I'm Batman

Even after reading various threads on the subject, I'm still confused.

I need to make some repairs on my 77. None of these will be on exterior painted surfaces - all on underlying areas of SMC fiberglas. There are two types of problems I need to fix:
1) cracks and missing sections
2) separation from underlying body structures.

For the cracks and holes, I obviously need to use fiberglas mat and an SMC-compatible resin. What kind of resin should I get? Evercoat (which is what my local body supply carries) has an epoxy resin and an SMC resin. Which one works better? Should I look for a shop that carries a different brand of materials? I know that the older polyester resin isn't compatible with the 77 materials.

For the areas of separation, what is a good bonding agent? I only have to re-bond about 8" of one fender along the door opening, and about 4"-6" at the bottom of one door. Would regular epoxy be appropriate, or is there a specific bonding agent that would work better? If I need to get something specific to automotive use, what can I get in a small quantity at a reasonable price?

SMYDA

Check out (glas-ra.com) they have an excellent repair guides
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.

roger55

SMC started in the early 70's. However, the SMC on 84 and newer is a different ball game than the earlier SMC.

On the 77, I would use the Evercoat resin with the matting.

Glassbowtie77

I had the same question concerning the body panels on my 77 also. I decided to call Zip to find out what is the correct repair materials to use. This is what they told me to use:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4

They told me that the repair materials for SMC are for 82 and newer cars.

I'm Batman

SMC started in 66 on the hoods. All panels were SMC by 72.

I'm Batman

Which resin? The SMC resin or the epoxy resin? I'm leaning towards having the local paint shop order a small container of the epoxy.

However, that still leaves the second question - what should I get to re-bond the lower portion of the fender and the corner of the door to the underlying structure?

sarchevyman

Do a lot of research, information all over on this, just don't take what Zip tells you to the bank, the same company told me when I was seeking a part for my seats, that in 68 they did not offer headrest, needless to say I immediately looked elsewhere.

Glassbowtie77

I didn't say whether I thought they were right or not, I'm just passing along what they told me. I am continuing to research for the correct answer, as I am still confused as ever as to which is the right stuff to use.

CF6873

If you use SMC resin by Fiberglass Evercoat you will have no problems.

roger55

On your '77 that's what I would use.

84 and up SMC, I would advise differently.

CF6873

Roger, What would you use on 84 and up?

roger55

The later SMC compounds can't be repaired with regular fiberglass products
Duramix, SEM, 3M, or Fuzor dual cartridge repair systems should be used.

Epoxy primer helps with adhesion between the different products and should be used before polyester fillers and putties.

sarchevyman

Didn't say you did, just giving you a heads up in case you decide to use the info they gave you, go to
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/ or
http://www.autobodystore.com/
a lot of pros hang out there and you will get the answers you need

Glassbowtie77

I'll check it out, thanks for the links.

Georgia1974

Only my opinion. I do not have a experience with all the different products. But with all of the advice I have gotten from the forum I chose the Evercoat SMC resin and matte. My car is a 1974, I was really happy with the product, easy to use and it is rock hard and solid. I am also planning as Roger stated using the epoxy primer as a base and then polyester filler over the epoxy. Good luck

CF6873

Roger, I was wondering why you would not recommend FE SMC resin for later models. I know the dual cartridge products are very good but I believe the SMC resin would also work very well on late model SMC.

Craig

SMYDA

"Georgia1974" enlightened me on this in another thread.

Need to visit more often.
Learn something new everyday.

I've worked on a lot of Vettes over the years funny thing
is they were '84s and up or '72s on back. Haven't messed
with a C3 from '73 to '82 except for some real minor stuff.
And the last C3 was over 15 years ago...............till now,
I just bought an '81 I going to redo for myself.
How I missed all this beats me.

I have a repair manual from ECKLER'S I bought in '91.
When I did the last C3 a '72 coupe.
Had to go dig it up.........................

In it, it states using the same resin for all cars from
'63 through '82 and says that only replacement panels
were made of SMC in later years. I also noticed on their
web site that they don't offer this book any more.
And now they also note a difference in their resins.
Before they recommended #10708 or equivalent for all C3s.

Times have changed..........

porchdog

i use epoxy resin for all repairs reguardless of year but then i mostly work on 53-62. i also use epoxy for surfacing.

SMYDA

Originally Posted by SMYDA
First, SMC was not introduced until 1982 and then it was only
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.


Just an item of interest and to show I'm not totally crazy.
The above statement IS true, but let me explain.
Just a few details are missing.:o

I was looking through some old VETTE magazines
the other day and there it was.......an article written in the May '82
issue. It talks about the Budd Company that was developing the
new SMC glass and that it was first used in the rear quarters of the
'82 corvette and would be more extensively used in the new C4 model.

This is referring to the newer SMC and NOT SMC in general.

If anyone has old issues of VETTE magazine and
wants to look it up it's the May 1982 issue page 16.