soulbounder

I have a 91 Firebird that I'm completely redoing but want to keep the stock looking nose (as much as I liked deadbirds rendention). Since I can't find a brand new nose piece I would really like to have one made out of fiberglass. For one, it would be a stronger material and I think it would look better than that uneven look that the plastic type one gets after a while. Cost is really not an issue and I'd like to get the rear bumper done the same way. If this is a permissible idea, could anybody recommend an expert glass shop? I could ship the pieces. I'm not looking to do this immediately but would like some opinions. Thanks.

Blue502

Not a good idea in my opinion. The first time your bumper gets tapped by anything, there goes your paint at the minimum, and the nose will be shattered at the worst. That is why the factory uses urethane, for the flex. If you choose to go the fiberglass route, you may be able to get them from US Body source or elsewhere, but they will probably be lightweight fiberglass parts made for racing (which will crack even easier).

------------------
IROCnRoll
'86 Camaro Sport Coupe and '88 IROC

soulbounder

Ugh, I was afraid someone might bring that up. That has been weighting on my mind. So what should I do. I want perfection for the nose piece and won't settle for anything less. Both of the ones I have are in dang good shape but the bottom is uneven. I'll try and get pictures to show what I'm talking about.

ChillPhatCat

Hey, if you can find some fiberglass parts, then you're set. I agree that they would probably be made for racing, but you can do the rest of the work very easily. The shaping of the pieces would be done which is the hardest part.

Just take the lightweight pieces and sand the insides down with 220 sandpaper.

Then go to a hardware store or a car shop and buy some 6 Oz. Fiberglass cloth (enough to make 1 (2 if you want) layer all around plus some) and some fiberglass resin...

Paint a thin coat of resin on the inside of the parts and then lay down a layer of cloth while it's wet, followed by another coat of resin on top of the cloth (just enough to cover it, it's only there to keep the fiberglass in place) You know that you're done when the cloth becomes nearly tansparent...

Let this dry and if you want another layer of cloth, sand the first layer when it's dry (down to the surface of the cloth) and do the same thing as the last layer.

It's really not that hard, it will take you a good hour per layer per part and probably 1-2 days to dry depending on the resin you use. I've never actually used the resin, so I don't know it's exact drying properties, but I've done the same thing with epoxy on a smaller scale...

One last thing you should do is to beef up attachment points with extra fiberglass.

------------------
1984 Firebird - Daily driver, 305 LG4, T5 - Hurst short shifter, Edelbrock 600 CFM Performer Carb + Intake - Edelbrock Pro-Flow air filter, gutted cat, IROC 16x8 Wheels, AIWA bargain basement (from Sears of course) CD player, Eight-ball shift ****
Check out my ride here - My $1300 Toy

deadbird

Heh,,, thanks soul,, i didn't quite think my hack work would get quite the responce it did.

UV & extreme climate changes are urethanes worst enemies,, a new part wouldn't look half as crappy as the (at minimum now) 10yr old piece. The best insurance against sag from a new urethane part would be adding something to the absorber & impact bar to support tighter againt the urethane nose from underneath to help reduce sag. ie. shaping some expansion foam (since it's easy to work with & not soild incase of an impact)to the shape of the nose so when it slips over the reinforcement, it's fully braced/supported. Just a wild passing thought I think would help.

But, since you asked in the title of your post,,,, you're insane
------------------

• my Formula Homepage
• Collision P/Ns & Diagrams (Nearly complete now!)

The mind is like a parachute, it only works when its open


[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited September 26, 2001).]

okfoz

I personally would not do it not for ONLY the idea of cracking or breaking the bumper, but what will happen to your fenders & hood when you hit someting soft with it. I would be afraid that your fenders would take alot of the impact.


John

soulbounder

Guys, please stop saying I'm gonna hit something! lol. I'm not a bad driver. Well, since I can't find a brand new nose piece anywhere, looks like I'm just going restore mine and re-enforce it with figerglass. I wonder how long it's gonna take me to get it perfect, even, and smooth as glass, lol. Thanks for the help.

okfoz

Its NOT you I am worried about, its all those other idiots on the road that scare me. i KNOW that you probably treat your car like a baby or something, but all those jerks in parkinglots that fly around in thier HUGE SUV's scare me.

John