Author Topic: carbon fibre bonnets - where to get them done? (Read 7350 times)

noss · « **on:** Aug 18, 2003, 12:35PM »

i want a carbon fibre bonnet for my trx.. does anyone know where to get them done? i've rang around all the big bodykit dealers that claim to make custom carbon fibre bonnets for them to say they dont do custom work!

anyway, if anyone knows where i could get it done, i'd like to know where.. i'd do it myself, but i dont have a shed to work in..

cheers.

chucky · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 02:14PM »

this is kinda off the topic here but why are fibreglass bonnets always black? why cant they be painted the same colour as the car?

noss · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 02:58PM »

fibreglass bonnets are painted the colour of the car.. carbon fibre isnt, because it looks so sweet

Resin · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 03:08PM »

i have been thinking about getting one for car .....more for making the car lighter .....and hence slightly...faster

.........but this was a future mod ..........

does any one know if they are illegal? ...do u have to tell ur insurance company ...is it a prob ?

noss · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 03:34PM »

you'd probably have to tell your insurance company as they'd cost a fortune to replace.. i mean they're about 8-10 times more expensive than a standard bonnet.

noss · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 03:57PM »

ok, i found a place.. gp sportscars in bayswater.. the quote was about twice as expensive as what i was expecting to pay.. $2200.. so i'm still shopping around..

evenflow_trx · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 04:37PM »

$2200 ??! damn, a bit too much for me.

Tell me if you get any quotes cheaper than that noss

SSS · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 04:53PM »

Apparently if you've got a good mold (or can make one) it is easy as to make a fibreglass/CF bonnet/panel etc.
However getting a perfect finish on the mold takes time and a LOT of polishing.

noss · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 05:13PM »

well yeah, this one is so expensive because it would be a one off and would have to include the cost of making the mould..

SSS · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 05:46PM »

I'd like to have a go at making a fibreglass bonnet, but i don't know how to go about making the mold. Any ideas?

noss · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 05:55PM »

lots of alfoil?

MR.TRX · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 11:05PM »

try ALKON bodyworks i dont know if they still do em or where they are now...

some more ringing arond for you...!

chucky · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 18, 2003, 11:41PM »

Quote from: sssgtr on Aug 18, 2003, 05:46PM

I'd like to have a go at making a fibreglass bonnet, but i don't know how to go about making the mold. Any ideas?

perhaps a lot of clay or something similar, get your bonnet and press it in? *shrugs* im just thinking of how i used to make shit in yr 8 ceramics.

noss · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 09:41AM »

i could go back 1 more year to year 7 and you could use paper mache.. could work you know

(sorry not trying to take the piss out of you chucky)

Nate · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 10:11AM »

Great idea! Paper mache bonnet, and boot, and fenders... held together with araldite or something.. that would be such a weight reduction!

SSS · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 11:13AM »

I figured out how to make a half decent fibreglass/CF bonnet:
- Using the existing bonnet, cover in foil and glass over the top (same goes for the bottom if you want the re-inforcement structure which is a definate)
- I reckon 3 layers of glass either side should be strong enough, not too sure how i'd go about sticking the 2 sections together so they'd be the same height/profile etc as the original metal bonnet.
- Sand, sand, sand and more sanding. Layer of bodyfiller, more sanding for a PERFECT surface finish on top.
- Send to mr. CF guy and have him do the rest (sticking it in an autoclave for any decent strength and light weight).

chucky · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 12:00PM »

whats the weight of the normal bonnet and the cb bonnet? is there a huge difference?

SSS · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 01:47PM »

Steel bonnet: anywhere from 15-25kg
CF bonnet: approx 3-5kg.

evenflow_trx · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 02:17PM »

Shit, that is a significant difference!

FLOGTARA · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 05:10PM »

Far out! $2200 is outrageous. Think of all the other stuff you could do with that linda money! Noss i say, take out the spare tyre and the jacks and get a tin of gloss paint and paint your bonnet black. Thats what i call a buget job! hehe

imaspy · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 05:15PM »

Quote

take out the spare tyre and the jacks and get a tin of gloss paint and paint your bonnet black.

...someone seems confused

noss · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 06:19PM »

i could drill holes in my bonnet frame like the hardcore jap draggers do.

SSS · « **Reply #22 on:** Aug 19, 2003, 08:07PM »

Quote from: noss on Aug 19, 2003, 06:19PM

i could drill holes in my bonnet frame like the hardcore jap draggers do.

Don't be stupid. Use a holesaw. :smiley1:

Author Topic: carbon fibre bonnets - where to get them done? (Read 7350 times)

Nate