Randy,
Flaws is a very subjective term in this context. I wouldn't presume to
criticize your approach without knowing more about your skill levels
with these materials and techniques. But, I am happy to give you a
parallel approach if you're interested.
A couple of decades ago, I had a '50 Studebaker that I was determined
to make kool. The rear fenders were rusted beyond repair, so I set out
to make fiberglass replacements. Me materials of choice for the mockup
was plaster of paris. Of course, I didn't have the added challenge of
preserving a good part as with your Italia nose, so I simply built up
the areas that needed to be repaired or replaced with plaster and then
carved, smoothed, sanded and sealed the plaster. I should add that I
decided to add Frenched taillights as a part of the process.
Once the fenders were shaped to my satisfaction, I painted them with
several coats of that rattle can filler/primer from the FLAPS. Then
sanding and a final painting with Krylon gloss (color of choice) for a
slick surface. Then lots of mold wax.
When you have the parts waxed, you're ready to make your fiberglass
mold. Then on to molding your new part from the prepared mold.
It is exciting work to see something you've made from bags of dust turn
out to be finished pieces.
The Stude project died and early death, but I still have the fenders.
I'm hopeful that a friend who builds hot rods will do a '50 Skyliner
someday and use my fenders. We're watching for the right car on e-bay.
For your project, the expense of fiberglass would seem wasteful, but
your paper mache skills will be challenged.
I'd suggest looking into the plaster impregnated gauze that is commonly
used to make casts for broken bones. It's relatively similar to paper
mache, but gives you a much more rigid product. You could even add a
shell of fiberglass to that for added strength.
By using the plaster/gauze, you'd have a surface you could patch and
seal more easily, and I would think much slicker for a more precise
mold.
Are you planning to modify your kit nose once you have determined the
specifications necessary to make the F-275 grill work, or are you
thinking about making a new nose to bond to or replace the kit piece?
Lots of luck, and you know we'll all want photos when you're finished.
El Brown-O-
On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at 05:42 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I bought a genuine Ferrari 275 grill to try and fit the Italia kit. I
knew it would not fit when I bought it but it was just too cool to
pass up. It is substanially wider and the curve contours are not
quite the same. I want to create a mold of the Italia nose to see
what I will need to do without cutting up the Italia (measure twice,
cut one).
My plan is to cover the first 15" of the nose in plastic and
papermache it to make a negative mold. then fill the mold with
expanding insulation foam to create a foam duplicate of the nose. I
will then use this to cut into and determine the body
adjustments needed.
Any flaws in this plan? Any particular type of spray foam to use?
Randy
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