Nemesis280zx Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 Its not my dream to do this, I just figure I would give it a shot to make some parts at a reasonable price for the Z guys. I also want to make more fiberglass parts there are not available that much anymore. I know this is going to be tough to do, but I have one of my friends that will be in this with me. As far as experience, I haven't had a whole of of it, but I have done work with fiberglass and bondo. The most recent was when I ran over my new MSA Style III bumper, broke in half and in pieces. I ended up fiberglassing it back together. I want to give it a try, so we will try it out with some test trial runs first and show you guys the progress and process. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Just to step in here as an admin. We've had a number of members start projects to build and sell parts for other HybridZ members. Most of those failed because the effort was treated as a hobby and the person doing the work didn't realize how much time and effort was needed to: 1. Design the parts. 2. Build the parts. 3. Sell the parts. 4. Service and repair the parts. 5. Keep up good customer communication. Failed projects like these leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth and pretty much every one of those HybridZ members who started something like this and failed are no longer members of this site - either voluntarily or after being banned. It takes a lot of work to produce parts for paying customers. About 10 times more work then it takes to make a part for yourself or a buddy. Keep all the above in mind when making promises. The admins, the membership, and your customers will remember your promises and hold you to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnosez Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 In the next few weeks, Z-Ya, Roostmonkey and I will be making molds of the front and rear spoilers and (we hope) the fender flares from the BSR 280Z. We have experienced friends who will be guided us through the process but we don't expect to be the ones making any of the parts that would come out of these molds. We plan on subbing that out to a very competent FG person. Should it all work out we will be back and let you know what we can provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Zone Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 I will second this statement; "It takes a lot of work to produce parts for paying customers. About 10 times more work then it takes to make a part for yourself or a buddy." My goal was to learn the steps of creating a fiberglass part, make it unique enough to limit competitors, and to break even on my investment. After two years I accomplished all three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudypoochris Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Out of curiosity 280Zone, what do you make? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280Zone Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Currently available in fiberglass, currently looking into Carbon fiber version. http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=101130 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis280zx Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Right we are preparing to get some body parts to fab up some fiberglass parts. We will definitely strive towards good customer care and relations. We will let you guys know our progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Miguel,I don't want to discourage you from persuing your dream but I got to ask. How much do you know about fiberglass? Have you build any fiberglass parts before? Do you have a place to work? Do you have the $? Fiberglass business is no jokes. I suggest you contact John Washington for some advice before you persue your dream. Good luck V. x2. I have made more than a few items from 'glass, helped my uncle on a regular basis, with his fibreglass business, I actually helped encourage him to persue it and helped with the first few products in developement. I've seen first hand what it takes. I almost took over what he started after he died, but due to health concerns coming from my Grandmother and even my Grandfather, they discouraged that. I think they both believe that the fibreglass and carbon fibre had a large part in his death, where as other factors were MUCH more likely. But since my Grandfather became executor of his "estate", and so I was at his mercy to have access to the fibreglass molds and supplies. The molds are still behind the garage 6 years later. Sorry got off on a tangent there.... The key to making quality 'glass or carbon products is in the mold. If the mold is ♥♥♥♥, then no matter what you do with the lay-up process will make any difference. The next part that makes a difference is using the right resin and 'glass mat. The crap resin you buy at NAPA or Canadian Tire will not only make it expensive but is not the best resin to use for a production part. Quick repairs to an existing 'glass item for the DIYer is ok though. When ever I can I avoid using the easily accesable resin mentined above and use un-waxed resin that can only be bought in 5 gallon sizes or larger, not cheap, but is the resin to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rztmartini Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I would be very interested in FG fenders. As stated before, they would probably be desired by those facing rust issues. If fenders were made, an idea would be to already incorporate a flare into it, be it ZG style or BRE or what-have-you. I would like to see a rough estimate as far as price too! To those who currently make FG parts, why havent fenders been done yet? Also how much weight savings might you get from these parts, considering there are enough layers of glass to be sturdy enough... speaking of that, when a friend and I were building our "pre-runner" trucks, both of us got fiberglass fenders, mine were about 1.5x the price he paid, but were solid as a rock and very refined. his could be flexed by pushing with a few fingers and were not even smooth in the flat areas. just goes to show you really do get what you pay for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 To those who currently make FG parts, why havent fenders been done yet? Also how much weight savings might you get from these parts, considering there are enough layers of glass to be sturdy enough... Weight savings is minimal (3 to 5 lbs) and its very hard to find an undamaged, straight left and right front fender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerz Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I bought a strut bar from him and I was happy with his work, yes i know it was not FG, but if he produces this kind of product you will be happy with it, i say go for it dude! He is good with the social skills too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 In most cases a glass fender weighs more than the steel counter part. When my uncle had his glass buisness going, we weighed parts to see if there owuld be or how much weight savings there was. My hood for my Skyhawk saved 20 lbs alone IIRC. The new hood weighed less than 15 lbs. Most fenders we found weighed only a few lbs, usually less than 10 lbs or so. In most cases the glass required to produce the same part with the strength needed to withstand the aero forces, or even just day to day use (shopping carts, leaning/working on the car, etc, came out to be around 15 to 20 lbs for the same area. This was taking into account a lightweight skin and then 'glass bracing on the inside. Just wasnt feasible from a weight standpoint. I cant imagine an S30 fender to weigh a whole lot on stock form. 'Glass fenders would be good for molding in flares, or widebody, or as mentioned where there are rust filled originals and finding metal replacements is next to impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bschiltz Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 If I were you I'd start out making a half dozen parts or so and selling ONLY what you have ALREADY made. DON'T TAKE ORDERS until you have established your process and can make the parts at a consistent quality and speed. I think the biggest problem guys run into when they start a project like this is they get in WAY WAY over their heads with people asking for parts and throwing money at them and they forget to manage them selfs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Weight savings is minimal (3 to 5 lbs) and its very hard to find an undamaged, straight left and right front fender. Is that over the stock fenders, or the lightweight thin steel units that they used on the rally cars? Muahahahahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wherezmytofu Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 realy REALLY interested in fenders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(goldfish) Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 It must be a tough business. Z fiberglass is looking to get out, among several other failed attempts that I can think of. I'm not saying don't do it, just it must be hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Challenger Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I know there would be interest for sub inclosures made from fiberglass that would fit into the spare tire well. Thats what Im doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsalguero99 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 do it .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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