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GRP Sheet
pekwah1 - 11/9/18 at 04:25 PM

Hi,

I'm trying to buy some black GRP sheet, only around 1mm thick or so, but need 1-2 metre lengths.
Anyone have any idea where i can get it from without paying the earth?

Thanks,
Andy

owelly - 11/9/18 at 07:14 PM

It's expensive to buy new so look at commercial vehicle breakers yards.....chop the side out of a Luton van.

Charlie_Zetec - 12/9/18 at 10:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
It's expensive to buy new so look at commercial vehicle breakers yards.....chop the side out of a Luton van.


Good luck peeling GRP away from a panel on a van or commercial vehicle side! Even with redundant vehicles, assuming the laminate is still intact, the weakest substrate is usually the ply/foam/honeycomb core - so you'll never end up with a good back side. And with a thin laminate such as circa 1mm, the tearing of it will usually lead to surface cracking.

Best bet is to try and find a local (independent) panel manufacturer and see if they've got any offcuts or extra stock lying on the shelf that they'd be prepared to part with.


PS - PM sent to OP.

[Edited on 12/9/18 by Charlie_Zetec]

Mash - 12/9/18 at 10:21 AM

Roof of a luton might do it, they're usually just grp sheet

Charlie_Zetec - 12/9/18 at 11:26 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Mash
Roof of a luton might do it, they're usually just grp sheet


Luton roof laminate is usually 1.2-1.3mm thick, and opal coloured. Worth noting that it's composition is predominantly resin with chopped rovings (literally small strands of glass) rather than chopped strand mat (stronger). If you're happy with that, you might be able to separate it if material is bonded using adhesive tape, but if it's stuck t the roof stick with wet polyester, it won't come apart easily.

minitici - 12/9/18 at 01:05 PM

Laminate your own on a sheet of Aluminium (with suitable release agent of course).

nick205 - 12/9/18 at 02:14 PM

Does it have to be GRP?

A sheet of 1.0-1.5mm thick Aluminium alloy should do the job. Be easier to cut, bend and make fixing holes in it as well.

owelly - 12/9/18 at 08:58 PM

quote:

Good luck peeling GRP away from a panel on a van or commercial vehicle side! Even with redundant vehicles, assuming the laminate is still intact, the weakest substrate is usually the ply/foam/honeycomb core - so you'll never end up with a good back side. And with a thin laminate such as circa 1mm, the tearing of it will usually lead to surface cracking.


I managed to harvest quite a few sheets from various vehicles. Enough to reline the inside of my ambulance, garden shed and shower-room....

Charlie_Zetec - 12/9/18 at 09:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
quote:

Good luck peeling GRP away from a panel on a van or commercial vehicle side! Even with redundant vehicles, assuming the laminate is still intact, the weakest substrate is usually the ply/foam/honeycomb core - so you'll never end up with a good back side. And with a thin laminate such as circa 1mm, the tearing of it will usually lead to surface cracking.


I managed to harvest quite a few sheets from various vehicles. Enough to reline the inside of my ambulance, garden shed and shower-room....


You’ve done well, then! I’m assuming that it must’ve been dry freight panels with a honeycomb (or similar) core where surface adhesion area was small? A refrigerated panel (ply and foam cores) is pressed with adhesive that should never allow it to de-laminate or be pulled apart....

steve m - 13/9/18 at 07:41 AM

What are you building Andy ?

steve