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Fiberglass bumpers

Fiberglass bumpers

AgtX1
Junior Member
6
01-08-2020, 06:07 AM
#1
Has anyone here had any experience reinforcing fiberglass bumpers? The paint is cracking on mine & it isn't very rigid. Looking for tips, do you just add new fiberglass all over or just certain points to add strength?

Thanks.
AgtX1
01-08-2020, 06:07 AM #1

Has anyone here had any experience reinforcing fiberglass bumpers? The paint is cracking on mine & it isn't very rigid. Looking for tips, do you just add new fiberglass all over or just certain points to add strength?

Thanks.

sprinter2012
Posting Freak
2,484
01-08-2020, 12:01 PM
#2
Actually laying up the fibreglass is easy, you just apply some resin, wait until it goes tacky, stick on a layer of fibreglass and then apply more resin over the top!

As for which areas to reinforce, any corners that support large areas of the bumper will be flex points. I would just wiggle it about, find out where the weak spots are and just reinforce those points, if you do the whole thing it will make it mega stiff so if you bump anything it will just break all the mounting holes.

Also, try to keep the bumper in the same shape it would be when it's on the car, so lay it on it's front to do the resin, but stand it upright while it dries. Otherwise it will go stiff in the wrong shape and you'll probably crack it trying to put it back on!
Edited 12-09-2013, 09:35 PM by sprinter2012.
sprinter2012
01-08-2020, 12:01 PM #2

Actually laying up the fibreglass is easy, you just apply some resin, wait until it goes tacky, stick on a layer of fibreglass and then apply more resin over the top!

As for which areas to reinforce, any corners that support large areas of the bumper will be flex points. I would just wiggle it about, find out where the weak spots are and just reinforce those points, if you do the whole thing it will make it mega stiff so if you bump anything it will just break all the mounting holes.

Also, try to keep the bumper in the same shape it would be when it's on the car, so lay it on it's front to do the resin, but stand it upright while it dries. Otherwise it will go stiff in the wrong shape and you'll probably crack it trying to put it back on!

AgtX1
Junior Member
6
02-08-2020, 06:04 PM
#3
Some good advice, thanks!
AgtX1
02-08-2020, 06:04 PM #3

Some good advice, thanks!

wullie_trd
Member
168
03-08-2020, 04:59 AM
#4
Could always fill the bumper with expanding foam
wullie_trd
03-08-2020, 04:59 AM #4

Could always fill the bumper with expanding foam

AgtX1
Junior Member
6
03-08-2020, 05:06 AM
#5
yeah I read that, so was going to strengthen & then foam it, shave it into shape, should absorb shocks better.
AgtX1
03-08-2020, 05:06 AM #5

yeah I read that, so was going to strengthen & then foam it, shave it into shape, should absorb shocks better.

wullie_trd
Member
168
03-08-2020, 05:11 AM
#6
Yeh man stop it breaking into a million bits if you hit a rabbit. Talking from experience lol
wullie_trd
03-08-2020, 05:11 AM #6

Yeh man stop it breaking into a million bits if you hit a rabbit. Talking from experience lol

sprinter2012
Posting Freak
2,484
03-08-2020, 06:28 AM
#7
I tried filling the centre bar on my Legana with expanding foam. But I made the mistake of covering the back of it in tape, which stopped the foam curing and it just sat in the bottom in a sticky mess. Lol

Sent from my Xperia S using Tapatalk 4
sprinter2012
03-08-2020, 06:28 AM #7

I tried filling the centre bar on my Legana with expanding foam. But I made the mistake of covering the back of it in tape, which stopped the foam curing and it just sat in the bottom in a sticky mess. Lol

Sent from my Xperia S using Tapatalk 4

Leg-Kev
Junior Member
5
09-08-2020, 12:00 AM
#8
expanding foam filler and then paint the back of the foam with resin to seal it when you are finished
Leg-Kev
09-08-2020, 12:00 AM #8

expanding foam filler and then paint the back of the foam with resin to seal it when you are finished

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