I have a spare mint tailgate, that I am about to make a mould from in glassfibre, so that I can then use the buck and play with making a Carbon Fibre replacement.

 

I have a few questions.

 

1. Before I made the CF tailgate, I would make a GF test tailgate. Would that be strong enough to mount the standard rear glass?

 

2. Is there a replacement for glass that can be used that won't scratch like perspex?

 

3. Has anyone tried this before and have any tips or better still - bucks/moulds?

personally, i wouldnt like to put my faith in a f/g boot and a screen, BUT why dont you make / fit a tub into it?

 

all made in one piece f/g would sort the fitting issue, and be a nice touch mate

2. Is there a replacement for glass that can be used that won't scratch like perspex?

 

Polycarbonate.

 

Expect to get a poor fit though when you've finished, but good luck.

Good luck to you, FG (or CF) work can be tough but very rewarding. I might be a little concerned about the effect a lightened rear end would have on balance and traction though. Obviously under acceleration the front lifts slightly and transfers weight to the rear but under slippery/wet conditions this would be cancelled out and I imagine at high speed the car could feel a little (or possibly a lot) twitchy. Might be worth looking into different functional spoilers/ground effects to even things out? Or am I talking out of my bum? :D

Current weight distribution is 51/49 front/rear. I will have removed enough weight from the front of the car to make it 50/50 (bonnet/wings/aircon/engine internals/wheels)

so a lighter tailgate will just redress the balance.

 

I have no plans to use a GF tailgate - just test the mould. It's cheaper to experiment with than CF.

I have no plans to use a GF tailgate - just test the mould. It's cheaper to experiment with than CF.

Also need to take into account the method and what level of finish/strength/weight you want to achieve on the final one. Autoclaved pre-preg composite parts are high quality but high cost; oven cured pre-preg composite: medium quality, medium cost; resin infusion composite: low to medium quality and likewise for the cost; wet lay composite parts: low quality but low cost.

 

Edit: read the post wrong the first time, lol! :D

Also need to take into account the method and what level of finish/strength/weight you want to achieve on the final one.

 

Weave/resin/Industrial binbags/gaffa tape and a hoover to create a high pressure environment.

 

Don't laugh - you can make good parts like that!

Weave/resin/Industrial binbags/gaffa tape and a hoover to create a high pressure environment.

 

Don't laugh - you can make good parts like that!

Hey, if it works I'm all for the classic Heath Robinson approach! :D ;)

Best of luck mate, look forward to seeing the results :)

Polycarbonate.

 

Expect to get a poor fit though when you've finished, but good luck.

polycarbonate will scratch just as easy bud!

I have a spare mint tailgate, that I am about to make a mould from in glassfibre, so that I can then use the buck and play with making a Carbon Fibre replacement.

 

I have a few questions.

 

1. Before I made the CF tailgate, I would make a GF test tailgate. Would that be strong enough to mount the standard rear glass?

 

2. Is there a replacement for glass that can be used that won't scratch like perspex?

 

3. Has anyone tried this before and have any tips or better still - bucks/moulds?

I spoke to Chris at Getgreddy about this a few months ago and he was saying he knows someone thats doing the same project!! Great idea for weight saving!!

carbon fibre tailgate!! that would look impressive! good luck mate :bow:

carbon fibre tailgate!! that would look impressive! good luck mate :bow:

Yep! I'd like one of those!! :)