Fiberglass Body

[3verse]

Well, I've spent some time doing more research, and I've decided on a fiberglass body for my build. Originally, I was going to rivet some body panels onto my frame, and then paint them -- keeping it simple. But I've decided that it would keep my RT lighter if I did a simple frame made for saftey and strength, and then made a fiberglass body to go over it all.

Does anyone have experience making their own body from fiberglass?

[3verse]

Since I'm using a VW type 1 front end, here are some pics of a kit car meant to work with a VW chassis. I'm thinking that I'll do something similar to this for my nose shape on the body.







What do you think? I'm not going to want to go much more aggressive than this with my first attempt at a DIY fiberglass body. Of course, I won't copy this design exactly, but this gives you a basic idea of what I might do with the front end.

[F3W]

Sorry 3verse...no pics...if you don't want the mess of fiberglass and want it light weight...why not use sheets of ABS...they come in various sizes of thickness and welds very easily with off the shelf ABS glue...a simple design can be made over your existing frame, cut the sheet to desired size and add some heat...wah lah!!!...it will take the form of almost any soft curve and hold its shape...and the shavings can be made into ABS glue with lacquer thinner...this stuff is so easy to work with...I have not yet made any big parts but can say it is easy to fabricate...why does every car manufacture use plastic interior parts or use plastic for air filter boxes...street rodders use these ABS sheets to make custom door panels and head liners...I saw a show on this stuff at a Goodguys hot rod show...the guy was amazing and I was definitely sold on how durable and tough and flexible and easy this ABS material was.

Just thought you might give it some research before taking a plunge with that messy stuff.

Dave

[3verse]

Yeah -- I need to fix those pics.

Do you have any pics as an example of what you're talking about? I am VERY interested in this idea.

[F3W]

Here is an example of a guy making his own tail light lenses with a sheet of red reflector ABS plastic.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcttXLha3ZU&NR=1#

Dave

[F3W]

Here is some more info on ABS plastic sheet material...I was impressed by the tensile strength of this stuff...4,300 psi!!!

www.dynalabcorp.com/technical_info_abs.asp

This should answer all your questions...I have also played with this stuff and was just impressed with how much you can do or make...I would think that you could probably use a heat resistant shaping foam to get your shape, then lay down your sheet and using a torch or a good heat gun, work from the center and work your way outward...the other great user friendly feature of this material that you can't do with fiberglass is you can reshape any area that you want...if you want to mold a scoop in your hood...just build the shape out of wood and have a friend go under the area and apply light pressure while you heat the area where the scoop will go...as the material softens, the area will take the shape of the part...remove the heat and allow to cool...now you have a scoop in your hood and you can cut out and opening if you want...if you want it to have a more professional look and want the intake area to have a nice return...then drill some holes in your plug that will get a vacuum source from a shop vac...this will give a nice professional look...I am still looking for more videos on this material...but the videos that show Plexiglas vacuum forming are the same...don't confuse ABS as being the same as Plexiglas...these are 2 completely different materials ;D

Dave

[3verse]

Do you have any pics of the material being used for entire bodies?

[F3W]

I believe that the Saturn uses ABS technology to make their body panels...other then that...no...I believe you would be the first unless someone has done it but not posted anything on the www

Here's another link that explains about fiberglass vs ABS.

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070507102521AAsHzvN

Dave

[3verse]

OK -- I will probably stick with fiberglass then since it's easier for using to make a one-piece body that fits over my RT. I'm making a prototype that may end up being a kit when I'm finished. By using fiberglass I'll be able to make more bodies like mine based on the initial mold I make for my first RT.

[curvecutter]

ABS can be used for other utilitarian projects. Here is a pic of the trunk floor I built for my Grinnall Scorpion. I used 1/4" thick black ABS. The sides were bent up using a strip heater and the corners are lapped and glued. The mounting points were doubled up for strength.

[F3W]

3verse, here is a link that explains a little about designing a good aerodynamic body.

www.cardesignonline.com/design/aerodynamics/aerodynamics2.php

Dave