actually, silicone grease is a bad bad idea. Also, you need a gelcoat... well, instead...
Wicked_KZ did describe a pretty good explaination of the process, but some things you really should do when dealing with bodyparts, or anything that will be painted (and the paint job will matter) include:
-using PVA instead of a silicone based product for a release agent.
-laying a gel-coat into the mold before you begin the resina dn cloth build-up
-wetsanding and buffing the sidcover to be used as a plug, since any scratches or roughness that exsist on it, will exsist on your mold, and having a perfectly smooth surface will always aid in the removal from the mold.
-primering the mold with 2k build primer, then wetsanding and buffing the primer will also help to remove any imperfections that exsist in the mold.
You can see that I have done quite a bit of custom work with fiberglass, and other composite materials.
Bud, something you might want to consider, since it is a motorcycle... Carbon fiber or Kevlar. Both materials are readily available just like fiberglass is, and you can have lighter and stronger parts that are impact resistant. Imagine doing your whole bike in carbon fiber or kevlar. Yes, gas tanks can be made from fiberglass, and carbonfiber and kevlar! Interesting bit of trivia for those who like that sort of thing... the 1967 bigblock corvette coupes had fiberglass gas tanks. wierd? Chevy didn't think so, and lots of them still hold up today.
imagine the possibilities... imagine the looks you'd get with a carbon fiber bike.
Well, I left a bunch of very important things out, and the best way for you to get more information on this sort of thing is to visit a discussion forum that is solely dedicated to this sort of thing. The best one out there is
www.fiberglast.com Check them out. They will take you from explaining all the words and terminology, to finished pieces that are bulletproof(and ten feet tall if you want them to be :silly: )
EDIT: Bud, since you said you wanted to make a newone from fiberglass, I never even thought to ask... What is wrong with yours? I can fix a lot of plastics, between plastic welding and special plastic "glues." Heck, they even make a new glue that replaces welding sheetmetal on cars. yeah, think about that! You might be driving a car that has had the roof glued on!
Anyhow, if yours is just plain missing, have you thought of casting a new one, from someone elses in a silicone mold, from plastic? That can be done at home, on the dining room table with virtually no more smell than that of a new pair of shoes, and it's readily available. I'm not gonna say "cheap" but if you can't find a side cover anywhere, any price within reason is better than no sidecover. Fibeglass would be cheaper, but casting things from plastic is fun, and les time consuming, and let's face it, more original looking for sure.
Wes gesund,
Post edited by: john68, at: 2005/10/24 16:46