How to Make Fiberglass Figures
Fiberglass is glass spun into small fibers. Some of these fibers are spun into a cloth-like substance. A hardening solvent, epoxy and hardener is mixed. This mixture coats the fiberglass creating a hard, strong, durable surface. The finished figure is lightweight, and paint adheres to the surface easily. Creating fiberglass figures is simple. Make a basic armature, for the figure and cover it using these simple instructions. Try making this simple figure of a log first, and use the directions for other simple armatures for making different figures.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Metal cutting shears
- Cardboard
- Metal hardware cloth with 1/8-inch squares
- Fiberglass cloth
- Several disposable plastic bowls
- Fiberglass resin and hardener slow set
- Several sets of disposable rubber gloves
- Sandpaper
- Clean dry rag
- Paint brushes
- Brown acyclic paint
- Black acrylic paint
- Newspaper
- Masking Tape
Instructions
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Making A Basic Log Figure
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Remove the plastic off of the roll of hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is a welded wire mesh sheet that has either 1/8-, 1/4- or 1/2-inch square openings.This material is available at any hardware store. Cut a 2-by-3-foot piece of metal hardware cloth using the metal cutting shears. These shears are heavy duty scissors that you get at any hardware store. They cut through metal easily and quickly. Roll the cloth into a tube shape. If you want a short log, roll the tube, so the short sides meet to make a wide short tube. If you want a long, skinny shape, roll the tube into a long, skinny tube shape. Either way works.
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Set the tube shape the open bottom side facing down on a flat piece of cardboard. Work outside because the fumes from the epoxy are strong.
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Cut a 2-by-4-foot fiberglass cloth, and two one foot square pieces of fiberglass cloth. Fiberglass cloth is fiberglass fibers woven into a cloth-like substance. The material is available at automotive repair stores, craft stores and hardware stores. Mix enough epoxy with hardener according to the instructions, so it fills half the bowl. Let the epoxy cure the allotted time given on the instructions before applying it to the fiberglass cloth.
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Dip the one foot square pieces of fiberglass cloth into the epoxy, and wrap one piece over the open ends. Dip the 2-by-4-foot fiberglass cloth piece into the mixed epoxy and wrap the fiberglass piece around the large tube shape. Dip the paintbrush in the mixed epoxy, and paint it over the fiberglass cloth on the tube and the ends. Paint in back and forth strokes, so it removes any wrinkles from the fiberglass cloth. Leave the fiberglass somewhat rough, so it resembles a log form.
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Mix up another half full bowl of epoxy mixture according to the manufacturer's instructions, and paint another coat on the log. Let the epoxy cure the allotted time given on the instructions.
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Sand any rough edges down and wipe away the debris. Paint the log brown, and let it dry completely. Next, stipple paint black across the logs to simulate the look of bark. Let the paint dry completely. Place the log in desired area in the yard.
Making Other Armatures For Figures
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Make a turtle figure by cutting a large oval shape out of hardware cloth, and bending it until it resembles the top of a turtle's shell. Ball up newspaper into the shape of a head, four legs and a tail. Tape the body parts in place using masking tape. Coat the body parts and shell with the fiberglass the same way you did on the log, and then paint the figure.
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Create a figure of a woman by cutting a large half circle out of hardware cloth, and rolling it into a cone shape for the dress. Squish newspaper into head, arm and hand shapes, and tape the body parts in place. Coat the figure with fiberglass just like you did on the log. Then, cut strips of fiberglass cloth, dip it in the epoxy mixture and use it for making hair and details on the clothing. Once the fiberglass sets up, paint the figure.
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Form delicate moth and butterfly figures by cutting hardware cloth into the shapes of wings, and form the body using newspaper. Tape the body parts in place, and coat the figure with the fiberglass like you did on the log. Let it dry before adding the paint.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
