Is this acceptable? (Fiberglassing question)

**cjrokke** · 11-22-2009, 05:37 PM

Alright so I'm about to start making the enclosure for my first Car PC. I've never fiberglassed before and am wondering if it is OK to like make a base then, after it dries, add to it. I am making toe case to fit on top of my dash. So I was thinking of laying foil or something on top of the dash (to stop it from molding to the dash it self) and laying fiberglass over the top of the foil to get a perfect fitting base. Then I was going to attach all my parts to the base and build a wood frame or something for the top and sides and fiberglass like you would a sub enclosure for the rest of it.

Does that sound like it will work?

**soundman98** · 11-22-2009, 07:02 PM

i have not layed any 'glass yet, but from the info that i have read, you are on the right track-- just make sure to roll out the foil so that it is as flat as possible.

i believe that you can also use painters tape for the same thing...

**cjrokke** · 11-22-2009, 07:48 PM

Painters tape? is that that blue masking tape or something else?

**soundman98** · 11-22-2009, 08:34 PM

yup! you basically just want to keep the resin from attaching to the stuff you don't want it to-- so serand wrap, tin foil, and painters tape seem to be the more popular options because they all seem to release with minimal effort from the form.

**cjrokke** · 11-22-2009, 09:26 PM

alright. thanks for the tip. Now I just need to figure out the layering. I'm assuming that the more layers, the stronger it is?

Also, is it better to apply the fiberglass cloth all torn up or in large pieces?

**djvillar** · 11-22-2009, 10:12 PM

Get the blue tape and mask everything plus some. Then Get some 3M adhesive spray. Spray the dull side of the tin foil. then slap that onto the masking tape. Now get some turtle wax. Wax and buff the tin foil a couple of times. Your tin foil is securely in place and when it come time to pop out the mold, it'll come right off no problem.

The purpose:
Masking tape is not a vapor barrier which means it porous and will soak up resin. The resin will then get onto the dash. The tin foil doesn't allow the resin to got through. The masking tape provides a surface for your tin foil to stick to, and being that the foil will have 3M on it, you can get a pretty perfect surface.

**cjrokke** · 11-22-2009, 10:14 PM

I see. Good to know. I dont want resin all over my vinyl dash!

**cjrokke** · 11-23-2009, 09:30 AM

I just realized. The area I'm covering is a pretty large area on my dash. I might need to piece together a couple sheets of foil. What would be the best way to do that?

**soundman98** · 11-23-2009, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by djvillar

Get the blue tape and mask everything plus some. Then Get some 3M adhesive spray. Spray the dull side of the tin foil. then slap that onto the masking tape. Now get some turtle wax. Wax and buff the tin foil a couple of times. Your tin foil is securely in place and when it come time to pop out the mold, it'll come right off no problem.

The purpose:
Masking tape is not a vapor barrier which means it porous and will soak up resin. The resin will then get onto the dash. The tin foil doesn't allow the resin to got through. The masking tape provides a surface for your tin foil to stick to, and being that the foil will have 3M on it, you can get a pretty perfect surface.

wow, i'm glad you chimed in before i encouraged him to screw up his dash...that could have been bad...

i *think* that the adhesive will hold the multiple sheets together so that the resin will not soak through.

**djvillar** · 11-23-2009, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by cjrokke

I might need to piece together a couple sheets of foil. What would be the best way to do that?

Like i said before you tape everything off then spray 3m on to the dull side of the foil. Let it tack up for a sec then slap it onto the masking tap. It'll be like contact paper... just slap it on.

Overlap the tape when you lay in down and cover way more then you think is needed. DEFINITELY over lap the foil. DO NOT put it edge to edge. I'd rather over lap the foil 6" and waste a bunch then overlap too little and find my dash soaked with resin. Overlapping the foil is whats going to keep you from spending hundreds on a new dash.