Has anyone ever seen or built a fiberglass bikini top?
- Thread starter Skyetone
- Start date
I guess a good question is .....why?? what is wrong with a cloth bikini top? I would rather have a torn top than shards of fiberglass raining down on my head in the event of a roll.......maybe its just me.....
seriously do tell us why fiberglass is your desired material in particular.
seriously do tell us why fiberglass is your desired material in particular.
Don't think it would be too hard, I would use cardboard as your base get itl shaped the way you want it and then coat it. Takes alot of time for all the coats, and to get a good finish, but it is not hard. I have thought about making fibergalss half doors, a top would be cool until you turtle on it
Bones
Registered User
- Location
- Kansas City, MO
I agree, just go Bikini. I ran mine all last summer, but ran thehard top once in Moab and that's when I rolled...go figure. 
Here's what happened to my old top. I think it looks gay, but he likes it to cover his girls from the sun, and he hauled it away, so I was happy
Here's what happened to my old top. I think it looks gay, but he likes it to cover his girls from the sun, and he hauled it away, so I was happy Bones
Registered User
- Location
- Kansas City, MO
Well one the fiberglass top is a spare so no real work involved. Two this is my girls runner. If she ever rolls it I would be amazed. Scared to wheel hard at all. I mostly want just a rain guard with the sides cut out. She wants to keep the full frame of the top for bolt in possibilities. We will see....
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Actually I can think of a few good reasons to make one. It will bea lot quiter than a flapping bikini, it won't come loose and accidentally come off when you are on the highway, and most of all it's custom and it's cool! And it will protect from rain and not leak, and will be easier to take off/put on. Maybe you can make a mold out of sheetmetal and them mass producing them will be easier. Cool Idea!!!! Make a bunch, sell em get rich.
EZ
EZ
Bones
Registered User
- Location
- Kansas City, MO
If a flappin bikini bothers ya then you're in the wrong hobby. My bikini never flapped much and never had a chance to rip off since it was mounted right. I don't really see houw it could be quieter or protect you from rain anymore that the ideal above with no sides I drove for a few hours in rain. The light stuff is no problem, the heavy stuff and 60 mph+ and it tends to mist back in and get the back of your mullet wet I used the stock hardtop bolts for mine and a CJ top/channel and it took all of 6~ bolts and 10 minutes of my time to remove.
All in all either would work, one is cheap ($70) one is free. Try the freebie and then go from there.
I drove for a few hours in rain. The light stuff is no problem, the heavy stuff and 60 mph+ and it tends to mist back in and get the back of your mullet wet I used the stock hardtop bolts for mine and a CJ top/channel and it took all of 6~ bolts and 10 minutes of my time to remove.All in all either would work, one is cheap ($70) one is free. Try the freebie and then go from there.
Bones-
It will protect from the elements better because you can't get a tear in it or a pinhole leak. Tree branches won't tear/punch holes in a fiberglass one, straps won't come loose, velcro loosen, snaps come undone, etc. The air pressure going over the top of a rig lifts a bikini upward, at least it does on a jeep, whereas a fiberglass unit will stay put. Bikini's never seem to be the right size, not wide enough, etc. (I always get dripped on) so building your own would make it the perfect size. The most important part of it that you seem to have missed is that it is custom! Custom stuff (at least well done custom stuff) is cool. Anyone can buy a bikini. Boooooooooring. I never said that making a fiber would be cheaper.
EZ
It will protect from the elements better because you can't get a tear in it or a pinhole leak. Tree branches won't tear/punch holes in a fiberglass one, straps won't come loose, velcro loosen, snaps come undone, etc. The air pressure going over the top of a rig lifts a bikini upward, at least it does on a jeep, whereas a fiberglass unit will stay put. Bikini's never seem to be the right size, not wide enough, etc. (I always get dripped on) so building your own would make it the perfect size. The most important part of it that you seem to have missed is that it is custom! Custom stuff (at least well done custom stuff) is cool. Anyone can buy a bikini. Boooooooooring. I never said that making a fiber would be cheaper.
EZ
Erik d_lux
Registered User
- Location
- Murray, UT
I made a lexan bikini that runs in conjunction with my soft top bikini. I did this for a few reasons.
When its nice out side I want to fold down my windsheild. Cant run a soft top without a windshield channel.
Another thing I did was tint the lexan bikini. Now my head wont get fried but I can still see up above me. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
When its nice out side I want to fold down my windsheild. Cant run a soft top without a windshield channel.
Another thing I did was tint the lexan bikini. Now my head wont get fried but I can still see up above me. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
Erik d_lux
Registered User
- Location
- Murray, UT
Originally posted by Skyetone
will I need some fiberbondo for where I cut? What is the best way to cut it? 24tpi sawzall? air cutter? TORCH
I used a jig saw. Sawsall seemed to be too aggressive for a clean, acurate cut.