My spring break is next week and I plan on doing some body repairs that I've needed to do before painting the car and I have never done fiberglass but I want to do it myself. I've been reading how-to's, suggestions, advice, etc. but I ask the professionals specific questions I have.

What is the best way to fill in emblem holes? Cut really small fiberglass matt and glass it up?

On the edge of one of my doors, my friend opened the door and the edge hit the cement wall and a section of 1 inch long by 1/2 inch wide section cracked. I was told to put epoxy deep into the crack then glass over it. Is that correct? I'll try to get pictures so you guys have some idea what I'm talking about.

Thanks in advanced

 

Yes. Chamfer the holes a little to provide a tooth for the new matte and resin.

Depends on the nature of the damage. You might be able to V the crack and lay up a repair.

 

For emblem holes: Grind a crater 1" diameter so that the center is hair thin. You know you got it right when the emblem hole starts to grow.

If the back is easily accessible I like taping a piece of a yellow bondo spreader to the back. Fiberglass will not stick to it so it gives you a nice looking back side.

Take fiberglass mat and shred it (tear it into fuzz).

Use green painters tape and tape 2 layers around the crater in a circle.

Use good resin and a cheap paint brush (cheap brushes are stiffer). Dab resin into crater, add fuzz and dab to soak the fuzz. Keep addin fuzz and resin until the center is higher than the surrounding panel.

After it sets, take an angle grinder with a 40 grit flap wheel and SLOWLY knock the repair down until you hit the tape. Remove leftover tape. Use a block with 80 grit and finish the sanding.

When done this way the repair will never show in the paint even if you leave it in the sun for 20 years. Beware the temptation of using fillers instead of resin & mat. After a few years you will often end up with a circle in the paint.

I'd need some pictures of the door to tell you how to fix it. But here are some pics of how we fixed the front edge of my door.

 

In most of the repairs that I have done so far, the new glass is yellow.
Did you use some kind of dye or coloring to match the color of the existing glass?


KO

 

No dye or anything. We used Dynatron. It goes on honey colored but after sanding it turns gray.

 

Thanks for the advice guys

Any suggestions for product brands (for epoxy, fiberglass matt, resin, tape?)

I've been told evercoat is a good brand to use and available at most places.

Also, good paint strippers?

 

Resin: Dynatron
Mat: Bondo brand (yeah, weird, but it's actually quite nice)
Tape: 3M green
Stripper: "Low odor Aircraft Remover" by kleen strip.

We didn't use any epoxy products.

 

Good quick tutorial Zwede on a fiberglass repair.