Coroplast material

[joeld0803]

I need some input from you guys about using coroplast to build body panels and any experience tips at doing so.

I want to try to panel a body using it and fiberglass over it if that is possible. I guess I could buy some and experiment with it but wanted to ask opinions here first.

Plywood will be just too heavy and I am looking for another alternate method to get it done and keep the weight down to a minimal.

[DaveJ98092]

I'm not sure of which resin will work with the plastic of the coroplast, trial and error works. You will have to scuff up the surface some with like 600 grit and make sure no wax is on it.

There are 1000's of Political signs out there just free for the taking a few days after the election. Up here after 3 days the signs must come down but it never happens so if you snipe a few of the 4'X8' ones, SCORE.

Let us know how it works.

A long build up of streamlining by Craig Vetter of the Vetter fairings is a good place to get ideas. Over 60 chapters long. www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/Last%20Vetter%20Fairing.html#Feb_20_anchor

[joeld0803]

Thanks for the info.
Yea I need to get out in my truck and go snag up all the signs I can get my hands on. I have been reading articles about it but no one mentions anything about even trying fiberglass over it. They talk about glueing it together with epoxies and some silicones but you can't paint over silicone and I am just wondering if roughing it up would allow fiberglass to adhere to it.

I don't really want sharp pointed edges everywhere. I planned to try to round the corners to an extent and make it look decent but just don't know what I can get away with.

Experimentation is always fun I suppose.

[glassman]

Joel, I am pretty sure you are going to find that fiberglass will not adhere permanently to the material you are speaking about. Plastic and fiberglass are not usually good friends. What you will find is that it will adhere for a short time and then de-laminate very quickly with bumps in the road and weather. I think that it would make an excellent form to build your fiberglass body on and then remove the Coroplast material

BTW I COMPLETELY agree with you not using plywood. We are not building boats LOL. I am using urethane foam and polyester resin. The foam i am using is the stuff you will find at home depot with the foil on it. Light as heck and the fiberglass will penetrate the foam for a lasting bond (you must remove the foil). makes for some really light sandwich panels.

[joeld0803]

The foam panel is a good idea and you can buy it unfoiled down here as well. I just worry about the thickness is all. If they sell it in 1/4 inch that would work nice. I was actually thinking that the coroplast might allow it to stick somewhat but I hear you on the fact that the bumps may jar it loose but I was also considering drilling holes in it to allow the fiberglass to more or less anchor into it just not sure if that would work or not. Experimenting may be the way to go to try it out and also like you said I could build the fiberglass on top of the coroplast and then remove the completed panel and remove it and still have the body panel.

Fiberglass by itself is not very strong however and I was thinking the coroplast underneath would add strength and yet support as well and enable me to keep the fiberglass layer down to a minimum.

I will be working on the body probably in the spring and just trying to get some thoughts and ideas in advance.

I have been driving it a little and still need to get the brake lights on it and still have to work on the wiring but it is coming along. I will need to get a little bigger rear sprocket than the current 48 tooth rear so I am on the lookout for something along a 50-52 tooth. It seems to handle well so far but I have yet to really get it up to speed over 30 as I am limited to driving it on the road. I am hoping to get the registration done in the next few months once I get the rear lights and seat belts in it.

Thanks for the input.