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Old 03-25-2008, 08:59 PM
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Default Drilling into painted fiberglass

I'm getting my car soon and there was a "mix up" at the factory (Peter!!!). I am building as close a clone as I can of his orginal csx car. Bottom line is I had requested holes be drilled into the proper position so I could install the street washer bottle and associated nipples to the right and left of the wiper arms. Well, that one slipped through the cracks, no big deal.

Anyone have an experience drilling into their car? A budy of mine has an ERA 289 and said he had to drill all his holes for the emblems and it was really no big deal.

I assume I do my measurements, use masking tape, drill a pilot hole to start and slowly make it bigger to fit the size of the hole I need.

John also told me that the area under the hole needs to be counter sunk so I can screw on the washer and nut that holds the nipple in place.

Anyone done this?

Last edited by 428street; 03-25-2008 at 09:02 PM..
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Old 03-25-2008, 09:16 PM
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I did a number of holes in my Lonestar after painting, and pretty much the way you described "do my measurements, use masking tape, drill a pilot hole to start and slowly make it bigger to fit the size of the hole I need." Not that difficult, but as always, MEASURE 18 TIMES, DRILL ONCE!!

I didn't counter sink under ANY of my drilled holes, and would be wary of that. The fiberglass is not THAT thick, and I would be really nervous about judging the depth of the countersink!!!!!

If the nipple is short though, I guess you have no other options. Can you find nipples with longer threads perhaps?

Glyn
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Old 03-25-2008, 11:03 PM
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Agree with Glyn....and use new or very sharp bits. Pilot holes a must.
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Old 03-26-2008, 07:35 AM
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I spin the bits backwards, prevents the bit from lifting the gel coat.
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Old 03-26-2008, 07:50 AM
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For me taping area big enough to prevent the dumb mistakes is a must. Final drill bit is run at high speed but very little pressure. Pilot hole, step up in sizes till close to final diameter. If final bit only has to increase hole by maybe 20% and is sharp, high speed but light pressure it will not grab a big bite.

Really no big deal, just measure twice.
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Old 03-26-2008, 08:47 AM
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There are drill bits made especially for "Plastic". They have a sharper point (less included angle). Consequently less chance of chipping paint or damaging Fiberglass. Be sure any and all bits are VERY SHARP.
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Old 03-26-2008, 09:18 AM
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I did the same as GlynMeek. Turned out good.

Dust off your work area a lot.

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Old 03-26-2008, 12:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rdorman View Post
I spin the bits backwards, prevents the bit from lifting the gel coat.
You can also use a counter sink bit before you drill the hole to cut away the gel and prevent it from lifting when you drill into it. This is a trick I learned from a guy that rigs custom boats.
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Old 03-26-2008, 02:46 PM
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Mask the area of the hole to be drilled, lay out your measurement and coat the pilot bit with silicone, drill slowly, then use a silicone spray and spray into the pilot hole, coat the next bit with silicone and make sure "All" your bits are sharp. I've used this method on my Cobra and various boats over the years.

Also pilot point bits work the best, IMO
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Old 03-26-2008, 04:56 PM
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Thanks guys I appreciate the advice...seems straight forward, measure three times, cut once. Use sharp bits...countersink possible gel coat.
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Old 03-26-2008, 07:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rdorman View Post
I spin the bits backwards, prevents the bit from lifting the gel coat.
That is how I did itand it is almost as easy as drilling forward
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Last edited by Ibr8k4vetts; 04-12-2008 at 11:44 PM..
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Old 03-26-2008, 07:40 PM
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I'm going to ask a stupid ? but when you guys say spin the bit backwards I assume you mean in reverse correct?
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Old 03-26-2008, 07:43 PM
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correct
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Old 04-12-2008, 02:27 PM
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Drilling into the fiberglass is done with a sharp drill bit and I like to start with a very small drill first, like a 1/16 then after you have verified that the hole is in the correct location you can move up to the desired size. If the hole is off alittle you can use a 1/8 inch drill to hog it out to the correct location the chase it with your desired drill size. If you need more information just give me a call

Ron

Last edited by Metal-morphous; 04-13-2008 at 10:23 AM..
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