Foamie FiberGlas Question

[Mo-Jack]

Disclaimer: I've NEVER done anything with fiberglas.

PROJECT: Attempt to sculpt foam to resemble this illustration. Bumps are 2" tall. Frame is 6'x7'.


QUESTION: Will a single sheet of fabric be able to cover these bumps without wrinkles?

Thanks.

[KCStudly]

Yes, provided that the inside radius or transition between the blistered areas and flatter areas are not crisp or sharp transitions. If those areas are gradual and/or flat enough, and the relief (height change) between the highs and lows is not too aggressive, you shouldn't have too much trouble, especially with lighter weight cloth like the 6oz I have been using. I find two plies provides a nice sturdy shell without being too heavy or using more supplies than needed. If you push fairly hard with your thumb you can get it to move a tiny little bit, but it springs back with no permanent effect.

What is your project (I'm guessing maybe not camper related)?

[Mo-Jack]

What is your project (I'm guessing maybe not camper related)?

Thanks for your reply.
This project would indeed be camper related. It would be used as a 2nd generation roof design. The 1st generation roof will be a smooth surface... to get the TD on the road.

This bumpy roof project would then be started. It would eventually fit into the cosmetic look of this themed TD. [ details will be shared as they unfold ]

PS: I have really enjoyed your Poet Creek build.

[GPW]

Hey Mo !!! Why the bumps ... ??? Drag reduction or purely decorative ???

[KCStudly]

I have really enjoyed your Poet Creek build.

Thanks.

[Mo-Jack]

Hey Mo !!! Why the bumps ... ??? Drag reduction or purely decorative ???

Purely decorative.

[GPW]

Sounds like you have something Cool in store !!! Looking forward to it...

[greygoos]

Sounds like you have something Cool in store !!! Looking forward to it...

There is a previous post with an illustration to the proposed camper, it has a snake on the side, maybe it is some sort of reptile representation.

[tony.latham]

Mo:

Interesting. How do you sculpt those?

Tony

[Mo-Jack]

Mo:

Interesting. How do you sculpt those?

Tony

A Surform File/Rasp?

[Mo-Jack]

Sounds like you have something Cool in store !!! Looking forward to it...

There is a previous post with an illustration to the proposed camper, it has a snake on the side, maybe it is some sort of reptile representation.

Actually... it's a turtle. Yup, it will indeed be some sort of reptile representation. I am planning to share this design once I have most of the details worked out.

Cheers.

[GPW]

Cool , a turtle .... Nature original teardrop ...

[KCStudly]

It would look more realistic if the pods were faceted, rather than round-ish. Google images turtle shells. Just saying.

What I have found is the surform doesn't actually work that well on flatter foam surfaces, at least not XPS. Maybe knocking an edge or corner off, but not so good for straight planing, tends to skip over or hog in and pull chunks. The best for hand work seems to be sand paper on a block; or for roughing out fast, a belt or orbital sander... but be careful, it's easy to mess up fast using power tools. Even with a sanding block, if you press too hard, or draw back after stopping and not lifting you can easily pull big chunks.

One option would be to shape the individual pods separately, then bond them to the main sheet. That way you might be able to control how crisp you want the lines between to be. If you want a nice crisp inside line in the valleys, you could even glass each pod separately before bonding them onto the already glassed main surface. Less chance of having the glass lift or blister than when trying to get it to lay down in the valleys in between pods. (I will be doing the raised nacelle pods for my tail and hatch clearance lights this way... let me look for it in my build thread... yup here you go, tail light nacelle glassed and trimmed, ready to be bonded to the already glassed and curved surface of the hatch bustle.

[Mo-Jack]

It would look more realistic if the pods were faceted, rather than round-ish. Google images turtle shells. Just saying.

Yeah. I hear ya. That thought had not escaped me. At this stage, I was merely trying to figure out if the concept of a non flat/smooth surface would lend itself to glas work.

What I have found is the surform doesn't actually work that well on flatter foam surfaces, at least not XPS.

Yeah. I kinda picked up on that fact reading through your Poet Creek build.

One option would be to shape the individual pods separately, then bond them to the main sheet. ...you could even glass each pod separately before bonding them onto the already glassed main surface.

This is one of the reasons I love this TnTTT site.... the sharing of ideas. Although the illustration does not show it, each bump is indeed an individual section, and would be sculpted individually. Glassing each piece before inserting them into position is a GREAT idea. Thanks. Sweet.

yup here you go, tail light nacelle glassed and trimmed

Oops. That is your turtle shell search.

[KCStudly]

Oops is right! I fixed it above and here again: Tail Light Nacelle Glassed and Trimmed.