So I was just finishing glassing my GF's MC helm...and I figured I'd share some tips to simplify and lessen your headaches.
1) Glass one side first.
-When not in a rush, take your time, and make life easier on yourself. Doing one side, will give your Pepped item stiffness, which will save you from dealing with collapse. ( Chest piece anyone? ) On the MC helm, I did just the crown first, so I could set it down upside down, and not have to worry about fold collapse.
2) For the love of god, use spray adhesive on your fiberglass cloth FIRST.
- This will stop you from wanting to throw your piece out a f*ing window. LOL This stuff can be had at Walmart for $3.97 a can. It's in the aisle near paint where you'll find the epoxy, and duct tape. Don't buy it from Autozone, Pep boys, or one of those home value stores. You'll pay upwards of $14 a can for the same stuff. Save Save Save.
- Once your fiberglass cloth is cut into strips, spray the area where you are working. Not the cloth. The area will stay tacky forever, so take your time, and lay everything out right.
3) DO mix up alot of resin. Just pour it in the helm, or on whatever your piece is.
- Handy tip? You know those paint stirring sticks you asked the Walmart paint employee for and got for free? You did get them to stir up the resin before you left Walmart right? Good. Now, use it as a spatula to spread the resin around your piece, and to remove as many air bubbles as you can.
- On a piece in the shape of a bucket, ala the MC helm, I pour alot in, and slowly swirl it around the helmet, coating all the fiberglass I can, then use the paint stirrer to finish it off.
As always, wear rubber gloves, a dust mask, work goggles, and do it outside if possible.
Despite what you may think, as long as the temperature outside is ABOVE 32 degrees F. you can fiberglass.
So as long as you can cope with the cold, your piece, and the resin/fiberglass can too.
Stay safe, and have fun.
1) Glass one side first.
-When not in a rush, take your time, and make life easier on yourself. Doing one side, will give your Pepped item stiffness, which will save you from dealing with collapse. ( Chest piece anyone? ) On the MC helm, I did just the crown first, so I could set it down upside down, and not have to worry about fold collapse.
2) For the love of god, use spray adhesive on your fiberglass cloth FIRST.
- This will stop you from wanting to throw your piece out a f*ing window. LOL This stuff can be had at Walmart for $3.97 a can. It's in the aisle near paint where you'll find the epoxy, and duct tape. Don't buy it from Autozone, Pep boys, or one of those home value stores. You'll pay upwards of $14 a can for the same stuff. Save Save Save.
- Once your fiberglass cloth is cut into strips, spray the area where you are working. Not the cloth. The area will stay tacky forever, so take your time, and lay everything out right.
3) DO mix up alot of resin. Just pour it in the helm, or on whatever your piece is.
- Handy tip? You know those paint stirring sticks you asked the Walmart paint employee for and got for free? You did get them to stir up the resin before you left Walmart right? Good. Now, use it as a spatula to spread the resin around your piece, and to remove as many air bubbles as you can.
- On a piece in the shape of a bucket, ala the MC helm, I pour alot in, and slowly swirl it around the helmet, coating all the fiberglass I can, then use the paint stirrer to finish it off.
As always, wear rubber gloves, a dust mask, work goggles, and do it outside if possible.
Despite what you may think, as long as the temperature outside is ABOVE 32 degrees F. you can fiberglass.
So as long as you can cope with the cold, your piece, and the resin/fiberglass can too.
Stay safe, and have fun.