how to: repair race fiberglass

csideblue · 12-30-2005, 07:23 AM

all items can be bought at your local auto parts store, Home Depot, or Lowes.

(disclaimer: i know someone will have a different way of doing this. i am simply posting a how i repair fiberglass. there are many different ways to repair fiberglass but i've found doing it this way is best IMO. holla!)

tools / products needed:

orbital sander with 80/120/400 grit sandpaper (it can be done by all hand BUT the sander saves time ... trust me!)

rotary tool with sanding bit

fiberglass mat - you can use fiberglass cloth but the mat work better

fiberglass resin / resin hardener

paint thinner or acetone / tin can for cleaning brush after use

baby powder ... just listen

paper plates

1 1/2 inch paint brush

(optional: glazing spot putty and plastic spreader ... see pic below)

items not pictured:
400 grit sandpaper sheets.
latex gloves
sponge

i am repairing my lower fairing where the dzus fastener was ripped out.

1. remove frayed edges with rotary tool or sander

2. use sander/80 grit to scuff repair area. wipe down with wet sponge to remove any dust.

3. cut fiberglass mat slightly smaller than the total area to be covered. i use a piece on the outside and one one the inside of the fairing for strength.

4. mix fiberglass resin and baby powder onto paper plate (about 2oz per for a small job like this, give or take). the baby powder thickens the resin so it doesn't run all over the place when curing. it also removes a lot of the air bubbles. keep adding powder until it's the consistency of pancake batter (yes pancake batter* .. shit, i couldn't think of anything else*

)

5. add about 10-12 drops of hardener to resin/powder and mix throughly. you might use more/less depending on the size of the repair.

6. dab resin onto fairing with paint brush, just enough for a thin film.

7. apply fiberglass mat to both inside and outside of fairing. use brush to dab on more resin, enough to saturate the mat and surrounding area about 1/2 inch. DO NOT brush resin onto mat as this will slide the mat all over the place. just dab it baby. allow about 2 hours for resin to cure. it should look like this when cured. see below.

8. use sander/80 grit to knock off the high stuff from the inside/outside of fairing. use 400 grit to smooth out and blend in with the rest of the fairing. wipe down with wet sponge to remove any dust. see below.

9. (optional) i apply spot putty to fill in any pits or low spots. only on the outside though as the inside is never seen.

let dry 20mins, use sander/120 grit, then smooth out by hand using 400 grit. wipe down with wet sponge to remove any dust.

11. it should look like this.

12. re-drill the fastener hole and it's ready for primer/paint.

post any questions/comments you may have.

.

Mustang · 12-30-2005, 07:59 AM

looking good Ali

csideblue · 12-31-2005, 01:08 PM

thank you sir*

12-30-2005, 07:23 AM	#1
csideblue AMA Racer Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 236	all items can be bought at your local auto parts store, Home Depot, or Lowes. (disclaimer: i know someone will have a different way of doing this. i am simply posting a how i repair fiberglass. there are many different ways to repair fiberglass but i've found doing it this way is best IMO. holla!) tools / products needed: orbital sander with 80/120/400 grit sandpaper (it can be done by all hand BUT the sander saves time ... trust me!) rotary tool with sanding bit fiberglass mat - you can use fiberglass cloth but the mat work better fiberglass resin / resin hardener paint thinner or acetone / tin can for cleaning brush after use baby powder ... just listen paper plates 1 1/2 inch paint brush (optional: glazing spot putty and plastic spreader ... see pic below) items not pictured: 400 grit sandpaper sheets. latex gloves sponge i am repairing my lower fairing where the dzus fastener was ripped out. 1. remove frayed edges with rotary tool or sander 2. use sander/80 grit to scuff repair area. wipe down with wet sponge to remove any dust. 3. cut fiberglass mat slightly smaller than the total area to be covered. i use a piece on the outside and one one the inside of the fairing for strength. 4. mix fiberglass resin and baby powder onto paper plate (about 2oz per for a small job like this, give or take). the baby powder thickens the resin so it doesn't run all over the place when curing. it also removes a lot of the air bubbles. keep adding powder until it's the consistency of pancake batter (yes pancake batter* .. shit, i couldn't think of anything else* ) 5. add about 10-12 drops of hardener to resin/powder and mix throughly. you might use more/less depending on the size of the repair. 6. dab resin onto fairing with paint brush, just enough for a thin film. 7. apply fiberglass mat to both inside and outside of fairing. use brush to dab on more resin, enough to saturate the mat and surrounding area about 1/2 inch. DO NOT brush resin onto mat as this will slide the mat all over the place. just dab it baby. allow about 2 hours for resin to cure. it should look like this when cured. see below. 8. use sander/80 grit to knock off the high stuff from the inside/outside of fairing. use 400 grit to smooth out and blend in with the rest of the fairing. wipe down with wet sponge to remove any dust. see below. 9. (optional) i apply spot putty to fill in any pits or low spots. only on the outside though as the inside is never seen. let dry 20mins, use sander/120 grit, then smooth out by hand using 400 grit. wipe down with wet sponge to remove any dust. 11. it should look like this. 12. re-drill the fastener hole and it's ready for primer/paint. post any questions/comments you may have. . __________________ Ali - CCS Am #831 / WERA West Am #831<br /><br />need a bike painted? ... pm me for a quote/pics.

12-31-2005, 01:08 PM	#3
csideblue AMA Racer Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 236	thank you sir* __________________ Ali - CCS Am #831 / WERA West Am #831<br /><br />need a bike painted? ... pm me for a quote/pics.

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