BenB
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| posted on 12/4/11 at 05:20 PM |
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Good books for GRP/CF?
Anyone know of a good book for learning tricks of the trade for working with GRP/CF?
I've got (and read  ) this one
but I fancy something a bit more up to date with CF/kevlar/aramid composites and some more advanced techniques like vacuum bagging (IIRC that one just
talks about wet lay-ups, how to make a buck etc).
Going for the air speed record down the patch with my flying wing and it looks like a composite skinned special is in order...
Thanks for any leads!
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 13/4/11 at 01:41 PM |
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Hi
Two recommendations, and have used both to repair glass re-inforced plastic (GRP - 'fibreglass') and make moulds and panels:
1. Simon McBeath's 'Competition Car Composites - a practical handbook' published by Haynes.
Really practical book - how to build panels and wings in your shed. The author build's components for his own single seater hillclimb cars.
Useful info on mould making, as well as using the materials and not just grp but other composities too, including carbon fibre.
See: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Competition-Car-Composites-Practical-Handbook/dp/1844257010/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302700493&sr=8-1
; buy from Amazon, or Haynes website or Motorbooks shop in London or Oxford or their website. Motorbooks is the place for technical books, car
manuals, motorsport books and car marque titles.
2. Combined reprint of two excellent long-put of print Osprey books on grp car repair and painting by Miles Wilkins of Fibreglass Services, Arundell
who knows all about Lotus body repairs including the monocoque Mk1 Elite. This book - 'How to Restore Fibreglass Bodywork & How to Restore
Paintwork' - is available from Lotus Books in Germany; see: http://www.lotus-books.com/additions.html and order form:
http://www.lotus-books.com/order.html
This book is useful is you are repairing broken grp car components and repainting them. Note that to repair grp properly takes a lot of time,
including shallow angle grinding and relamination. Despite what Practical Classics says recently, you can't just do a simple filling in of a gel
crack, or just repair the gelcoat.
If you need materials try Allscot Ltd in Glasgow (http://www.allscotltd.co.uk/prodtype.asp ) or Glasplies (www.glasplies.co.uk ). I have found Allscot
vey helpful over the years, and are open late a night a week and on Sat mornings - they do retail sales and quanitities as well as trade. Glasplies
have been around a long time too. Both have helpful info, see: http://www.glasplies.co.uk/guidestogrpapplications and Allscot have a handy leaflet on
how to do grp work. I haven't got any connections with either company.
It is a messy job, that takes time. NB health and safety issues with contact of resin and fibres with skin, as well as issues with flammable materials
and grp that gets hot when it cures. Also watch out for fumes and glass particles when cutting fibres for layup and using the chemicals. You need a
workshop away from the house, not a garage next to the kitchen - fumes can move and taint food. Also watch out for all the sticky mess!
Good luck - it is definately a DIY job if approached with care.
Cheers
Mike
[Edited on 13/4/11 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 13/4/11 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 13/4/11 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 13/4/11 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 13/4/11 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 13/4/11 by Mike Wood]
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