Crayon Sky Music

can i make the fenders on my kawasaki vn 1500cc classic out of fiberglass?

will it be strong enough to witstand the vibrations ect..if i use the fenders i have to make the mould will the making of the mould damage the existing paint on the fenders.

If you wax/PVA your fenders really well, it should not harm your paint — if it is a quality paint job

You may need to make a 2-part mould. I had to do that for my cycle fenders because there would’ve been no way to pull the part out.

First thing you should do is watch this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEa5_WHQZo0

Then watch other videos from this dude. Then read a book or get on a fiberglass forum like Werksberg http://www.compositeforum.werksberg.com/

Then try it out on some cheap stuff — using cheap gel and fiberglass materials. Don’t skimp on the PVA (and/or wax) or you’ll never get the mold off.

I order all my stuff from www.fiberglasssupply.com. You can get your resin, catalyst, fiberglass, catalyst dispenser, chip brushes, PVA, gel coat, mould-release wedges, and anything else you need from them. Ask them for “end of roll specials” on the chopped strand mat (CSM). I got an 11 inch wide by 50 yard roll of CSM for $12.

As far as strength — realize that strength in fiberglass comes from where the fibers cross and chemically bond. Also — you want a high fiber-to-resin ratio. So if you use a cheap CSM for your part, you will have a heavy/brittle part. CSM needs a lot of resin to wet-out. It’s good for hot tubs and boats, but not for a cycle fender. So get some 8 oz fabric and use at least 3-4 layers. You might have to do some extra stuff around your mounting holes for added strength. If you have tight corners, you might want to go to a lighter weight FG.

Since strength comes from the fibers bonding — any air pockets will be a weak spot.

Jeep Cherokee Chief fiberglass fenders