Just wondering, what would go into making a custom body kit out of fiberglass, besides hours of labor, how difficult would it be and has anyone done it?
SunfireIke24 wrote:Just wondering, what would go into making a custom body kit out of fiberglass, besides hours of labor...
Many, many hours. I've spent about 45 hours just on my rear bumper and one sideskirt, and I haven't even begun 'glassing yet.
SunfireIke24 wrote:...how difficult would it be...
It's not all that hard if you have worked with fiberglass before, and you have patience. Patience is the main thing.
SunfireIke24 wrote:...and has anyone done it?
I'm doing it now
If you want to get started, I'd say pick up a bunch of floral foam ( I don't know the exact name of the stuff, but it's green and you'll find it in the crafts section @ Wal-Mart or a craft store) and a good hot-glue gun. After that, buy some quality fiberglass materials, not Bondo brand. I'd get an epoxy based resin, Bondo brand is polyester.
When you have your supplies, figure out what you want to do first (front/rear bumper, sideskirts). I started on the rear since it's easiest to remove. Take off the bumper, then go nuts with the foam and hot-glue. When you have all of your foam in place, begin cutting and shaping until it looks just the way you want it. The floral foam is VERY easy to work with. You could shape it with your fingers if you wanted. I usually use a large razor blade and a sanding block with 80 grit sandpaper, then do the final shaping around corners and edges with my fingers.
If you have any questions just PM me.
With two people in the shop we have made custom kits before.
On one car two professional fiberglassers took 40 hours just to do a rear bumper moulded to the car and we already had the majority of teh basis for teh bumper.
Front bumper took us about 60 hours of work. You have to remember that when you do this to the front (or back for that matter) your changing a lot of your aerodynamics. Not only is this going to affect fuel economy but it's also going to affect performance (providing you care about how your car performs).
To be honest it's probably not worth your time and money to make your own body and it will end up costing you about the same in materials, and time as it would to just purchase a whole kit.
I don't mean to offend you but most people who are capable and have the knowledge to do so know what it takes to do and I gotta admit it's really difficult and will take A LOT of patience. The only thing I would caution you about if you do wanna continue and make one is to talk to you local fiberglass shop (boat shops usually have one), in the heat fiberglass that is very thick and heavy has a tendancy to crack and split especially if there are weak points in it.
hope this info helps
thanks guys, you both were really helpful.
rowdi the only reason im interested in making my own kit is because I want to do a wide body sunfire, and the only thing remotely close that is available is that ugly a$$ millenium kit.
^^^or you could get a premade fiberglass kit, and then put the widebody on, then add to the existing kit to match. would be much easier, and save a ton of time.
RIP Saint ........ JBO
Yeah I hear ya. I wish there was a half decent wide body kit for the cavalier too.
Well if your going to do it do your research and do it right.
It's gonna cost ya a lotta money, sore muscles and time.
Good luck
thanks guys, might be a bit more than i can handle so i think im going to do rk sports kit.
one of the guys i worked with, bought a kit and fender flares, cut the front and rear bumper down the middle spaced it, filled it put it on and went from there
many changes in the making
my favorite part about doing bodywork,.......... bondo bugers
Yea, if you are asking this question, then I think this project would be very overwhemling for you. Not sure if you have done other fiberglass projects, but I've found out how long it takes to simply fiberglass my door panels. If you do decide to do it tho, I would suggest what everyone else has. Buy a kit and modify it. Much easier if you have a base.
Wide Body Progress
it took my boyfriend and friend over 200 hrs to design , mold and get the kit made for my cobalt.
~*~*DONNA MARIE*~*~
2002 Yellow Cav LS sport (aka BadG1rl)
2006 Chevy Cobalt SS/SC Twin Charged
FPOC Model 2005
http://www.cardomain.com/id/1badg1rl
holy mother of god that thing is tits!!!
must see more pics
holy ish, nice friggin cobalt, i want more pics!!!
HOLY CRAP!! I want even more pics of that cobalt!! that is hot!
OMG - that IS one sexxy beast.
Wonder if your bf loves the car or you more?
RIP JessE -- You are not forgotten! |
FaceBook |
G+ 
i want a cobalt so freakin BAD!!!!! ima just wait till the price on them lowers and all the companies can make stuff for them
then its smooth sailing
CHECK OUT MY DOMAIN!!
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2236703
