The Start Of Body Conversion

[tractor]

got this westfield bonnet to cut up to make a pattern for making a fibreglass bonnet for the zero

 

[keith kelly]

Could you not have just made a mild from the new bonnet in my garage?? Or you doing something special?

[tractor]

That would have been good Keith but I forgot you had a unused new bonnet

[Guest Tim Norman]

Is a "mild" a new style?

[Bob Tucker]

Check how heavy a GRP bonnet would be. The resin builds up quickly

It will be more fragile than an ally/steel one unless it weighs a ton.

The technique of applying just enough resin to wet the cloth, without

overloading it takes a fair bit of practice.

Be prepared to make up test versions before you get an acceptable one.

[tractor]

I know bob spent a few years in the fibreglass industry making thing like flumes fairground rides vehicle parts and architectural mouldings hand lay up and chopper gun so this will be a walk in the park once I have all the correct materials

[Bob Tucker]

Apologies.....Grandmas & sucking eggs comes to mind!

We had to make up several bonnets for Rays corvette before we got one we were satisfied with.

& he fibreglasses ponds, swimming pools & flat roofs for a living.

[tractor]

ah doing roofs and ponds is very basic fibre glassing no offence intended but there is no pattern or mould preperation or fabrication or sanding and polishing to a mirror finish

[Bob Tucker]

Absolutely none taken....thats what he does now......we started by making boat hulls many many many years ago,

which needed moulds to be made first, & all the other prep work you mentioned.

But as you say that was a lot of hard work, no problem when its for your own use & enjoyment,

but not a way to make a living.

As you say, glassing ponds, roofs & swimming pools is basic, but it pays well & has paid for the Corvette.

 

But I still hate the smell....

[keith kelly]

That would have been good Keith but I forgot you had a unused new bonnet

Plank avail if you need it just don't scratch it

[tractor]

yes bob the smell of it now really gets to me but years back it didnt bother me at all

[tractor]

have measured the wetfeild bonnet today and it is wide enough for me to make a scuttle pattern before i cut it to make the bonnet