Hi all,

I am starting to think about the body work and fiberglass. How realistic is it to do my own ?

I am in no rush to have it on the road. I am also aware that the long term cost will be more than of the shelf panels but as with the chassis it teaches you loads and the cost is spread out in dribs and drabs and best of all is the satisfaction of "I made that"

So whats your advice and opinions please

Oh yeh and chassis progress




cheers

I did my own panels and it cost me £300 for fibreglass materials
I had to make plugs, fill them and then take moulds off them.
Some moulds require to be made in 2 or three parts to get the panels out.
This requires making flanges on the plug, fiberglassing that section, removing the flange and then fibreglassing the next section.
It was a looooong process!

Made MDF/hardwood moulds, used topcoat plaster to create the edge curves and turned out both front and rear for a total cost of around £50.

Took a day, they need finishing with a sander and painting but very locost.

You can also make something to exactly fit your tyres !

Because the end product for wings will pull out you only need one hit.
Rescued attachment Buck less moulds and wings small.jpg

I'm doing my own bodywork - I think it will just be a case of get stuck in and have a go. I will probably get a 'how to' book from amazon. But for me its the most creative part of the build and thats what i'm interested in.

My final account for time and materials to do a Locost scuttle/nose/bonnet, and a set of wings, came to over £3,000 recently.

This was to make patterns to a specific set of lines, and produce moulds then a set of mouldings. (they were then wind tunnel tested, as part of an r&d project)

Make up your own mind based on that.

Cheers,
Syd.

warren my cousin robin has the moulds for all the locost pannels, hes doing richard a set in kevlar atm, i'll give you a shout when he gets them if you like

I should add, I have never fibreglassed or used resin to make anything before.

Once you have organised yourself its very straight forward, you will need some disposable gloves as its a bit messy.

I would definately do it again, the finish I achieved is not good enough for resale, but as I will sand down and spray a shiny gel coat does not matter.

Used my usual approach, ten minutes reading, then got on with it.

I would not bother with a nose cone, far too complex, scuttle would be okay but I made one from Ali so it did not apply.

For me luckily it was not the money but doing as much as I can.

Regards Mark

I don't think there is much of a cost saving although you can't beat the satisfaction of creating it yourself and you will have it the right size too.

I don't like working with FG; it is an unpleasantly sticky business and why rot your lungs with the fumes?

As said above - the resin is exceptionally smelly and can permeate a long way - it's a great way to upset partners/neighbours/etc. I also hate handling fibreglass mat as it always makes me itch, and some people end up with an allergy to the resin (but polyester is nowhere as bad for this as epoxy).

My choice was to buy these parts - life is too short...

David

I made moulds from ally/mdf/plaster.

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=making%20panels.jpg and laid up straight into them.

One mould required for front arches and one for rear.

Also made mould for rear panel by putting wood in the right place, spreading apart slightly to allow for f/g thickness, screwed together, taken off car and laid up.

Side panels - two pieces of wood (need two for the bend in the middle) - something for the sides of mould (for the lip) and lay up.

Moulds dirt cheap, probably 30 quid.

Do it

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 3/7/06 by Simon]

[Edited on 3/7/06 by Simon]

[Edited on 3/7/06 by Simon]

quote:

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Originally posted by Syd Bridge
My final account for time and materials to do a Locost scuttle/nose/bonnet, and a set of wings, came to over £3,000 recently.

This was to make patterns to a specific set of lines, and produce moulds then a set of mouldings. (they were then wind tunnel tested, as part of an r&d project)

Make up your own mind based on that.

Cheers,
Syd.

---

Thanks again guys.

body is on hold for a bit

Ordered the new exhaust today and I will try and get the engine running soon.

Hole lot may be on hold for a bit as I may be changing jobs.

Still An extra £££ per year will help

Oh yeh look forward to seeing Richards car Graeme.......

Question for Mark and Simon, Male or female molds?
Dale

Been there, done that, won't be doing it again. It's a lot of work, but also satisfying. You can read all about it on my site.