14 replies to this topic

[Toady]

I was having a discusion with someone the other day and they thought the body shell was made of a plastic resin style stuff? I thought it was made of fibre glass? Whose wrong???

[Zoobeef]

Them

[dannynewport]

I was having a discusion with someone the other day and they thought the body shell was made of a plastic resin style stuff? I thought it was made of fibre glass? Whose wrong???

Both of you......the bodywork is made of paper mache!

[techieboy]

GRP (glass reinforced platic) isn't it? Though I guess the gelcoat was a resin initially.

[mandarinvx]

It's not your normal fibreglass construction tho It uses a cheaper method where the fibres are compressed in a mold, which means far less resin is used - but also means the fibreglass isn't as strong *this is only what I've been told in the past btw

[Yellow_or_black?]

I was told that it's not fibreglass - that's a common misconception. Was told that it's layers of bonded stuff - fibres with gubbins; whereas fibreglass is - quelle surprise - just glass fibres. ETA: unless you were using 'fibreglass' to refer to FRP/GRP?

Edited by Yellow_or_black?, 21 August 2009 - 02:11 PM.

[fraser]

i thought the gel coat was put into the mould then pre preg fibre glass was presssed onto the back then compressed to remove the air bubbles. Thats the way i've made glass fibre panels in the past Edit to say: pre preg- fibre glass with a bonding agent/resin already mixed in, can be in matts or sprayed on

Edited by fraser, 21 August 2009 - 02:35 PM.

[Winstar]

I think it's the same method used as for the S2 elise body panels where the panels are injection moulded glass reinforced plastic which are then bonded together to form the clamshells.

[rsg]

I think it's the same method used as for the S2 elise body panels where the panels are injection moulded glass reinforced plastic which are then bonded together to form the clamshells.

most peoples impression of glass fibre is the chopped-strand matt type

[FLD]

It's not your normal fibreglass construction tho

It uses a cheaper method where the fibres are compressed in a mold, which means far less resin is used - but also means the fibreglass isn't as strong


*this is only what I've been told in the past btw

I think it's the same method used as for the S2 elise body panels where the panels are injection moulded glass reinforced plastic which are then bonded together to form the clamshells.

Both on the money! It is odd stuff neither really fibreglass or plastic. Its a process pioneered by renault where the fibres (of some type) are pressed in a closed mould (moulded both sides) then I believe a molten plastic is injected from one side. Its a poor quality plastic so very brittle hence the need for fibres. Where this does benefit is the cost of production with low labour rates and reliability of shape (every panel fits equally badly!).

[siztenboots]

all wrong , its made from these

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

all wrong , its made from these

yes but made with french crackers ...........

[Boss VX]

Im pretty sure its fibre glass with a gentle sprinkle of water giving a nice bubbly texture Freeking bubbles

[hairy]

Enlightening

[navx]

Where is Jon when you need him?