spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
Hey guys, I need a competent Fiberglass shop to create a mold and replicate front fiberglass fenders on my Mitsu. Anywhere between Provo and Pocotello would be perfered. Thanks
Fiberglass
- Thread starter spencevans
- Start date
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
I already have a set of fiberglass fenders for my truck. They look similar to stock but they have a larger wheel opening. I just need a few copies of the fenders made. I got a price quote from a place in Georgia for that can do them for $200 a set, but i would prefer to use someone local.
Tacoma
Et incurventur ante non
- Location
- far enough away
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
Tacoma
Et incurventur ante non
- Location
- far enough away
I mean, any legal issues having another shop reproduce a manufacturer's product? Usually that kind of thing isn't exactly super legal. 
I"m guessing no one is currently making fenders for that truck?
I"m guessing no one is currently making fenders for that truck?
jsudar
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Cedar Hills
You don't have to change much to get around a patent. Just make sure your new fenders are cooler than your old ones.
Wax up the fenders you have and lay fiberglass over them. Pull it off and now you have a mold. Wax up your mold and lay more fiberglass in that. Now you have a fender. Expanding foam insulation works well for molds too, or so I've heard.
Wax up the fenders you have and lay fiberglass over them. Pull it off and now you have a mold. Wax up your mold and lay more fiberglass in that. Now you have a fender. Expanding foam insulation works well for molds too, or so I've heard.
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
I mean, any legal issues having another shop reproduce a manufacturer's product? Usually that kind of thing isn't exactly super legal.
I don't think so. The last time these were produced was 1984 by John Baker Inc. They have not been sold or produced for 25 years, so I don't think anyone cares.
Tacoma
Et incurventur ante non
- Location
- far enough away
As I suspected. Excellent! and nice find, too!!
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
I still need a fiberglass shop, any help would be much appreciated.
scoutabout
None
$200 per piece is probably the price, but how much for the mold? Molds are usually priced by the square foot, and pieces are time+materials. If the place you talked to will make a quality copy of a full size fender for $200 total, please send me their contact information. If you're having a good mold produced, the cost will be $500-$2000 for a typical fender depending on complexity, mount points, etc, etc. It'll be cheaper if you're only planning on making one set, but if you want to make multiple sets it becomes even more important for a good mold.
If you copy and reproduce OEM components and try to advertise/sell them commercially, you will get a letter or phone call from the legal department of the original components manufacturer. It doesn't matter how old the design is. Whether or not they can actually defend their original design is debatable, but such things rarely go to court for a ton of different reasons. Even changing it a little still leaves the original design features intact (mounting points, application, size, etc), and someone will come after you if you are actually making any money.
If you're just making some as spares or making some for a few friends (even a few dozen friends), you'll have absolutely no problems.
If you copy and reproduce OEM components and try to advertise/sell them commercially, you will get a letter or phone call from the legal department of the original components manufacturer. It doesn't matter how old the design is. Whether or not they can actually defend their original design is debatable, but such things rarely go to court for a ton of different reasons. Even changing it a little still leaves the original design features intact (mounting points, application, size, etc), and someone will come after you if you are actually making any money.
If you're just making some as spares or making some for a few friends (even a few dozen friends), you'll have absolutely no problems.
Last edited:
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
Well currently I have no plans of selling fenders, but no one really cares, these are 25 year old offroad fenders we are replicating. These are not even OEM fenders. We also plan on eliminating the metal support from these 25 year old fenders with a new design along with adding more flare. I also want 4 or 5 extra sets as backups, spares, target practice, or whatever else come to mind. Here is what we are dealing with. The wheel opening at the bottom is 6" wider than stock which is alot.
scoutabout
None
If you make money, it almost doesn't matter what changes are made to the design. If there's money to be had, someone will sue (or threaten to sue) for it.
If you're making them for yourself/friends, then you'll never have a problem (as I mentioned).
So, is the $200/piece include a mold or what? I know of a great fiberglass/carbon fiber place in Dallas and a great fiberglass guy in Springfield, Missouri, but that probably doesn't help you. If it can help, let me know and I'll send you their info.
If you're making them for yourself/friends, then you'll never have a problem (as I mentioned).
So, is the $200/piece include a mold or what? I know of a great fiberglass/carbon fiber place in Dallas and a great fiberglass guy in Springfield, Missouri, but that probably doesn't help you. If it can help, let me know and I'll send you their info.
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
Currently I only have one option, I spoke with a guy in Georgia and that does great glass work and he quoted me $2-300 a set if I buy at least 5 sets. He said he needs me to buy at least five set to cover the cost of the molds.
NOT MINE!
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=5887435&cat=103&lpid=
$2,500
Glass Craft Fiber Glass Machine
West Point, UT 84015 - Mar 18, 2009
Build your own truck shells, boats, canoes, kayaks, hot tubs, and much more from Fiber Glass and/or Gel Coat with this unit complete with cart, swing arm boom, pump, pressure pot and chopper. This is a production scale unit. Maybe 30 gallons of product has been through it. Excellent for manufacturing. It came with other items I wanted. Just don't need it.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=5887435&cat=103&lpid=
$2,500
Glass Craft Fiber Glass Machine
West Point, UT 84015 - Mar 18, 2009
Build your own truck shells, boats, canoes, kayaks, hot tubs, and much more from Fiber Glass and/or Gel Coat with this unit complete with cart, swing arm boom, pump, pressure pot and chopper. This is a production scale unit. Maybe 30 gallons of product has been through it. Excellent for manufacturing. It came with other items I wanted. Just don't need it.
spencevans
Overlander
- Location
- Farmington
I found a place up here in Cache Valley that does glass work called Terry's Fiberglass. They are a little pricey but they said they would be willing to do it.