Kim72

I need to "massage" a new fiberglas air-box I got to fit to my existing L88 hood. It needs to be bent slightly to fit. It's a hand laid piece. Will the fiberglass bend a little if heat (heat gun) is applied?? I've never tried this before.

jnb5101

no-fiberglass is not thermoplastic.
how does it have to be massaged?

Kim72

A couple of the corners need to be straightend.

Easy Mike

You may be able to manually bend your two corners but only if they do not have to go too far. Go slowly.

scottyp99

I don't really know much about working with fiberglass, but I am not aware of any way of "tweaking" it. Fiberglass bonds pretty well, I think, and many people talk about building surfaces up and sculpting them back to the shape that they want, you will probably end up going in that direction.


Scott

dannyman

Fibreglass doesn't reshape well.

It all depends on whether you are attempting to bond the two surfaces or just make a tight fit with the two individual pieces.

Bonding will fill in the spaces with bond material.

Removing the high spots as opposed to filling low spots is also an option.

A picture would be helpful.

scottyp99

Well, there ya go, maybe I should just keep my big mouth shut when I don't know what I'm talking about!


Scott

dannyman

Scott

Sorry for agreeing with ya!


Dan

scottyp99

What???? I thought you were saying I was way off base!!!


OHHHHH!!!!!!! LOL!!! I just re-read your post, and when you said " Fibreglass doesn't reshape well." you meant that it doesn't like to change it's shape, now I get it, sorry for the misunderstanding, I feel kinda foolish now.......


BTW, just out of curiosity, is "fibreglass" a typo, or is that the correct spelling in Canadian English?


Scott

dannyman

Scott;


You may be right, eh? Fibreglass is correct Canadian spelling as opposed to Fiberglass. Either North American spelling is OK I guess!

Dan

Kim72

Thanks for the replies. I'll be able to alter the air box. I just wasn't sure whether heat would work or not. Looks like the answer is "no".

aussiejohn

Dan, you're right, the spelling of these non-Commonwealth blokes is so, er..."common"

But I luv 'em.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

69 Chevy

Fiberglas (one 's') is a patented product of Owens-Corning. Yes it can be bent if enough heat is applied. But it also has a memory and will return to its original shape if not clamped, screwed, or bonded immediately.

Cab1

I have a little experience with "Fiberglass", back when I was building a KR1 home built experimental airplane. I hate the stuff - after being up to my neck with it for about 8 years. Anyway, I think the best way to do what you're trying to do is to get a hunk of foam - that blue insulation crap - and make a plug. Then you can mold the glass cloth to the exact shape you need. You don't need to get aircraft grade, just use the stuff they sell at a marina to repair boats.

TOM B1

Yes it will bend when heated, I have done this to my LT1 hood.
The hood set against the wall for 20 some years and the lower corners warped. I made a 2x6 frame and heater and clamped it down till it cooled and is still perfect. so Yes 69 chevy is right and I have done it with great results.

Kim72

This is good to know. I only have a couple of "ears" to straighten, so I'll give this a try. Thanks again.

chonkyapple

Here's my take on it, wont work, but hey give it a shot,fibreglass (i'm an Ozy) as in made from polyester resin not a plastic composite.

This is a 1968 yanky hovercraft, note the arrow, bent steering vane holder..granted this is caused by age.

I've had this clamped for 3 months, heated with a heat gun a dozen times..penatrating heat too.


The end result..sweet FA...Except for showing off my latest project




I Lurve Retirement

noonie

So it went back to it's original form.

To the OP, just slice/score and bevel enough of the part to fit, then bond and repair slices. Simplest and fastest guaranteed method.

Easy Mike

Purchase Noland Adam's Restoration Guide Volume II and read how they strong-armed C2 coupe doors.