Is there a way to flex fiberglass?

[tk0000]

What about rubbing paint stripper on the inside to soften it at the stress points?

 

[gcngamer128]

I'd put some masking tape on the front to keep the shape you want, then use a heat gun from the underside. Ignore the crack for now, and when the shape is where you want it just use some JB weld under the crack.

 

[Sith_241]

Heat will not do a whole lot, but you can still try it.

Softening it is a bad idea because you run the risk of damaging the resin (i.e it may not harden back up or will have some horrible texture)

 

[JPolacchi]

Cured polyester resin is really "chemical resistant".Application of paint stripper won't do much except remove the paint that is already on there.MEKP is the only "thinning" agent you use with polyester resin,but using it also weakens the resin at the same time.Usually if you are spraying it through a gun for applying in a mold is when you use it to thin it out,or if it is old and cured in the can,it will bring it back to its liquid state.I'd do what you can to it(if you work on it at all) and you'll have to live with the warpage unless you are willing to completely rebuild the areas that bother you.Its a bit of an undertaking and if you are inexperienced...it can be intimidating too.

 

[Sith_241]

But dumping MEK all over it would be fun and informative! :lol

 

[JPolacchi]

Ummmmm....maybe,but I don't recomend doing that.MEKP is pretty toxic and the fumes are really,really strong.

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

Ummmmm....maybe,but I don't recomend doing that.MEKP is pretty toxic and the fumes are really,really strong.

Yeah its highly toxic, and if it was to get into your eyes. Kiss your sight good bye. Not something i would mess with, just keep it as a catalyser.

 

[tk0000]

As JPolacchi pointed out, it appears the sides have "sprung" out. I'm not sure how this happend if fiber glass doesn't bend? I don't believe it had the spring untill after I cut the visor section out, then it just crept out. So I really just need to bend the sides back in without breaking them off LOL.

 

[Firefoxm31]

I recommend you visit some kitcar forums, they get bodies that need tweeking all the time and there are some useful tricks to employ to "bend" Fiberglass back to shape, they definately don't envolve dowsing with mek, geez!

Will

 

[JPolacchi]

I might have got the MEKP mixed up with the thninning slovent.I actually forget what it is called?MEKP I think is only "the catylist" and extrodinarily toxic,but the stuff you use to thin polyester resins is extrememly toxic and caustic as well.You do not want to get any of this stuff on your bare skin.You need gloves from your hands to your elbows when working with this stuff, full eye goggles and some good charcoal filters/mask&open windows/garage door.The smell and vapor will just about "knock you out" and make your eyes burn.

 

[tk0000]

@ firefoxm31 thanks for the info I will check it out.

 

[Sith_241]

Ummmmm....maybe,but I don't recomend doing that.MEKP is pretty toxic and the fumes are really,really strong.

Sarcasm?

 

[Superkrates]

I'm not sure how this happend if fiber glass doesn't bend? I don't believe it had the spring untill after I cut the visor section out, then it just crept out.

Fiberglass and any thermoset plastic will (to a limited degree) try to return to it's original shape (flat) if it's structural integrity is compromised. Which is what happened when the visor section was cut out. I recommend using band clamps (slowly tightened - this may take days to avoid cracking) around the entire helmet to acquire it's desired shape and then bonding the lens in to return the structural element. If a bonded lens is undesirable - bonding a steel rib (bent to allow the lens to be placed) at the top and bottom of the vertical cut, may be an option that delivers enough reinforcement to retain the shape.

 

[IDMimagineering]

Cut with saw, scribe or Dremel, reposition, fill gap with Araldite or more liquid Resin.


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