rich201283
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:16 PM |
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Has anyone made a hardtop out of fibreglass?
Has anyone made a hardtop out of fibreglass?, Here is my effort.
The plan is to lay fibreglass over the foam to get the shape
 
Description
 
Description
 
Description
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owelly
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:27 PM |
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Here's mine. Not se7eny but you get the idea.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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macc man
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:30 PM |
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The only problem with your method is you will not get a smooth gelcoat finish. You realy need to make a mould and take a copy from it. This is a big
job and very time consuming. The only other way is to cover in filler and rub it to a finish. Again a very laborious job. Best of luck.
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:31 PM |
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I've got one in the back of the garage as a possible project once I'm on the road. Got it for 99p last year! 
Bit on the heavy side but I reckon it might be OK when I've done some fettling 
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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mistergrumpy
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:33 PM |
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This fella in America has.
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rich201283
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:34 PM |
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Yeah that was my idea - Fibreglass over - Fill and sand - Then paint
Saves making a plug
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bob
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:38 PM |
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Chippy has made a nice fibreglass hardtop.
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tegwin
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 05:49 PM |
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Thats pretty tidy so far.
One issue you may have though... fibreglass does NOT light forming around tight bends. You really need to radius all those square edges you have,
otherwise you will struggle to get strength and good finish.
It is possible to do it as you propose with fibreglass layed on top, you will need some surface tissue and a LOT of filler... it will end up weighing
quite a bit though and unless its suitably rigid, the filler will crack eventually.
Keep at it though, looks nice. :-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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steve m
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 06:49 PM |
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If i was to do one, i would get it as smooth as possible and cover it in black leatherette, and you will transform yourself
back into the 70's !
but it would also look like a soft top ?
Steve
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Dusty
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 08:29 PM |
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I'm sorry but I think that doesn't look as good as a nice soft top. Can you perhaps put some curve into the roof and have the back at an
angle down to the rear of the boot or even try to copy the shape of a soft top with it's high crossbar over your head.
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rich201283
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 09:56 PM |
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One thing i did see is some people seem to b using plaster over foam to shape then painting then pva.
I could then get the curves and get it as smooth as possible.
Has anyone used plaster?
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Chippy
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| posted on 1/12/11 at 11:08 PM |
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Heres one I made earlier, also rear view on my avatar. Cheers Ray
[img]
 
Showing vent
[/img]
This was the mock up in timber, I them glassed over this, filled and painted.
[img]
 
Description
[/img]
[Edited on 1-12-11 by Chippy]
To make a car go faster, just add lightness. Colin Chapman - OR - fit a bigger engine. Chippy
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rich201283
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| posted on 15/2/12 at 10:17 AM |
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I have started again and am in the process of making a hartop out of ply and mdf
 
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svante
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| posted on 15/2/12 at 10:39 AM |
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I started, but havent finished yet...
Had problems deciding on the doors since they have to go up on the roof.
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rich201283
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| posted on 15/2/12 at 08:23 PM |
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Hi
That looks really good, What did you use to form the door post?
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Andybarbet
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| posted on 15/2/12 at 08:31 PM |
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Im really interested in your progress, i found some pics of a caterham hardtop
 
Caterham hardtop
 
Caterham hardtop 1
 
caterham hardtop 2
Looks pretty good
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dray13dad
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| posted on 15/2/12 at 08:43 PM |
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Had fibre glass one on my locost was like being a pea in a tin can at 70mph was glad to sell it for 99p last year.
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svante
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| posted on 16/2/12 at 07:41 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by rich201283
Hi
That looks really good, What did you use to form the door post?
First i made a cardboard template (actually more than 10 different), and then transfered it to 0,3mm Aluminium.. After that its just bending and trial
fit. When i was satisfied i made one in 1,5mm aluminium.. Its the 0,3mm that is on the picture.
[Edited on 16/2/12 by svante]
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rich201283
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| posted on 16/2/12 at 10:20 AM |
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Just been doing the sides this morning out of foam so i can get the thickness of the door to close against
 
Description
 
Description
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D Beddows
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| posted on 16/2/12 at 10:36 AM |
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Sorry, couldn't resist
Coat on, door open etc etc
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svante
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| posted on 21/3/12 at 08:07 AM |
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The hardtop has been put on hold, some problems occured with the doors so i got tired of it....
The current project is a rear decklid in fibreglass.
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Westy1994
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| posted on 12/4/12 at 01:47 AM |
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I too am planning on doing a hardtop, although not entirely sure of the best method of making the plug. I have done some pretty pictures on the PC of
what I want, but now the real work begins. Rather than make a fairly flat roof ( as a soft top might look like ) I would like a slightly rounder shape
to the whole thing, this poses a few problems however.
Has anyone got any advise on how to go about this, I have a few ideas, but just thought I would throw the question out there.
Cheers.
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svante
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| posted on 12/4/12 at 07:48 AM |
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The easiest way is to make a mold on a car roof, a small hatchback usually has nice curvature. I tried that first, I put plastic protection on first
to avoid damage to the roof. I wasnt satisfied with the sides so it got scrapped. The next one was built up from fibreboard:
The mold went ok but I guess its easier to build the plug on the car itself.
Sides and doors are the most difficult parts to make. I have the plasted roof standing in a corner, maybe i will continue some day.
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Westy1994
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| posted on 14/4/12 at 01:18 PM |
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Thanks for that, yes, one of my plans was to take a mold from an already existing roof shape. I am picking up an old Spitfire MK3 hardtop in the next
few weeks to experiment with. I figured the doors would be a pain as well, as I would like these in F' glass to help minimise any leaks from
flapping doors in the wind.
Like the fibreboard idea , I will see how my Spitty roof goes first as that saves me a lot of work, but failing that I will try your idea.
If I get anywhere with this, I will post up some pics .
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AllWeatherDan
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| posted on 24/4/12 at 11:19 AM |
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Any News?
I'm looking into something like this myself!
Great little project!
Dan
There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Just the ones I ask!
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