How To Fabricate Automotive Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Parts

Fiberglass and composite parts are commonly used in many collector cars, hot rods, Corvettes, and even latemodel vehicles. Body panels, interior components, and engine parts are fabricated from fiberglass and composite materials (plastic molded or carbon fiber). While other fiberglass and composite material books have been published, few are focused on fabricating and repairing automotive parts, and this book concentrates on completing common and advanced projects at home in the garage. The reader is shown how to use glass strand mat, woven fiberglass cloth, carbon fiber cloth, and hybrid fabrics for particular applications. The strength of these mats and ideal uses are covered in detail. Also shown is how to correctly mix the typical resins (polyester, epoxy), hardeners, and gels. Core materials, such as wood, foam, and honeycomb Nomex, are often used to add strength to various parts. All the relevant tools, including mixing containers, holding containers, saws, scissors, files, and shaping tools, are discussed. Constructing wood patterns to exacting standards from wood, Formica, aluminum, and other materials is essential and covered in detail. Whether repairing existing components, fabricating new ones, building a race car, or restoring a classic, this is the one book to guide the reader through each critical stage. About the Author Dan Burrill is a freelance writer and photographer specializing in kit cars, hot rods, and customs. His work appears regularly in Kit Car Builder and several other magazines. Dan specializes in technical articles and is a former editor of Kit Car Illustrated. Jeff Zurschmeide is a freelance automotive journalist and the author of four other titles from CarTech Books. His work appears regularly in Forever MX-5, MazdaSport, and Subiesport magazines, as well as newspapers and magazines nationwide.  This comprehensive project book shows the reader how to fabricate parts.  In-depth, step-by-step procedures explain each step of the fabrication and repair process.  Weight-saving, non-metal, components are becoming increasingly common in modern automobiles, and will all eventually need some form of repair.