22 replies to this topic

[TazN]

Hi guys, I'm replacing my leaking original radiator and found that the surround still has some damage from when it was written off. I'm sure I can repair it but not sure what would be best. Would p38/40 be suitable? (no idea what the difference is) or is there something else better suited? If I do repair it will I need to reinforce it with anything? The crash box has a small crack down the offside at the very bottom. How should I go about repairing this? I wouldn't normally repair something like the crashbox but the damage is maybe 2" and is not on any of the tubing so figured it should be fine. Cheers in advance

[JohnTurbo]

Chopped fibreglass in a tub is great for rad surround. The same would work on the crashbox...as long as its only the lip.

[The Batman]

Shouldn't repair a crash box.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

I saw a crash box on flea bay recently I look and see if it's still there

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

uk lotus has one and village fox has one for sale £400 ish

[TazN]

Read alot of negative views on the aftermarket crashbox and I'm inclined to follow as it wont have been tested (if at all) to the same standards as the oem one. Joe, have a look on my project thread for a pic. I'm annoyed it's been left like it but it is pretty small and still in situ, no drop or anything. I could probably leave it and it would work perfectly fine but I just want to tidy it up, a good clean would probably make it look 10x better. Excuse my lack of knowledge on all things fibreglass. Would I need to use some sort of resin with the strands (what kind) and just use something to support it till it sets, then reinforce the underside? Would a strand mat be suitable?

Edited by TazN, 29 January 2013 - 11:24 AM.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

No what you mean about the after market crashbox grp is a 2 part resin and catalist as said previously get some fibre glass matt chop it up in to little bits add it to the pot of mixed resin and apply One of the resident fibre glass experts can give you a better explanation of how to do it but really I personally don't think it's that hard to do.

[FLD]

Shouldn't repair a crash box.

yes you can. As long as its only the lip part. Its somewhere in the TIS. OEM crashbox is not straight forward CSM right through, it has high tensile stuff down the crush tubes at 45 degrees. This is what gives it the impact strength (and stringyness post crash!). Repairing the lip can be done with CSM and polyester as long as you vee out / key the area first. The strange 'cheesecloth' like pattern is just a surface layer to keep the fibres in during moulding as the OE one is made via closed mould.

The rad surround can be a ball ache as its PU foam so isn't the easiest to bond to. Take off the glossy surface withsome P60 paper and polyester / CSM should stick OK but epoxy would be better.

Hope that helps?

Edited by FLD, 29 January 2013 - 02:33 PM.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

see ! This place is great there is always some who knows what the fcuk to do

[TazN]

Indeed they do! I thought FLD might hold the key being the knowledge of all fiberglass. Now has anyone got a dictionary/thesaurus to help decipher it all lol. CSM (chopped strand mat?) CSM + polyester - ?? PU foam (polyurathene?) Epoxy (resin?) I'm sure I can figure out how to use the stuff just need to know what that is! Best place to get it online? Or would halfrauds have any?

[FLD]

Indeed they do! I thought FLD might hold the key being the knowledge of all fiberglass. Now has anyone got a dictionary/thesaurus to help decipher it all lol.

CSM (chopped strand mat?)
CSM + polyester - ??
PU foam (polyurathene?)
Epoxy (resin?)

I'm sure I can figure out how to use the stuff just need to know what that is! Best place to get it online? Or would halfrauds have any?

CSM (chopped strand mat?) Yep
CSM + polyester - ?? Polyester resin (cheap sh1t)
PU foam (polyurathene?) Yep.
Epoxy (resin?) Yep, resin (bit more pricey but waaaaaay better)

Try browsing east coast fibreglass or easy composites websites

[TazN]

Excellent!

Had a look through and abit confused over resins. I get epoxy resin but there seems to be many different kinds!

Powder Bound 300g csm looks suitable
http://www.easycompo...-per-metre.aspx
and then use laminating resin?
http://www.easycompo...ting-resin.aspx

As a beginner would a slow cure resin be easier to work with by allowing a longer working period?

Thanks for all your help and advice so far FLD

[FLD]

In this weather slow cure resin will take days to cure, Fast cure will be overnight at least! You'll also find its VERY viscous because of the cold too . These are just the downsides of all epoxy resins I'm afraid, your choices are what I'd use. You can leave epoxy on a radiator for a while to make it runnier . If you are doing it now I'd probably use polyester just through ease of use (and price, I'm a yorkshireman!).

Summat like this:
http://www.ecfibregl...-450g-15oz.aspx
http://www.ecfibregl...g-catalyst.aspx

You may want this for the crashbox
http://www.ecfibregl...-jet-black.aspx

[Kieran McC]

http://www.ebay.co.u...cat=0&_from=R40

Alot safer Taz

[rob999]

Or try pm'ing ElizP or Junks Harry, they may have one if you don't fancy repairing it.

Edited by rob999, 29 January 2013 - 04:52 PM.

[TazN]

uklotus centre village fox I will have a look through the TIS and check the lip is fine to repair and that it is the part I would think it relates too. Cheers for the thought and search though kieran. FLD, many thanks for those links. Will have a closer look and readup tonight as I have to leave work sharp for an interview. Rob I've already tried Liz for both but nothing in atm. I'm going to wait for the 'wing' part of the surround though as mine doesnt look anything like it - though it works absolutely fine. It's again me being picky on something you cant see... I might try junks though!

[Kieran McC]

Taz Try Dave at Eliese-Spares .com He has broken a couple of VXs they are near Diss

[TazN]

Cheers shall drop him a line.

[TazN]

Right quite morning at work has allowed me to have a look at eastcoast site abit more. CSM + resin + pigment is comming in at about £26.

They do have this starter kit which looks to be the same stuff plus some ppe does that look correct FLD? Slightly worried there isn't enough resin for a 2.5:1 mix but I would hardly use half the mat so should still provide enough?

http://www.ecfibregl...k-ral-9005.aspx

[FLD]

Either would do the job. Whats the 2.5:1 mix? Usually you add a 1-2% measure of catalyst to this type of resin.