FTO AUSTRALIA

Had my first go at making a front bar out of the mould myself this weekend (Chris, the guy I use to get them made has been too busy lately). Not perfect, but definitely passable. Should be able to be more responsive with making these after a little more practice.

Top stuff!

What actually makes the difference in quality in terms of how it's done?

Pushing into the corners properly. If you dont get that right you end up with bubbles between the gel coat and the fibreglass and the gel coat sort of collapses on those points when you remove from the mould. Then you have to fill the holes and sand back and it takes a lot longer as a result. Of course, ive picked the hardest to do first (prefacelift TS Factory). I have to build the prefacelift pods into the bar ive made (lots of fun).

Do the bonnet next.... :lol:

Actually, I think I can work out how to do a mould now. Hesitant on the bonnet now ive got a good spray job done on it though....

I'm sure if there's enough interest you can have everyone put a donation in to have it resprayed if it gets damaged. Haha.

Just about finished my first bar (TS Prefacelift). Did it the inefficient way. I guess ill know better next time. Willpost pics when done.

are you using a vacuum pump?

As for the bonnet; are you just worried about pulling bits of the paint off when you try to separate the mould? If it's just that you can just wrap the bonnet first. You might want to do a test to see if the vinyl will have any weird reactions to the resin + catalyst though. (of course, this is much easier for me to say, since it's not my bonnet that's at risk lol)

Hadnt thought of that. Is a good idea

mmm I thought you're meant to wrap the object in aluminium foil (and probably apply some non-sticking agent on it), and then wrap the fibreglass ontop of that to make the mould

Nah, vinyl. My car used to be wrapped in blue before I got it painted. Still have some left

Oh and not using a vacuum pump. Didnt know that worked with fibreglassing

Here is the first one finished....

and the trial fit:

Nice! So glad you used the stock facelift front as the base for these bars. I think the shape looks markedly better than the others with the same DC lip that you see in Japan and the UK.

Yeah, but got to mould the indicators again fitted to the bar as there is a bit of work in getting them to fit. Unfortunately, that wont happen with this one as it already has a home to go to, so got to do it allover again and this took 2 weekends to get right. Next will be quicker though as ive worked out a few things now.

Nice dstocks are you planning to make more and if so how much would you charge?

Yes, thats what the mould is for - copies for all....... Can make most of the parts off my car, including rear bar and sideskirts. They cost $450 each at the moment, but are pretty much a perfect fit (unlike many of the others on the market). If you buy more than one part, can reduce price. Freight of course is on top unless you pick up. I guess if you endup coming to the bonfire at my place next april, that isalso an option.

I'll also be making a trip down to dstocks' place soon to pick up a bonnet. So may be able to organise delivery along the east coast between Batemans Bay and Newcastle if anyone is interested.

dstocks wrote:Oh and not using a vacuum pump. Didnt know that worked with fibreglassing

vacuum pumps are used when they make actual light weight carbon panels. probably would be an overkill for fibreglass lay up; but I was alway curious about if it'll help. my problem was with the bubbles (worse because I was mucking about with carbon, so couldn't go back and use bog/filler); figured a vac pump might help, but apparently a vac seal bag + cheap 20 yr old vacuum isn't enough lol.

btw, when the job is setting are you just leaving it to set naturally, or are you using something to push on it from the back?