posted
i have a convertable chrysler lebaron. in the back where the top comes down into, there is a vinyl skirt designed to coral an water that comes in and direct it to two little spigots in the lower section of the vinyl. the spigots have a legth of hose attached to each of them which drain outside the vehicle. my vinyl skirt is torn up worse than a tragic victim of a farming accident, and thus when it rains, the water collects up the rear seat and up around the compressor for the top. this is bad, and has be going on for some time.
now i either have to get a new skirt or fabricate a fiberglass skirt instead. my question is, would the fiberglass be affected by mositure in the vehicle in winter time freezing up and melting and freezing again when ever the car is used.
posted
ya i know what they use it to make, was just wondering due to expansion and contraction of air and the surfaces around it if it would crack. or would there need to be more movement than that, i mean i know it's strong, but just how strong is it. a boat is pretty strong, so long as you dock smack it off a docking plate (but thats a little bit of a different kinda of fiberglass). then there's the ****y polyelster fiberglass lawn furniature which can't hold up my fat relatives (great for a good laugh though when one of those babies gives way)
quote:Originally posted by specter: then there's the ****y polyelster fiberglass lawn furniature which can't hold up my fat relatives (great for a good laugh though when one of those babies gives way)
LMFAO
------------------ If Your Ears Arn't Bleeding....
Somethings Wrong With Your Equipment.
Posts: 1037 | From: Not where you are! | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
Just remember that they don't build these boats or cars out of one piece of fiberglass. They have to do it in pieces, so I would try and not glass the top at the edges. It would be a high stress point and crack the glass. Somehow keep the top separate from the metal body.
posted
it is a soft top, it's a convetable. either way, i've given up, of fiberglassing this space, it's gonna be too dificuly to work in this area for my first fiberglass job. i do however have to fix the wheel well in the trunk. it;s rusted through in spots (due to leakage caused by the former project) any ideas.
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Pioneer DEH-7200 2-15" Crystal CMP Mmatts D300HC CDTech hd642st Component Set PPI 4480 Butt Ugly Gold Convertible 83 LeBaron
posted
all the wreackers around here are rip offs. youd think theyed let you go in find what you need and take it off. pay some cash for it and go. but no, they've got it all cataloged and warehoused. it's alomost cheaper to get it new or referb. i got one more place to go check. but ya, i was eventualy going to get a new top and skirt when i had the cash. not really worth putting cash into this thing. kinda makes it less ghetto.
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Pioneer DEH-7200 2-15" Crystal CMP Mmatts D300HC CDTech hd642st Component Set PPI 4480 Butt Ugly Gold Convertible 83 LeBaron
posted
Even though you've already given up the idea, I have a little bit of info about fiberglass for you.
As long as the water is completely drained from the fiberglass area, there isn't any problem with moisture and freezing temps.
Pools of water left within a fiberglass cavity WILL crack the fiberglass when the water freezes, to a certain extent. A little bit of water isnt a problem as long as it has a place to expand to, but trapped water will cause problems. It's like leaving a can of soda in the freezer too long, versus an ice cube tray.
I build performance jetski parts with fiberglass and carbon fiber, on the side, so I've got quite a bit of experience with the stuff. Plus 12 years of previous fiberglass/composites experience. =)
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
R POT Designs - Carbon Fiber Watercraft Performance Products
Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
cool, thanks Mike. even though i've given up on this little project, evetually i will need to do some fiberglass work in this friggin car. i don't wanna drop alot of cash into this thing, cause i don't know how much longer it's gonna live. bying expensive stuff for the system is cool, casue i can always transplant my subs,amp, ect into another car down the road.
i gotta come up with a way to fit two 15's in this thing, and keep them safe from moisture (she leaks like a sieeve, most old Convert's do from what i hear). i got lots of room, but none of it will be easy to use. gotta deal with the space for the top when it's down, work around structural crap, deal with placement of the hydrolics and there pump. i wish i had 12's. forget that i wish my dad would let me put my **** in his car .
posted
Heh.. pull the hydros out and have airbags installed, their hardware can be installed to use up less room, like having the compressor and tank welded to the underside of the car. =)
There are ways you can build stuff for your car to divert water away from gear, but it depends if you want to put that kind of time into it. That's the great thing about fiberglass though, it's really easy to use and you can make just about any shape with it as long as the finished part can be removed from a form or mold. =)
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
R POT Designs - Carbon Fiber Watercraft Performance Products
Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
no no no, you misunderstood me, the hydrolics are for the top. it's run of a hydrolic pump using to small cylinders. who the hell would but suspesion hydrolics on an 83 lebaron. you'll understand when i get pictures up.
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