How to Make Fiberglass Bodykits for Cars

This article shows how anyone can learn to make fiberglass bodykits for cars. If you are a custom car enthusiast, this skill will come in handy at one time or another. Before starting on this project, find a suitable work area. It should be an inside area that is clean and dry. To protect the floor, tape down plastic or paper. There should also be a clean table or work bench to work on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Fiberglass mat
• Fiberglass resin
• Paint brushes
• Fiberglass rollers
• Styrofoam
• Cardboard

1. Plan your design and draw it out. Use foam to create a life-sized model of your design. This will be your mold. The foam can be cut and sanded down to shape the mold.
2. Take grid sandpaper and completely shape the foam. Once it has been shaped, wax it. Paint with gel coat and allow it to dry completely.
3. Soak the fiberglass mat in resin. Lay it over the the dried gel coat. Be careful not to use too much resin.
4. Roll out air bubbles with the fiberglass rollers. Lay more of the resin-covered fiberglass mat and allow to dry.
5. Put cardboard along the lines of the mold and put more fiberglass over it. This will make it stronger.
6. Trim the mold with a grinder to once again shape and resize it. It will be thicker and out of shape now that the fiberglass has been placed.
7. Follow the previous steps to create another part. Once all the parts have been made, bolt the mold together. Smooth the seams with clay. Wax and recover with gel coat. Allow tp properly dry and form for a couple of days.
8. Remove the bolts and remove the part.
9. Separate the mold from the fiberglass once the fiberglass has completely dried and shaped. Be careful not to scratch or crack it. Any type of wooden utensil will be perfect to use in this step, and will ensure that the mold will stay in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the fiberglass is even. You do not want some parts to be thicker than the others.
• Paint sticks or plastic scrapers are great for separating the mold.
• Always wear gloves and protective clothing when working with fiberglass.
• The resin can be very HOT! Be careful.