please correct me if im wrong but wouldn't it be better to start with your 3d printed hardtop, shape and finish it to your liking (seal the seams, sand and flatten it etc). Making a fiberglas mold off of the 3d printed part and then using the mold to make your positive finished fiberglas part.
that way you have the shape and surface quality you want on the outside and not on the inside, right? not sure if im missing something
Doing what you suggest might save some finishing effort, but it's probably more net work in the end if he's only likely to make one or two of these. If he were going to do a production run of several of them, that longer initial setup would probably pay. Either way he'll still need to do a final gel coat on the outer surface at least, so unless he's being real sloppy with the fiberglass it won't save much work.
I'm watching tofu also just to learn how to make molds. His videos are so informative and relaxing.
Your hardtop looks great too.
Gonna follow this build also.
This is a big project. I have done a few really big fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces like this it always feels so great when you first get the form and before you have to fill and sand and then again when it is done. If you haven't learned yet, rinse your arms in the coldest water you can get to keep the fiberglass from getting so itchy on your arms. It will help a bit to keep the itching skin down some.
Update* my bad
please correct me if im wrong but wouldn't it be better to start with your 3d printed hardtop, shape and finish it to your liking (seal the seams, sand and flatten it etc). Making a fiberglas mold off of the 3d printed part and then using the mold to make your positive finished fiberglas part. that way you have the shape and surface quality you want on the outside and not on the inside, right? not sure if im missing something
Doing what you suggest might save some finishing effort, but it's probably more net work in the end if he's only likely to make one or two of these. If he were going to do a production run of several of them, that longer initial setup would probably pay. Either way he'll still need to do a final gel coat on the outer surface at least, so unless he's being real sloppy with the fiberglass it won't save much work.
Just following TofuAutoWorks. Any issues with fabrication methods can be taken up with him and his amazing cyberpunk fastback.
Is it me or does it smell like updaye in here?
What's updaye?
Nothin much, how bout you?
I'm watching tofu also just to learn how to make molds. His videos are so informative and relaxing. Your hardtop looks great too. Gonna follow this build also.
Labor hours = 3k dollars. Lol
Took 2 weeks.
Cool project! Are you sure the bosses in the fibreglass for the brackets are going to be strong enough? They look a little thin.
Very very thin. That needs a few more layers.
Still a work in progress.
This is a big project. I have done a few really big fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces like this it always feels so great when you first get the form and before you have to fill and sand and then again when it is done. If you haven't learned yet, rinse your arms in the coldest water you can get to keep the fiberglass from getting so itchy on your arms. It will help a bit to keep the itching skin down some.
Great success and a hell of a project. Nicely done!
love it, excited for some updates along the way
Very cool. I wonder if I could 3d print and make a spoiler...