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wheelpant project

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bigblackmastiff

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Hi all.


I mentioned a few weeks ago i planned to duplicate a set of Waco Wheelpants to use on my bipe. I've got that underway now. So far its going pretty well overall. Its been awhile since i've worked with fiberglass and i've been reminded of a few pitfalls along the way.


I've made my first wheelpant shell in two halves...using the outer halves from each stock pant as a base for the layups...that let me omit the cutouts for the gear legs which are in the wrong location for my use.


I used 5 layers of E glass....easy to work with, though i know not state-of-the-art. I used Dow vinylester resin..also easy enough to work with. I laid up each layer one at a time. I think in the future i'll try working the resin in through all the layers as its more difficult to work the precut fabric shape on the piece once its got a wet layer on.


Though my first two pieces turned out ok, i wasn't at all happy with the mold release i chose. I used Maguires wax, but i guess its not compatible...you can see in the photo how the paint bubbled away from the stock pant. This didn't bother me....but i'll have to find something that works before the next go round.


Comments/suggestions welcome.


20070630_163556_pants1.jpg
 

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