brsturges
Member
Hi there, gang. I have an idea in my head that I'd like some input on. I'm very interested in the idea of making a scratch built fiberglass body. I think the process would be challenging and fun. It also allows me to create something that I couldn't otherwise just buy since the body I have in mind isn't sold in a fiberglass or metal form. The idea is to make a 28-29 roadster pickup body like the body in my avatar, but rework the back of it to be less squared off and more round like the 30-31 RPU body. I would also stretch it a bit for some more room.
Anyway, as I was researching how folks make such bodies at home, I saw a lot of people starting with a buck made of plywood and foam. Once they get the shape they want, they fiberglass over that to make a mold, and then remove the mold and lay fiberglass in that to create the final product. To add strength to a simple fiberglass body, I have seen many of the skilled builders on this site and others reinforce the inside of the fiberglass shell with wood and foam, and then glass over that. So my thought is this: If I can make a "buck" that has the proper negative spaces for the inside of the body, would there be any issue with glassing over both sides of my buck to create a body? I know there would be a lot of sanding getting the fiberglass I lay down smooth for paint, but structurally I think it would end up being incredibly strong. I could make it as thick or thin as I wanted in certain areas and the whole thing would be wood and foam core sandwiched between layers of fiberglass. Has anyone tried such a thing?
Anyway, as I was researching how folks make such bodies at home, I saw a lot of people starting with a buck made of plywood and foam. Once they get the shape they want, they fiberglass over that to make a mold, and then remove the mold and lay fiberglass in that to create the final product. To add strength to a simple fiberglass body, I have seen many of the skilled builders on this site and others reinforce the inside of the fiberglass shell with wood and foam, and then glass over that. So my thought is this: If I can make a "buck" that has the proper negative spaces for the inside of the body, would there be any issue with glassing over both sides of my buck to create a body? I know there would be a lot of sanding getting the fiberglass I lay down smooth for paint, but structurally I think it would end up being incredibly strong. I could make it as thick or thin as I wanted in certain areas and the whole thing would be wood and foam core sandwiched between layers of fiberglass. Has anyone tried such a thing?
