Fibreglass Repair

Thing 1

In this little tutorial/how to, I'll be showing how to repair a large chip/chunk out of some side skirts

THINGS YOU NEED TO REPAIR THE SKIRT

• Fibre glass filler (normal filler but with fibreglass matting mixed in)
• Normal filler
• Sand paper
• Sanding block
• Wax and grease remover (prepsol)
• Small drill bit & drill (2 or 3 mm)

THINGS YOU NEED TO PROTECT YOURSELF **VERY IMPORTANT**

• long pants
• gloves
• long shirt and dust mask *very important*

The reason for all this, is you will be using filler with fibreglass in it.... when you sand the fibreglass the fine particles from the fibreglass are bad for your lungs and it will make you itchy, and if exposed enough can actually cause you a bit of pain when you have a shower  :(***

I take no responsibility for any thing that may or may not happen whilst you use these products etc.

Ok let’s get started

1: To start off sand the area you want repair a bit get it all roughed up

2: Drill some holes in the deepest part of the chip (I only put 3 in mine to give you an idea)

3: Wipe the area with some wax and grease remover

4: Mix up some of the fibreglass filler and apply it to the area making sure to push it all the way into the area and get rid of any little air bubbles

TIP don’t try and fill the chip in all at once.... it's easier to sand a little bit each time than have to spend along time sanding

5: Wait for the filler to dry, then sand it back a little

NOTE: See the holes here? ... they're air bubbles Basically a big cavity, you need to open up the hole and fill it in

6: Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 until the chip is almost completely filled in

7: Now mix up some normal filler

8: Apply the filler to the area and leave it to harden. From the back, put some filler through the holes you drilled and smear it across the back of the holes ... to act like a plug

9: Sand back the filler

TIP: I found it easier to wet sand it all for 2 reasons. 1, it was a lot smoother and worked a lot better, and 2, the paper stayed clean... didn’t fill up with crap

10: Wipe down with some wax and grease remover

11: Spray a little primer on it and check for any holes and high or low spots, and apply a little filler or sand where ever necessary and apply some more primer

And now you’re ready to put your colour on Just some things I found. Only mix just enough filler, a couple of times I didn’t even get the stuff on before it went hard because I had to take some pictures ....I may have put a little to much hardener in but still if you do that all the time, that's a lot of filler you're going to waste, and if you mix too much, that’s even more wasted. When sanding, use LOTS of water it keeps the paper clean and makes the job easier

Don't try and fill it all in at once ... I actually had 3 or 4 goes at it ... putting a little bit at a time

Thing 2

Ok so I spent Sunday on the end of a paint-brush, some fiber-glass and resin... fun and games

mesh insert for strength and support of the middle mounting point, glassed over with 3 layers.

Metal backing plate for more support on the mounting point, the shape and size of the metal was ground out of the plastic around the hole, overkill maybe... it looks like its been thinly glassed, but there is 2 layers there + the 3 on the inside. Problem shown next to it as an indicator

inner mounting point (near the radiator) glassed with 4 or so layers, came out really strong, quite pleased with the result.

Top of the other inner mounting point, nothing to glue back into place, so a mesh insert was made, and it was glassed over from behind, have done over the top, but no pics yet.

Cracked off guard mounting point, inside and outside glassed and cleaned up.

Have fully paid off my GTS1 wing copy from Cazz, so that will arrive this week some-time, I'm going away for 3 days so sanding and bogging willl have to start on thursday, got a wedding on the weekend, so I wont get much done till later next week.

dont be afraid to have a go at glass repairs, a $28 kit is all you'll need for something like what I'm doing, I'll have left-overs for sure. if you're not a complete fool with mechanics or DIY stuff, then give it a go, just make sure you wear the right protective equipment!

Compiled by

runnin4life, B.J.