Fiberglass copy

Here I show you how I make inexpensive fiberglass duplicates. These pieces belong to a classic mustang, also seeing how the material is a cardboard type I didn't feel comfortable not using any tape, enjoy.

[@thecatofnineswords]

first time I've seen ATF used s a mould release agent! Nice trick!

[@theworkshop3706]

This is a great video MadMike - I have a similar issue and plan to use this technique. Cardboard like glovebox liner that nobody makes. Original is covered in mold and mouse pee, but the shape is good. Looks like I get to play with fiberglass now!

[@madmike_9343]

Mouse pee is always fun haha just remember that whatever side you copy only do a couple layers because you have to strengthen the opposite side. It’s gonna be a tight fit but will outlast the car

[@Jake-ky9ed]

Appreciate that vid man!, got a project to do this will simplify greatly

[@kaneetsate1662]

Great explanation! 👍

[@kumarpatil6161]

Great work

[@koreywilliams4570]

Hopefully when I try this on my truck it turns out better than my first attempt at making custom headlight brackets. Lol I have none of the right tools for any of this kinda stuff but I make due.

[@koreywilliams4570]

Mr Mike. It took me a minute to wrap my mind around this. When you made the new piece using the original as a mold in my mind im thinking wouldnt it come out bigger or smaller depending on what side you used to make the new part?

[@madmike_9343]

Yes it does, if you want to make something exact, you just make a thin copy (strong enough to remove) then add to the opposite side

[@cameronempey8350]

That’s cool man

[@johngabana858]

Would I be able to do this with my fender??????????????? Please someone give me reply I got a Oldsmobile that is impossible to find exterior parts

[@madmike_9343]

Yes of course

[@sevencorsa]

Nice video, thank you !!!!!

[@feracopictures9322]

Awesome! You think this method will work making atv plastics copy’s?

[@madmike_9343]

Of course 😃

[@8hazmat]

Great work. I am currently working on making a fiber copy of a broken boat deck piece. Have you ever used grey duct tape? If so does it melt?

[@madmike_9343]

Never tried duct tape, might want to try a small piece before trying to do the the piece you want to replicate.

[@8hazmat]

Well.... I totally ducktaped the broken pieces together to make the plug... Maybe I could cover the duct tape with blue tape..

[@madmike_9343]

@@8hazmat just keep in mind the thickness of the tape, if you are trying to copy something, you need to add fiberglass to both sides to make it equal

[@8hazmat]

@@madmike_9343 planned on it. This mould is going to allow me to make bottom and top pieces 3 layers thick and sandwiching a balsa core. I also have to leave 4" of dry cloth around the edge to tab it into place. Hard to describe and visualize but it worked on my last project. ,🤞

[@frankcarden4709]

@@8hazmat I know it's a year late but sellotape, or I think it's called scotch tape in America, shiney clear sticky tape releases real good but not on complex curves.

[@ZiaulhaqBabar-zi3ri]

Excellent

[@armandonaranjoochoa1038]

Is ot possible to make a door pannel off of this?

[@madmike_9343]

Yea it is but it’s kinda hard, you have to make a copy of the outside first, like 2-3 layers, pop that off then use the mold (new mold )you made and copy the inside 2-3 layers, pop that out. Then you copy the back (clips and mounting brackets) . Your better off finding some at a junkyard

[@santosramirez70]

When you copy do u copy the the front or the back ? I’m trying to copy some cladding but idk if I should do it from the outside or the inside of the cladding

[@madmike_9343]

So if you noticed in the video I did the back piece which means it will be slightly bigger than original something I didn’t show on video was to coat the front side of the new mold and sand down a little bit of the backend if that makes sense.

[@abelchavez4594]

So is it the paper blue tape. Cause they sale some 3m brand that is blue but has a plastick finish on itike duck tape.

[@madmike_9343]

It’s just regular blue tape, keep in mind you only have to use the tape if your mold is brittle or will have issues with the release agent.

[@paperdoll3421]

🔥🔥Which resin is this? Polyester or epoxy? 🔥🔥

[@madmike_9343]

Polyester

[@kumarpatil6161]

Which type of material used for plug

[@madmike_9343]

You can use virtually anything but this was like hard cardboard and cloth mixture.

[@aburgos2038]

So how many of the hardner and of the resin mixture? Thanks for the video.

[@madmike_9343]

I used 10 drops of hardener per ounce of resin

[@TEAMPHY6]

1% to 1.5% of MEK hardener to polyester resin, by weight. But don't go over 2%. Use less if it's hot out or if you need more work time before it kicks. Use closer to 1.5% if it's cooler out.

[@MrAedes_96]

👍👍👍👍

[@hueyrotorhead]

Foxbody? I need to replicate this process for the top of my Foxbody door panels that are brittle

[@madmike_9343]

Yes we ended up trimming The top into a u shape because of the hinges but the guy sold the car spur of the moment before I could finish.

[@lesegomatojane]

I'm wondering if i could use cooking oil instead of transmission fuel?

[@madmike_9343]

Not sure but worth a shot

[@Santiago-0723]

Sweet now you need to do carbon fiber

[@crensecks5636]

Nice job

[@alirialta4836]

Hi there thanks for the nice video. I need somebody to make a copy of my car’s bumper... It should be quite an easy job for someone experienced like you. What should I search, an auto body?

[@madmike_9343]

Your problem better off going to certi-fit or a junkyard to get a new bumper, it’s a lot of work to copy something that size but if your bumper is rare then yes autobody shop

[@alirialta4836]

Thanks for your reply. Indeed I have a template of the panel (from the other side), so I was wondering if there is a specific store that makes a copy of fiberglass from a template?

[@madmike_9343]

Ali Rialta body shop is your best bet but you are probably going to pay 4-600 in labor before paint, what kind of vehicle do you have?

[@alirialta4836]

It’s a VW Eurovan

[@madmike_9343]

@@alirialta4836 I see, well good luck to you, honestly it’s not that difficult to do, I spent 100$ in materials to make the 3 pieces.

[@luis4210]

Do you lay the fiberglass first and then the resin?

[@madmike_9343]

Depends on what you are trying to replicate I like to lightly brush resin to make it sticky then add fiberglass matt, then I go heavy on the resin , it’s less messy imo

[@tripledo]

How well does the tape protect the original piece from the transmission fluid. I have a headliner I am trying to restore, but I am worried about possibly damaging it using transmission fluid between it and just blue tape.

[@madmike_9343]

If you do %25 overlap you will be fine, just stick with blue not yellow!

[@tripledo]

@@madmike_9343 one more question. I did one layer of cloth. Is that enough for a mold, or do I need to add another layer of fiberglass. Does it help to coat with a second layer of resin.

[@madmike_9343]

Denis Ory well are you making a copy of the headliner or making a repair? If you making a copy I’d make a minimum of 3 layers

[@tripledo]

@@madmike_9343 actually I want to make a mold first. Then I can make a couple of them for a few other folks. Since this one is Already starting to dry I guess I can sand and add a layer or two.

[@madmike_9343]

Denis Ory ok yea thicker the better , but once you peel from original, clean off the release agent side and put fiberglass on that side , if you to it on the outside it will be slightly larger and you will run into fitment issues.

[@circleoftycoons]

can you make a full car mold ? if so how much ?

[@madmike_9343]

I’m sure I could but I’ve never tried. What kind of car

[@directorregionc9581]

how to make this fiber glass copy if we do not have the panel. it mean from car sides

[@madmike_9343]

Director REGIONC You can make a mold in a car using aluminum foil and blue tape

[@directorregionc9581]

@@madmike_9343 making mold from car and then taking it out and then make fiberglass panel

[@madmike_9343]

Director REGIONC no leave it in the car, just make sure you take the time to protect the interior. 2 layers of mat should be good enough.

[@corneilcorneil]

@@directorregionc9581 when you don't have a original, you can't make a copy. Try to make a photocopy from a not excisting paper ... 😐

[@kkennedy5151]

I use spray foam insulation from Lowe's or home depot I use a can or so then cut the foam into you desired shapes the fiberglass

[@Tobysgmc]

You could just cover it with speaker fabric

[@madmike_9343]

fire crotch yes at that point you could do whatever you wanted, the guy I did it for wanted it color matched

[@md6376]

background music loud at times

[@madmike_9343]

I was barely making videos here sbt

[@hrivcxz]

How to avoide pin holes

[@madmike_9343]

More resin

[@kc-gl9wv]

Thanks for the vid

[@127178]

It was an informative video but it made me dizzy with all the back and forth with the camera, I couldn't watch the whole thing in one sitting. If you do any more videos I recommend you put your camera on a tripod or anything, just keep away from the jerking around.

[@madmike_9343]

Yea I did invest into a tripod. There were one of my early projects that I started to record.

[@crensecks5636]

Make a wide body kit

[@kumarpatil6161]

Reusable plug

[@tranjavanadbia123]

Why do I hate fiberglass so much.

[@madmike_9343]

Well it is sticky and it smells and can be annoying to deal with🙃