Fiberglass Repair

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Wed May 29, 2013 6:30 pm

Right, anyone used a fiberglass kit to repair a hugger or fairing mount point

Unfortunately the front mounting portion of my hugger has failed (bit that bolts to the front caliper mount) and I've lost the bottom inch or so of the material. I've used fiberglass to repair a car bumper before, but never a structural part. Any tips or good kits to buy

Britisherspy · Post by **Britisherspy** » Thu May 30, 2013 8:33 pm

Use Q-Bond - its the best stuff you can buy.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Q-BOND-ULTRA- ... 4aba9df06f
The black powder is for ABS/Plastic repairs and the grey powder for ally engine casings

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Fri May 31, 2013 6:04 pm

Ta, looks like a good product, but I'm going to have to 'build' a new portion of the hugger, the bottom inch or so has gone completely and I need to remake a mounting hole in that section

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:54 pm

Not a professional finish by any standards, but thought stage pics might help someone at some time

1) Remove the damaged edges and key the surface

2) Starting from the back, used an old bit of sponge to support the first layer

3) First couple layers on

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:00 pm

4) Onto the front after resin dry in about 10 mins. Decided to embed a washer where the bolt hole will go to strengthen it a wee bit

5) Front layers on

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:06 pm

6) First trim and a layer of body filler to give a slightly better surface, Re-drill the bolt hole

7) Final trim, and a coat of satin black & lacquer to finish

Ok, it's not terribly pretty, but it's saved me beer tokens on a new hugger. I just used what fiberglass, paint etc I had lying about

Now, time to sort the burst brake hose

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:12 pm

Rather than using fiberglass I would recommend epoxy resin . Any yacht chandlery will sell small kits of West Epoxy or SP Systems which have fillers( thickeners to make a smoothing and or filling paste) epoxy is several times stronger than fiberglass and will make a far more reliable repair. You should get biaxial cloth which you can build up in different directions for strength, or woven rovings which is stronger again. Thekits come with pump dispensers as accurate proportions of resin and hardner are required.Also it needs warm conditions to cure.

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:30 pm

Cheers eyore, Might have gone that way had I known. As it is I've just plumped for left over bits'n bobs I had. I did try to criss'cross the glass in smaller strips, so hope it holds.

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:27 pm

as eyore has pointed out, there might have been a stronger alternative (i wouldn't have known either) but what you've done looks mightily impressive to me. nice job.