Fibreglass picture thread and discussion

the only mega problem is fibreglass osmosis. Google it, its quite interesting reading for plastic fetishists.

Interesting factiods. maybe i should not have the FEAR!
;D



I'm worried about the hidden framework on my Alfa effort, guess i'll have to get in somehow and see how its slung togeter and treat with some metal with oil or summat. theres a load of slapped on glass on the front and holes filled with that expanding foam, don't like that stuff, i get some close up pics and add to this thread at somepoint.

So on teh whole a good thing, could almost be an ideal material for modern cars? light energy efficiant, absorbs crashes... ? always seems mad all the weight applied to a car, and for retro's, all the rust potential, but with glass you have potentail for that with the chassis. fun!

coaches, HGVs, all sorts are made from GRP. As are Lotus, Corvettes, and other "high end" or just plain expensive cars. Boats are made from GRP, even quite large ones. Some aircraft applications of GRP too. For the right application its a good material.

How would you feel in an ash framed aluminium skinned car?

it works sort of like a band aid. I as much as a band aid makes your skin behind it go all manky and puss filled if you leave it on too long.

Body filler is for dressing off a repair, not for being the repair

This has a fibreglass body (back on track)

been studing GRP for my Product Design exam [which is tomorrow! ]

Its a composite where they mix glass fibres with a resin. Its built up in layers and as such the glass fibres are over linked to create a high strength.

We watched a video at college where the head technical guy at Lotus was talking about the body of Esprits. They make the body using a mould and have the GRP made different at specific points so that it is strong and can withstand inpact. Its all actually rather clever. I wouldn't worry about it.





No body rust either.

I remember that the R5 Turbo 2 rally car affair had a 5 or 6inch fibreglass tube running down the middle of it to absorb the impact of a crash.

That said, i'd be happy to drive around in a 'glass wagon!

Why isn't it still used in car production?

But aren't Renault Clio front wings plastic?

Hope noone thought I was slating or being wussy, armed with comments in this thread, I think I have the best of both worlds Alfetta, less rust, and less weight, and all the mechanical goodness!

Just thought it was time for decent discussion for all instead of,, you know,,,

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it looks wierd when you see an unfinished car, smashed car, or one with no interior, seing a non aesthetic metal frame and rough material kind of looks a bit cheap if I can say that without offence.

So its kind of old tech, but high tech.

Seen people warned off glass wings on the MR2 forum lots recently, and I even posted up pandamatt's fastback as an example of how invisible they can look.

I will be shedding weight on the MR2 and was thinking of dabbling in carbon-fibre, am I just a bit too racing car, fast and furious? Should I get jiggy with an old skool fibre glass kit, actually I have one....




Good question, given teh evidence, why not, or is it like overpackaging. people will only spend hard earned on a real metal car?

as for crappy plastic bumpers, I have no idea, whats wrong with rubber, or elstomer poly bush type materials!!1