My biggest bug-bear about most kit-oriented GRP seats is the nasty rough finish on the rear and sides.
Does anyone know of any manufacturers who gel-coat all faces?
The method they use to make them, there is little advantage other than making it the same colour. It will never have the same finished surface look as
it isn't a moulded surface....
Buy a pot of gelcoat (well flowcoat really) and apply it yourself!
Technically the finish on the back would be a Flo-coat. Mix of Gel-Coat, Resin and Paraffin Wax.
Most manufacturers wouldn't do it because it adds weight without adding strength. a better solution would be surfacing tissue. Not as smooth but
much lighter.
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Buy a pot of gelcoat (well flowcoat really) and apply it yourself!
Judging by the pics ive seen of JK ones, some of them look gloss, maybe its an option?. (not the pics on their site btw as they are all low res front
shots)
[Edited on 1/3/12 by loggyboy]
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Buy a pot of gelcoat (well flowcoat really) and apply it yourself!
Cheers... is it that straightforward?
Well hurrah and huzzah (whatever that actually means!). Will give it a go when the time comes!
Another option would be flocking.
Cheers
Davie
Vinyl wrap?
..........................................
tillett...................................
will match carbon tub loverly jubberley tubberly.....
dont forget to buy the wrong size and sell them to me for half price before you get the correct ones. 
[Edited on 1/3/2012 by ashg]
When I asked about Triton seats rear finish ages ago, he mentioned the option of adding some sort of paper to the back of the seat when they are made,
apparently it gives a 'neater' finish.
Just found the reply:
'If you let me have your email address I will send you some pics of the backs but the standard finish is matt....I can however finish the backs
as per the superlite seats with surface tissue which gives a much nicer smoother finish. £5.00 per pair extra for the tissue'
I did ask for some pictures but never got them.
Has anyone else got Triton seats with this finish on the back ??
Im going to go for GRP seats when i get round to needing seats (probably about 5 years judging by current progress) but i am with you on this one
scootz, it would be nice to have a neater finish on the rear, especially as im short because the driver seat will be well forward of the interior ali
back panel.
Does nobody do the "double skinned" seats anymore?
quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
When I asked about Triton seats rear finish ages ago, he mentioned the option of adding some sort of paper to the back of the seat when they are made, apparently it gives a 'neater' finish.
Just found the reply:
'If you let me have your email address I will send you some pics of the backs but the standard finish is matt....I can however finish the backs as per the superlite seats with surface tissue which gives a much nicer smoother finish. £5.00 per pair extra for the tissue'
I did ask for some pictures but never got them.
Has anyone else got Triton seats with this finish on the back ??
Im going to go for GRP seats when i get round to needing seats (probably about 5 years judging by current progress) but i am with you on this one scootz, it would be nice to have a neater finish on the rear, especially as im short because the driver seat will be well forward of the interior ali back panel.
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Buy a pot of gelcoat (well flowcoat really) and apply it yourself!
Cheers... is it that straightforward?
quote:
Originally posted by Chippy
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Buy a pot of gelcoat (well flowcoat really) and apply it yourself!
Cheers... is it that straightforward?
Well not quite, for a start you will only be able to apply one coat due to the wax content, and very often that will come out too thin. What you need to do is apply a couple, or more, coats of gelcoat, they won't fully dry, but will stay tacky, once you have enough thickness, then apply a coat of flowcoat, this will set hard, and because it excludes air from the gelcoat that will set hard as well. Then get the wet and dry out, (400 grit), and cut back to a nice flat surface, then buff to a high shine. HTH Ray
I also wanted a smooth finish to the rear of my carbon fibre pre-preg seats. The easiest way to acheive this is to spray them. The process was to
flat them back with 240 grit, then used a high build polyester based primer to get a smooth surface. They were as rough if not rougher than GRP seat
backs before paint. Then finshed with the colour coat and lacquer. Went with the Mclaren chrome paint to fit the scheme of my car:
quote:
Originally posted by mabbs
I also wanted a smooth finish to the rear of my carbon fibre pre-preg seats. The easiest way to acheive this is to spray them. The process was to flat them back with 240 grit, then used a high build polyester based primer to get a smooth surface. They were as rough if not rougher than GRP seat backs before paint. Then finshed with the colour coat and lacquer. Went with the Mclaren chrome paint to fit the scheme of my car:
quote:
Originally posted by mabbs
I also wanted a smooth finish to the rear of my carbon fibre pre-preg seats. The easiest way to acheive this is to spray them. The process was to flat them back with 240 grit, then used a high build polyester based primer to get a smooth surface. They were as rough if not rougher than GRP seat backs before paint. Then finshed with the colour coat and lacquer. Went with the Mclaren chrome paint to fit the scheme of my car:
JK composites seats dont have a Gel coat back but they have a very neat pattern which I think looks fine
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by mabbs
I also wanted a smooth finish to the rear of my carbon fibre pre-preg seats. The easiest way to acheive this is to spray them. The process was to flat them back with 240 grit, then used a high build polyester based primer to get a smooth surface. They were as rough if not rougher than GRP seat backs before paint. Then finshed with the colour coat and lacquer. Went with the Mclaren chrome paint to fit the scheme of my car:
Looks really good... who did you get the seats from?