put the first layer of fiberglass on.this needs to set up so the second can go on,then gelcoat to make a smooth surface.

one thing to keep in mind here is that this will be the inside surface of the finished part,so it has to be made smaller by the thickness of the plastic being used to make the part itself.
the foam had to be carved smaller yet,because i had to consider the thickness of the fiberglass as well.the plastic is 1/8'',and i gave another 1/8'' for fiberglass,so the plug was carved 1/4'' smaller than the outside surface of the cover.

another point,i found for working the foam,a hacksaw blade works good for roughing it out,then all shaping after that is done with 80 grit sandpaper.it's actually quite quick.

 

[BONES]

So you filled the headlight cavity with foam? what kind of foam? Like expanding mono type foam or just like packing foam?

Gel coat? Can you buy that stuff anywhere you buy fiberglass supplies? Is it a spray on type material?

 

[gwaii]

So you filled the headlight cavity with foam? what kind of foam? Like expanding mono type foam or just like packing foam?

Gel coat? Can you buy that stuff anywhere you buy fiberglass supplies? Is it a spray on type material?

the foam i use is actually a commercial roofing insulation,it comes in 4x8' sheets in a variety of thicknesses.i use 3'' mostly.the downside of it is that it has a paper coating on each side that needs to be peeled off,which is a pain.
urethane foam is also available from plastics shops for this very purpose,but they want a fortune for it-the insulation is about 1/5 the price.

do NOT use styrofoam,unless you are using epoxy resin($) as polyester resin will dissolve it.

gel coat is available wherever fiberglass supplies can be bought.it can be brushed or sprayed on.i use both application methods depending on what i'm doing.

i've also used this material to make much larger items.

as you can see,if you can imagine it,you can make it.

 

[Josh40601]

Is that a cougar or Taurus?

 

[gwaii]

cougar headlights.

the rest just sort of happened.

 

[Josh40601]

what.... is that? Wait, is that the wheelie bronco?

 

[gwaii]

what.... is that? Wait, is that the wheelie bronco?

no,that's a whole other story....i might get into that some other time.