First I drilled holes in the fairing piece, then used the Dremel to saw it open, leaving as small a gap as possible. Used masking tape on the good side, to stop the epoxy running everywhere, then cut some glass fibre to shape.
Then it’s just adding three layers of glass fibre. Used a mini clamp from one of my other hobbies, and will leave to set for a couple of days.
I have had a break from painting, while organising the garage (putting up a shed for the Mrs. was part of this, as it gets garden equipment out of it), getting a dog, and general laziness. It’s just a hobby, after all. While putting up shelves, and general garage duties, the half painted panels have been moved about, and attracted a few light scratches. Today’s job, after turning up the radiator in the garage (what bleedin’ luxury), was to lightly sand the panels with 2000 or 2500 grit wet and dry, and fill the dings. I will go back later and sand these flat. It’s too cold to paint, really I need Spring for that, (15 Celsius) but I have the cans ready to go. I do like the new paint booth, as it stops overspray filling the garage. Filtration may come later, however I’m only spraying for 2-3 minutes at a time, so monitoring this.
if you struggle to get a good finish even when things have warmed up, then i may be able to help - Good Luck.
Was it just the once? Happy New Year. I’m now in Taplow, though occasionally join Graham Bolger’s runs. I did offer London to pop by for coffees and cake on a ride out, having a dozen Ducatis pull up would raise the neighbours eyebrows. I think we can agree 2024 was pretty much a write off for most of us; I got out on the Duc about a dozen times, though it got treated to braided hoses. Hopefully 2025 will be a better biking year.
Thanks! After another couple of different paints (Holts on some panels, Custom Paints on others), I’ll try a couple different lacquers. I’m wondering whether to buy 3M polishing compounds, as they have a great reputation (but the sizes are typically for professionals, not amateurs).
This YouTuber has an interesting solution to his overspray problem. At around 15 minutes in to save you watching a long segment. HTH
Just found this thread and some nice work going on! When I saw the word fibreglass I dreaded seeing the old CSM (chop strand mat) which is normally used and is awful unless you are making a cheap canoe. Looks like you used something like a 100g/m2 2x2 twill? Ten times as strong as csm for the same weight and a lot nicer looking. For future reference, you can also get carbon in similar material for wet lay which is even stronger. I am a complete amateur on the paint front but know a couple of tricks from a mate. If you put the spray cans in a bucket of hot water for ten minutes or so before use it helps get a more consistent finish. And use far more coats of lacquer than colour, that way you have some depth to go at with the polishing before you get to the colour. I resprayed a full car like than a couple of years ago and it came out ok
I could see the filtration about 8:30 in, but not at 15 minutes in. I'll watch the whole clip, he's doing a good job. Except I use a better mask with proper filter pods.
The fibreglass comes from this company: https://www.bucks-composites.com/products They're amazing, and make inexpensive kits. They also sent a little carbon fibre, which I found a bit harder to work with. I think this was the kit I bought: https://www.bucks-composites.com/products/bucks-wing-joining-or-small-epoxy-repair-kit Laminating Epoxy Resin L285 and Hardener 285, 140g Net weight Combined. Glass Fibre Reinforcing Tape 100mm (4”) Wide / One Metre Long, 225gsm, one epoxy resin spreader card, one ½" brush, two 25ml graduated mixing pots, two spatulas, one Pair of surgical gloves, a full set of instructions for joining a wing on model aeroplanes and gliders. For £7.50!! Thanks - I always get this wrong, and put too much paint on..and never get to the lacquer.
oh yes my bad it’s just a clip of the bucket lol. I see now he’s hooked up a small fan along with the ducting that extracts into the bucket at around 8 minutes. He got the idea from TikTok he states. I’m not on TT so can’t look on that site. He does state in either this clip or a previous one he doesn’t care about inhaling the spray dust.
Carbon varies a lot based on weight/ quality. The carbon they have listed seems heavier gauge stuff that won’t be as nice to work with. The light/ medium gauge carbon/ glass is like working with nice material and you can get excellent results. Especially good for small repairs such as yours and good that the supplier does small amounts. I used to get roll ends from a place in Swadlincote that were 3m long and approx 1-3m left on them. Most industrial supplies won’t even seel part rolls so good to have access to a place like the one you found.
