SENIOR CAR BODY LAMINATION TECHNIQUES

Derby Tech - Jan-March, 1988

by Bruce Finwall

The most common method for senior body construction is laminated wood strips covered with fiberglass. There are several techniques you can use to get your wood strips to form the shape that you want for your racer. Here are several ideas which may help you in the construction of your next racer:

EXTERIOR FORMER TECHNIQUE

Build car in two halves (top and bottom) Laminate sticks all the way around the inside of your formers Lay your floorboard into the bottom shell, level, and fiberglass into position.

Optional method requires more floorboard shaping.

EXTERIOR FORMERS

• are easier to keep aligned
• provide a leveling control to help you install your floorboard.

INTERIOR FORMER TECHNIQUE

Laminate all the way around. No glue between sticks here (car in two pieces - top and bottom) Remove the body from the formers. Lay you floorboard into the body, level, and fiberglass into place. Fiberglass your two body halves together.

Optional method. Laminate part way around. Knock interior formers out when done.

INTERIOR FORMERS

• are easier to use if your car body has complex curves or tight curves.
• uses less material to build this style of former, less time too.

Tip: Always use wax paper or tape on your formers between your car body, or else you will glue your car body to your formers!

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