Fiberglass engine cover

Fiberglass engine cover

ok heres the deal, this summer I want to start learning how to fiber glass large things... Ive done small pump covers for my dad's company nothing huge. but my theroy is what better place to start learning is on my car.. and my idea is an engine cover... I like mine so I will probly keep it fairly the same add a few things like a toyota emblem remove the 16 valve thingy (never liked that much any ways)... I will use the stock cover as a mold for my clay mold... ok but my question is how close can I get to the engine with my new cover I wont go any closer than stock but is that even too close??? will I have to build steppers for my mounting posts.. get longer screws?? will the bondo (used for smoothing) hold up under the heat... to the make an engine bay body filler that can hold up to the heat if the bondo will not.

go for it..... worst you'll do is ruin the stock one.....

ah...i dunno man, once it heats up, could catch on fire, or that fiberglass smell.

don't they use fiberglass for hoods on hotrods all the time... some of those have the engine sticking right thru them

wait hold on fiber glass is basically fireproof isent it... with the exception of open flame placed right on it... its glass and glass is fire proof it just breaks.

Could discolor and smell if it heats up enough... I wouldn't do it for my valve cover... but thats just me...

The fiberglass iteslf won't burn, but the resin could...

I think thats why its a certen distance away... but not my valve cover, a replacement for my plastic engine cover... I would assume that the plastic has a lesser burning point than the resin inthe fiberglass.

wow.... lots of misinformation here.... the resin when not cured, yes, is flammable.... very flammable..... when it's mixed with the catalyst and hardens with the fiberglass, it is not flammable at all.... i have a fiberglass hood, no problems & no discoloration (other than from oil getting on it)

my roommate also has a professionally made fiberglass hood on his mx6.... it had a vent, which when it rained leaked water over one of the spark plug valley covers... so he fixed that problem by making a FIBERGLASS piece that fits across the valve cover..... he's never had a problem.

if it does actually catch fire from an open flame, then yes it will burn fast......

True, you have a cover over everything, I was thinking of mine that is bare metal valve cover. I'm really not sure, research the combustion temperature of resin and that should give you an answer right there.

thats what I wanted to hear... so this weekend maby I will make it... I'm thinking a DIY... how long should I let it cure before painting and before putting it on.

Good to know, always learn something

There are special high heat resins you could use for composite if you are worried. Also once you have the mold you might want to consider making a few out of carbon fiber or kevlar.

I was thinking of that and then selling them on e-bay but the only carbon fiber Ive found is way expensive

that and is carbonfiber like working with fiberglass at all

same methods, fiberglass and carbon fiber is both a composite. Only difference is aesthetics is more focused upon if you dont plan on painting over it - so you have to be more careful when laying the cloth. Also more fancy resins are typically used, some are for high heat, UV protection (for outdoor parts), extra gloss, etc.

Typically the more complicated, the lighter the twill you should use. 3 seems to be the standard.
You could get what you need from carb.com

if the resin isn't sticky anymore then it's cured enough to sand/paint

alright sweet thanks guys..

Which resin are you using? I use the one from West Marine. It is so expensive. I want to know if the one you're using is cheaper.

I'm getting a 3m kit... resin hardner brush squeegee 38"x 3' of fiberglass matte like 17 bucks at napa... and if this turnes out as good as I want it to I'm going to do my new sub box next then a new rear valence.

go to a marine or fiberglass shop....... i use fiberlay.... i pay about $23 a gallon for resin and $7 for catalyst that will last for about 2 gallons or so

Not too bad here. a huge sheet of glass, catalyst, spreader, brush, 1L of resin, for $18CDN (probably abnout $14.50USD).
It's just the bondo kit

too late... already have it... I didn't want to buy too much to start out with.. maby after I start to eather sell or for my sub box I will go and get them...