mikepeters1983 wrote:If you can do this and make more you can count me in for a set. Be nice to have the extra stuff. Do you know how wide you are thinking of making them yet?
Rob93 wrote:i think it looks funky with oversized fender in only the front.
SteveTB03 wrote:I like the idea and itd be cool to see this.
But have you thought of just cutting your fenders do a trim job so they dont hit??
Rob93 wrote:How are you going to make the part of the door? Make an entire new door? That seems like too much for me. I guess you could make it come out with some foam and glass over it and possibly a thin layer of bondo to make it flow into the door, you would just have to repaint the entire door after
NickNorie wrote:Rob93 wrote:How are you going to make the part of the door? Make an entire new door? That seems like too much for me. I guess you could make it come out with some foam and glass over it and possibly a thin layer of bondo to make it flow into the door, you would just have to repaint the entire door after
Thats how the explorer is. The whole door is still there, they just used the expanding foam and shape how they want then make a mold off that. Like I said though, that is just an idea for the rear and I dont even know if it will be possible. Im going to start with one front and see if I can even do it.
OregTrailBlazin wrote:I've done fiberglass... Used to travel during the summer with my dad while he worked. Stayed next to a guy that was building an Airplane in his garage, helped him all day while my dad worked. Was one of the best summers I've had
You've got the exact idea!!.. I generally use the pink construction foam, it is more chemical resistant and easier to seal and smooth.
Like you said:
1) Spray the fender with foam, and stick on Pink construction foam.
2) Carve and shape... Use bondo to fill and finish it like it was about to be painted. (The smoother and nicer you make this the less work in the future.)
3) Apply release agent, and apply resin/fiberglass.. MAKE sure to add some ribs, and support so when you pull it off it can't break or flex.
4) Peel it off and you have a Negative of the fender skin. Most of the tabs and bolt mounts are added after the skin is made...
As you said, there is allot of stuff inbetween, but all it takes is practice and time.. Working with Fiberglass is pretty cheap, just VERY time consuming.
NickNorie wrote:Thank you for the tips! And this pink construction foam, is there any different name? I cant find it. And also I plan on doing the majority of the shaping with the fender on the vehicle, how do I get the expanding foam to stick to the fender and not fall off?
OregTrailBlazin wrote:NickNorie wrote:Thank you for the tips! And this pink construction foam, is there any different name? I cant find it. And also I plan on doing the majority of the shaping with the fender on the vehicle, how do I get the expanding foam to stick to the fender and not fall off?
Hmmm... took me awhile to find that one. Foam board insulation. The foam is actually called -Extruded Polystyrene Foam- comes in Pink and Blue. They will have it at your local Home Depot.
I would shape it on the truck too, the spray expanding foam should have no problem sticking to it, but you will probably not get it off. You could just hot glue the Polystyrene Foam to the truck that way you can peel it when your done.
Everything I've built has been completely from scratch, we usually glue and pin the foam together then cut and shape to the desired design... Doing it off the truck would be completely new to me.. I would love to give it a shot though, it would be sweet to have a full piece fiberglass front-end.
NickNorie wrote:Hmm. I think I will just lay a couple layers of foil down and go to town over that.
Heres my inspiration thread.
http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/fab-shop/119816.htm
OregTrailBlazin wrote:NickNorie wrote:Hmm. I think I will just lay a couple layers of foil down and go to town over that.
Heres my inspiration thread.
http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/fab-shop/119816.htm
Awesome thread!!.. Great inspiration, almost make me want to give it a shot!!
With how easy it is to pull our fenders off, I would probably do that, so you can get it matched right down to the hood and door without sanding too much of the original paint.