 |
03 June 2015, 11:29
|
#1
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Length: no boat
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 3
|
Fibreglass Helmet Repair
Hi,
I have a possibly 'unusual' problem. I have a fibreglass helmet for a costume, it made it 4,500 miles from Newcastle to Dallas Texas, but fell on a tiled floor in the hotel.
The helmet is now cracked, the crack is all the way through (the helmet is maybe a quarter to a third of an inch thick) and may actually be an inch or two longer than in this original photo. So I was wondering if there is any way to repair it?
I should also probably clarify that I did not make this myself. To be honest I'm not really the most DIY savvy (though I do try my best), so a somewhat simple solution would be preferable.
I have looked on YouTube and seen the whole process of sanding the area around it and using strips of fabric with resin to repair it. However the helmet doesn't need to be the strongest thing on the planet, it's not like I will be using it to actually protect my head, also if the crack was sealed but still visible then that wouldn't be the end of the world as it could be seen to be 'battle damaged'. I am also fully willing to find the type of spray paint used and repainting the repairs.
Thanks for any advice you may give,
Tony
P.S. On an unrelated point, if it can be repaired then I may make a mold of it over the summer and make a carbon fibre replica, as I hear that will be stronger.
__________________
|
|
|
|
03 June 2015, 12:29
|
#2
|
|
Member
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: north ayrshire
Boat name: charlie girl
Make: S/R5.4/regal3760
Length: 10m +
Engine: Suzukidf70 2x6lp 315
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,986
|
That looks like plastic not fibreglass so fibreglass will be no good car bumper repair adhesive might be the best bet for it or possibly use an epoxy like araldite to carefully glue the crack back together then disguise it best you can
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
03 June 2015, 12:38
|
#3
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Length: no boat
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 3
|
Thanks for the reply. It's definitely fibreglass, might just be a bad photo. Would the likes of araldite still be the best way to go without having to sand the outside?
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
03 June 2015, 13:48
|
#4
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: N. Devon
Boat name: (Not Another) Nutkin
Make: Highfield
Length: 6m +
Engine: Outboard, Honda 135
MMSI: 232036183
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,046
|
I'd be looking at a compound such as 'chemicial metal'. You'd mix this up then push into the crack / put a layer over the crack to stick it together.
If you can get to the inside it'll look better. If the crack is pretty thin then araldite or a superglue may well hold nicely.
|
|
|
|
|
03 June 2015, 14:17
|
#5
|
|
RIBnet admin team
Country: Ireland
Length: 4m +
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,898
|
If it's 1/3 inch thick and it broke clean through when you dropped it on tiles, then it's unlikely to be fiberglass (which should withstand MUCH greater forces). Any photos of the inside?
__________________
.
|
|
|
|
|
03 June 2015, 19:00
|
#6
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Length: 3m +
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,767
|
If it was me... I'd clean the crack out using some abrasive. Then put shiny side of sellotape to the crack and hold it in place with some low tack masking tape.
On the inside mix some pound shop 5minute epoxy up and run into the crack. This in places will run through to the tape which hopefully doesn't stick (if you had easy source of mold release agent that on the shiny surface if tape would be perfect.
Once set, remove tape and fill any gaps with an easy sand filler (either just a basic pound shop job if genuinely cosmetic and dry or two part car body filler). Then sand and paint. If still flexes I'd put some fibre based body filler on the inside if there is room.
I'm assuming access to these components is easier than gel and resin and CSM.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 14:31
|
#7
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Length: no boat
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 3
|
Sorry, I hadn't realised there were more replies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by treerat
I'd be looking at a compound such as 'chemicial metal'. You'd mix this up then push into the crack / put a layer over the crack to stick it together.
If you can get to the inside it'll look better. If the crack is pretty thin then araldite or a superglue may well hold nicely.
|
It turns out I do already have some Araldite.
Quote:
Originally Posted by willk
If it's 1/3 inch thick and it broke clean through when you dropped it on tiles, then it's unlikely to be fiberglass (which should withstand MUCH greater forces). Any photos of the inside?
|
I've measured an it's about 5mm thick.
I've just taken new photos of the inside and outside:
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 15:55
|
#8
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Town: South Yorks
Boat name: Black Pig
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: DF140a
MMSI: 235111389
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,167
|
Don't think that's GRP, looks like some kind of resin. If it was 5mm thick GRP, you wouldn't have a clean break from inside to out, you'd be able to see the strands.
.....sh1t happens.......
__________________
Rule#2: Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level & then beat you with experience.
Rule#3: Tha' can't educate pork.
Rule#4: Don't feed the troll
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 16:24
|
#9
|
|
Member
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Fort William
Make: Ribcraft 585
Length: 5m +
Engine: Yamaha F115
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,919
|
That's not a helmet, its a Power Rangers head!
__________________
There is a place on this planet for all of Gods creatures.........right next to my tatties and gravy.
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 16:28
|
#10
|
|
Member
Country: UK - Wales
Town: west mids /tywyn
Boat name: HAWK
Make: RIBCRAFT/ Suzuki 250
Length: 7m +
Engine: Tohatsu 3.8/15hpsuzi
MMSI: 235086594
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,270
|
Fibreglass Helmet Repair
Quote:
Originally Posted by A1an
That's not a helmet, its a Power Rangers head!
|
Dunno why he don't throw it in the bin and buy a new one might be his head that cracks next time after repairing it... Maybe he's a Yorkshireman 
Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net
__________________
When you get to the end of your rope..tie a knot and hang on..!!
Aberdovey Ribs
B.I.O.C.Member
B.S. LEADER |
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 16:38
|
#11
|
|
Member
Country: UK - Scotland
Town: Fort William
Make: Ribcraft 585
Length: 5m +
Engine: Yamaha F115
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,919
|
I certainly wouldn't repair it.
__________________
There is a place on this planet for all of Gods creatures.........right next to my tatties and gravy.
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 19:24
|
#12
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Length: 3m +
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,767
|
Its a stage prop not needing to function as a safety helmet
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 19:45
|
#13
|
|
RIBnet admin team
Country: Ireland
Length: 4m +
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,898
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShinyShoe
Its a stage prop not needing to function as a safety helmet
|
While I see what you mean, I'd like (in the spirit of RIBnet) to prove you wrong and insist that you see things from my point of view. I have facts, stats and an instructive video to back my claims...
__________________
.
|
|
|
|
|
06 June 2015, 20:32
|
#14
|
|
Member
Country: UK - England
Length: 3m +
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,767
|
Well obviously the issue there was not his broken helmet but his lack of automatic lifejacket or kill cord. Some people will never learn!
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Not Another) Nutkin
BLACK PIG
Piglet
Red Mist
