Fiberglass Mold Fabrication?

[bearking]

Hello,

I'm new to forum. Can anyone offer me any information regarding the costs, and ease-of-use in fabricating/using fiberglass molds? I am in the process of setting up a fabrication area in order to produce fender flares.

In addition, what type of fiberglass would work best in this type of application?

Heading me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Wayne

[theworks]

this might help www.racingcomposites.net

[Vette Mech]

a visit to a boat factory would be enlightining.
The molds they use to build some of the boats...like 4 Winns are hand made fiberglass molds.
They spray the molds with a release agent ( I think its some type of soap) and then they spray in the gelcoat and then use a chopper to shoot resins and strand fiberglass. Ive seen choppers for less than 1000.

Or visit a fiberglass hot tub maufacturer. They use those choppers ffor all kinds of small items like picture and mirror frames....and junk

you could do that with fender flares pretty easy. I was thinking about doing that for custom body panels hoods front ends for corvettes.

I think the hardest part would be building the mold because first you have to make the positive ( or buy one)...then make the mold from that.. a little time consuming ... but it might be worth it.

My Avatar is a Zora Arkus Duntov Corvette... the hood has special openings for air intake. I was going to copy those, I want to change them a little. Duntov can keep the headlights I dont like those

I didnt paint that one... just did a bunch of engine work and wheeled the clear coat. It shined up pretty good for a old paint job.
my 2 cents

[bearking]

Great advice -- Thanks!