How to Make Fiberglass Parts with the Bare Minimum Tools.

[@TofuAutoWorks]

So something a bit different this time as I'm still hard at work on the next Stagea episode but it hasn't quite finished cooking. I often get a lot of questions asking me for advice on how to get started with fiberglass and so I decided I would finally start a playlist solely on fiberglassing techniques. This first video covers the absolute basics, how to make parts in the simplest way possible but as I go on I will be covering more and more advanced techniques in detail. A quick disclaimer, I was never taught how to do fiberglass so everything I know is just stuff I picked up myself over the years I've been doing this. So there might be stuff that I cover that isn't how it's normally done, but everything I show is something that I do myself and it's worked for me. I will be back to working on the Stagea in my next video. Thanks for watching and if you'd like, consider supporting on Patreon for behind the scenes updates as well as videos up to a week before they go live on KZbin. www.patreon.com/TofuAutoWorks Thanks for watching

[@jetink600]

Dude sincerely thank you for this. I watch all your videos and am very impressed by your quality. I want to get into fiberglass too so you're exactly the right person to take lessons from

[@plageran]

We the Internet thanks Thee. the amount of editing in your other videos prove how many hours you put into your work. i can't wait for the next one. it would be cool if you add a clock in the background lol

[@kevinkev1530]

Awesome

[@3m4r38]

You have no idea how much I wanted this video out of you. It's like.... the key to your car

[@soniromanov]

Love everything about your videos. They are not "viral videos" that go boom in a day and never to be watched again. But actual high quality videos that you can watch over and over again. I'm currently making a PANDEM(Kei Miura) inspired rear ducktail spoiler for my VW Golf MK6, and I've learned so much about custom bodywork from your channel. Totemo sugoi!

[@avocette]

I'm currently saving up for a motorcycle custom build. With Brick House Builds for engine service and wiring, 46works for metal fabrication, Superfastmatt for the structural engineering, D4A for engine performance mods, and now you for the bodywork, it feels like having the avengers of KZbin mentors to help me with my endeavors!

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Thats awesome dude, good luck with the build. And superfastmatt has some good videos on forged carbon, I always find there's a major lack of ham sandwiches in my composites. 😂

[@yuya5679]

正直、日本の動画よりも解説が詳しくてわかりやすいと思う。ありがとう！ Honestly, I think the explanations are more detailed and easier to understand than Japanese videos. Thank you! From Japan

[@hansdomke89]

I'm about to start doing fiberglass work on my car so this came out just in time! Thanks

[@AlphasonikK]

What an amazing tutorial, together with Pask Makes you’re by far my favourite KZbin channel!

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Thanks mate!

[@LetGaiaLive]

I nearly fell out of my chair laughing at the “beat the devil out of it” bit 🤣

[@grrvaes]

A masterclass. Very cool to see the you explain every reason for the decisions made. Great work as always!

[@DytliefMoller]

The black dye is a good clean touch of professionalism. Great video, and no BS. :)

[@faheemmuhammad9108]

Well done brother ❤❤❤❤from Pakistan

[@Gary-1180]

A little tip, instead of using black dye in your resin (in this case), I just mix a small amount of whatever gel coat I use into the resin. Having tinted resin in my opinion makes the parts look so much more professional so I'm glad you also do it 👌🏻

[@watchviolenceican]

Your channel is an absolute goldmine of great content and in depth information filmed and demonstrated super clearly, absolutely loving it keep it up man!!!

[@CW6008]

without question the most helpful video I have seenabout laying up fiberglass in complex shapes... wish I had seen it sooner

[@proracingmexico3176]

Excellent video for beginners in fiberglass! Very clear and well explained, directly to the pont!

[@madthemike6320]

The Joy of Fiberglassing with Tofu Auto Works

[@Sierra-579]

while I definitely do not have the skill to make parts, like so many others I was definitely curious on how this is all done. Its really cool to see the process like this. :D

[@yeetinusmaximus494]

this video is perfect timing as i'm just about to make a full body kit for my car ( starting with a front lip ) thank you for the great video!

[@andreaswehrmann365]

"For some reason there's alot of dust in my workshop. No idea why." The world is full of mysteries. 😆

[@kimjorgensen24]

Very nice step by step. I have been making notes through all the videos. As a result, I only do the ‘quick n dirty’ mold release wax 😃🙈 But then again, I rarely use my molds twice 🤷‍♂️

[@victordinev5229]

Nice job. This is useful also for people like me who used to do work like this but don't do it now and now have projects at home and want to remind them self the technique. Also, if you can make tutorials for 3d scanning and creating parts, it will be very helpful to see what hardware and software you use and what the steps are and thank you for giving you knowledge and experience, man 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Cheers mate! We'll have to see how popular these videos end up being and if people like them then I might branch off from just fiberglass and look at other things like scanning and CAD. Might be a bit tricky since unlike fiberglass which uses a few basic tools, there's a huge range of 3D scanners and the technology and approach changes quite a lot depending on what you have. But I'll look into it!

[@mathiasrierny2681]

Good job Tofu, joli tuto sur la fibre de verre.🎉

[@RobertEHunt-dv9sq]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting. Very informative. Cheers from Texas.

[@marcoschlausch7176]

As an old German model builder, I have to say that you sometimes make it very complicated for yourself! There is no need to take breaks and let everything dry, you can do everything directly in one go and save yourself all the rework if you work really accurately! I would love to show you how you could do it better and faster, but unfortunately you are too far away!

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Thanks for watching even though it sounds like you've definitely got some experience! And while it is possible to combine the fiberglassing into one step, this is a beginners tutorial and so I wanted to make it as fool proof as possible. As I'm sure someone with your experience will know, polyester resins like the one I've used here are known to shrink back slightly, and the best method for minimizing this effect is by building up the fiberglass slowly in multiple layers without adding too much heat. The other reason to split it up into 2 steps is because again, since this is for beginners, a lot of people just learning to fiberglass might mix too much resin or mix too much catalyst and it will start to cure on them rather fast. Doing 2 steps makes sure that there is plenty of time to get all the air bubbles out of the coupling coat. Lastly you'll notice that there was no filler or rollers used in this and all the airbubbles had to be poked out with just a chip brush and a skewer. Trying to do this with 3 layers of fiberglass is very tricky, especially with tight corners. And it gives you no opportunity to repair any airbubbles with the next layer of fiberglass.

[@marcoschlausch7176]

@@TofuAutoWorks I understand what you mean. For tight corners, I would always recommend mixing resin with loose pieces of fiberglass to a pulp and then smearing it in the corners where air bubbles can form. Carrying out all the work steps directly one after the other also ensures that all layers connect better with each other. I have learned to wait with the pot life and then start directly with the resin layer and glass fiber. Leaving the gel code dry can lead to the fact that it does not bond so well with the lower fiberglass layer and later breaks out at some point.

[@Pete-mh6uy]

upload a video of how you would do it then plz

[@Design-g5h]

Make a video my ferman friend

[@marcoschlausch7176]

@@Design-g5h Deutsch 😉 I haven't worked with it for the last few years, as you can see it's very time consuming, Tofu has been doing it for over a year now for this body kit, it can be done quicker but it's only worth it if you do it professionally, which I no longer do. Tuning in Germany has changed a lot and we have the TÜV here which doesn't allow many things or makes them very difficult! The TÜV wants to check all modifications to the car, which can be very expensive, and that puts many people off modifying their car. That's why there are hardly any people left who buy body kits and there is no longer a market for them.

[@Мося-з4з]

Круто!!! Наблюдаю за твоими работами. У тебя золотые руки! 👍🏻

[@hamxation]

This is the work I was learning right now

[@BILTREZSUL]

Thank you You really help everyone. Your videos are awesome. Congratulations

[@cbcarper9681]

You are a master at what you do perfect

[@motormesh-shop]

i admire this guy using an angle grinder as a dremel

[@thatdudenamedsmash]

So awesome that you put out another vid much love from the sf bayarea.

[@caywo_]

I don't even have a car but damn this is a good tutorial. It was pretty entertaining to watch

[@GR--gm6ge]

おっ？ 今日はリップ製作動画ですな？ こーやって１から説明して作ってくれるから優しいんだよなぁ。 無理せずに頑張っていこうね！

[@Woha91]

Спасибо! Очень интересно и познавательно! Нашёл для себя некоторые важные моменты, которые упускают в других видео

[@mehanik-lubitel]

Grrat job bro! 👍👍👍 Thank u for ur video!

[@4WheelBuilds]

Mega useful video for beginners such as myself :)

[@mattparker83]

Great video as always, Bob Ross 😉

[@drewvlew311]

Great video that’s for sharing. Always a pleasure.😊

[@rubenmartinez1577]

Doing the lords work with this video! Wonder if making a carbon version would be kind of similar

[@ВалентинСавчишкин]

Класс. Теперь можно будет посмотреть базовые вещи в работах со стекловолокном и смолами. 👍

[@АлмазАлмаз-б9ш]

Спасибо за подробное видео!!!

[@has4896]

😊SALUTE YOUR HARD WORK SIR 💪 👏 🎉

[@Fetter84]

Oh thank god, i was a little bit worried that there's no sanding in this vid 😄👍

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Haha, I have to include at least some sanding in every video, it's in my contract. 😂

[@user-ci4cj5eq4x]

Fam this was a seriously cool video🎉

[@BorisBIELECKI]

That was a short one this week. And almost without sanding 🙂

[@jayinmi3706]

Superfast Matt says "You will never not sand." lol

[@pizzacrusher4632]

This vodeo is amazing. thank you for making it!

[@damiansobczynski2280]

4:20 love that Bob Ross beathing the devil out of that brush

[@joshuastandifer]

Going Bob Ross on that paint brush 😂

[@Maybe.Racing]

Great video man! Why did you do the second and third layer of fiber glass separate from the first one?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

The first layer of 225 gsm fiberglass is there to get a perfect bond with the gelcoat with no airbubbles, if you try to build all 3 layers at once they can sometimes pull away from the tight corners leaving air bubbles resulting in unsupported gelcoat that blisters and chips away easily.

[@harchenko0106]

Всё как всегда на высоте 👍.

[@liamshannon4525]

invaluable, thank you so much

[@dozyproductionss]

Would covering the piece in tape and then in cloth and forming a shell with resin also work? A lot of people do that for custom subwoofer boxes and etc.

[@Ronanelm]

Anther geat video bro! Keep it up :))

[@Beefbus]

This video made me itch.

[@dozyproductionss]

Would adding a flexible metal grating layer make this even stronger?

[@marcusfigueroa1365]

What were the names of all the chemical mixes you used before laying your fiberglass and after and how to know how much to mix together those parts were throwing me off but everything was really easy to see what you did

[@timnagy2411]

Gel coat is generally catalyzed with 2% MEKP, and poly resin with 1%. If you use metric measurements you don't need a calculator. :)

[@tomnutt6022]

Nice! A picture is worth a thousand words...in this case; a video😂

[@ryanmiller9631]

How many layers of fibreglass would you say is sufficient for body panels and bumpers?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

My go to is always, coupling coat of 1 layer of 225 gsm, let that cure, then 2 layers of 450. It's nice and solid, and I've never had any issues with fenders, bonnets, bumpers etc..

[@ryanmiller9631]

@TofuAutoWorks cheers, thankyou

[@danielsonyShima5]

soooooooooo gooooooooood bro!

[@KD_designz]

Brilliant 👍

[@justboliwastaken]

Amazing tutorial sir tofu! One more question tho, do you calculate the amount of resin before laying up the fiberglass or its just a feeling 😅!

[@TofuAutoWorks]

It is something you just get a feeling for. When I'm making a part for the first time and I have no idea how much it will take, I make a guess and then I'll sometimes mix up about half that amount and after applying that I'll know how much I need to finish it. If you try to mix up the full amount and end up only 50ml short or something, it can be tricky to measure out that small an amount of resin and catalyst accurately so I try to make sure I'm always mixing more than 100ml or so.

[@justboliwastaken]

@@TofuAutoWorks makes sense thanks for the answer!!

[@StoneKing3D]

Well done sir

[@kadettcforumaustria9817]

Another good video!! Good described. I'm still trying to find a good adress to buy the same resin aso here in austria

[@Icantthinkofanameman]

2:25 I have the same calculator. I used to use it for highschool way back in the day.

[@optiondrifter]

Did you add wax to the poly resin? If the first layer dries a little tacky after curing time, is it safe to add the second layer of fiberglass and poly resin?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

This sort of polyester resin comes with wax added to it from the supplier so that it will air cure and not leave a tacky surface unlike the resin sometimes used in boat building.

[@csj9619]

Looks like a 911 part. Creating the plug is where the real fun is.

[@EmmAyeVee]

No need for the pva and wax mold release after the gelcoat prior to the first layer of fiberglass mat?

[@timnagy2411]

if you did, then it wouldn't stick... The PVA and mold release go on the mold surface. If you are using laminating resin, you can spray PVA on your final layer to let the final surface cure, like using waxed resin.

[@johanscheepers4901]

Hi u r very good nice work

[@thesillybilly]

So I have a saddlebag that the lip broke off where the hinge goes so now I have to strap my lids on with ratchet strap. Can that be repaired with fiberglass. Wish I could send a picture to better explain.

[@jeanfrancoispoivre4438]

Magnifique 😊

[@jayinmi3706]

I tthink I might have an idea where all he dust comes from. haha Out of curiousity, what does that lip fit and what other parts are you producing?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

This lip and most of the other things I will be making in this fiberglass basics series are just items for random cars that I have for sale here in NZ. This particular lip is part of my Miata widebody kit.

[@EffdaBlx]

Yea sinple to make provided you have a mold please show us how you made that tanaka san

[@yourunclesam6780]

Awesome video.that tutorial i was try to find.Thanks

[@flaviohenriquesilva]

ba que lindo que ficou.

[@Moriarty_Media]

Would this work on a Subaru timing cover ? Or is there’d too many little details. I was looking to copy my EG33 ones since they don’t make them anymore

[@cyhprod]

Шикарно!!!

[@hironb8c970]

日本語字幕ありがとう！

[@Chris-fj9ir]

Sir. How did you sculpt the original?

[@leftoff3rd]

If I were in charge of an automobile manufacturer, I would make him a special advisor and put him in charge of independent divisions such as GR, NISMO etc.

[@aksarjan2029]

How much of mekp should be used in one kg of resin

[@matalie80]

Don't you feel itchy? How do you deal with it?

[@deliciousplum4734]

The outcome of the work is nice but could you at least explain what are those mixtures you are making to get the work done and how long do you have to wait after each process is done?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

00:00 Please press the CC button to turn on video subtitles. All my videos support multiple languages as this is more helpful than me just talking in one.

[@deliciousplum4734]

@TofuAutoWorks Noted...thank you very much

[@khancross]

Cleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaannnnn!!!!!

[@fernandoreyes6387]

Can that resin be sprayed with a paint gun?

[@timnagy2411]

There's a special gun for the gel coat.

[@xushenxin]

I mean where do you get the mold? It is hardest part.

[@1EVE1X]

Beat the devil out of it :0 HE KNOWS

[@sofielee4122]

Why do you use the chopped fiber fiberglass instead of woven mats?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Chopped strand is generally a lot easier especially for beginners. It conforms better to complex shapes and because you can rip it to shape, you're able to use it with almost no offcuts or waste unlike woven where you often have small scraps that you can't really use.

[@Stefan-mh9zs]

Drill a small hole and separate the mold with compressed air

[@al-swerkifathi9512]

Very excellent. I follow you on KZbin. I asked you before Sadiq to send me 2 iron rolls to release the air. I hope you can advise. Thank you.

[@TofuAutoWorks]

Thanks. Yes, if you can get a fiberglass roller it will make removing air bubbles much easier. It's also possible to make them yourself using metal washers.

[@al-swerkifathi9512]

My dear friend, I stopped sending you this iron roll. I can't understand anything. ​@@TofuAutoWorks

[@dptp9lf]

Cute sand timer... LOL

[@grassegarage]

love the bob ross beating

[@superhuber]

15:53 ​​beautifully shown why making anything from fiberglass is worthless. Only ABS plastic, is flexible and durable... unfortunately the possibility of making anything from it is reserved for the few.

[@gonzalosoca6395]

Que es el producto negro? Gracias por tu respuesta... Saludos

[@TofuAutoWorks]

All of my videos include subtitles in multiple languages that cover in detail all the steps and materials included. The two black products I used in this video were gelcoat, which can be left off if you are making parts from scratch without a mould, and black dye added to my resin purely for cosmetic reasons.

[@0zero560]

But how you get the initial part/shape

[@koollee]

I wondered that too. The red one is a female mold that was made already. This video doesnt show him making it for ill look for a part one in his channel

[@CrescimentoEspiritual-lm4ur]

Vc tem que umedecer a peça primeiro antes de depositar a manta, se não o fizer, a manta não dá uma boa pega no gel.

[@TrackSol]

How do you make the mold?

[@TofuAutoWorks]

It's in the video description. 👍

[@pizzacrusher4632]

don’t you usually use a consolidating roller? also i thought you might make it an ENTIRE video without sanding, but nope… :) :)

[@TofuAutoWorks]

The goal with this video was to show how to make fiberglass parts at the lowest cost and with the fewest tools. I'll be making more of these gradually introducing more tools and techniques.

[@Autoparst]

Wht use cemicl name?

[@h-j.k.8971]

So now I understand why my parts arn´t coming out right, I fogot to put the TOFU sticker on ;-)

[@chrispickard3337]

Nice example showing how unsupported gel coat easily gives way but I'm not sure if everyone understands what you were trying to show.

[@tonyestvik7969]

Just a question, anyway to make a part, the fastest and still most accurate "copy" and strengthen wise not compromised.... like a fender or a front lip....⁉️ Nicely done! Like your videos...👍

[@TofuAutoWorks]

To make a perfect copy you will need to make a mould, there are a few videos in the description on mould making. If you only want to make a single copy and you don't mind if it's slightly larger than it should be (about 3.5mm bigger on all sides for fiberglass, and between 1.0 - 2.5mm for carbon fiber) then you could skin the part in fiberglass or carbon after apply release agent to the part itself, and then pop that new skin off the part and do any required finishing or sanding work. This method is pretty common for people replacing roofs or quarter panels with carbon fiber, simply lay the carbon over the existing part, remove the carbon once it's dried, cut the original part away, then bond the carbon back in place.