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Plugging Luggage Rack holes

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 10:15 AM
  #1  
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Default Plugging Luggage Rack holes

Hi

What the best way to go about filling in the holes from a luggage rack?

Would it be necessary to lay a couple of layers of fiberglass mat under the hole inside the car before applying the filler?

Also just for a temporary basis is there a plug / grommet available?

thanks

Eoin
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 10:35 AM
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i used $3.70 worth of 5/16" carriage bolts and it is starting to grow on me.i thought about the filling thing but my gf likes the stud look.
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 10:39 AM
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Check your local auto parts stores. Might be able to find a plastic/rubber pop in type plug that could be painted to match.
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by briaineo
...What the best way to go about filling in the holes from a luggage rack?...Would it be necessary to lay a couple of layers of fiberglass mat under the hole inside the car before applying the filler?...
Yes. Lay up patches for the existing holes on the underside of the panel. Once those have cured, dish grind the top side of the holes. Lay up patches for the holes. If you do careful fiberglass work, you won't need much filler.

Prime the bare fiberglass.

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 11:14 AM
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Curious....what is a good fiberglass filler to use ?
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
Curious....what is a good fiberglass filler to use ?...
Honest answer: as little as possible. The intent is to repair the defect, not fill it.

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Honest answer: as little as possible. The intent is to repair the defect, not fill it.

I agree.....but what product ?
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
I agree.....but what product ?
Fiberglass based body filler ASKA-Bondo is one type sold by different manufacturers under different brand names is one. Designed to fill imperfections not make things with otherwise its problems. There is a product called Tigerhair which is fiberglass strands in resin that is good. Seems to be much more uniform and should block out fine.

Biggest problem is the "draw back or shrinkage" you can have and that comes from different causes. What is used as the base and how you sanded it (ruffer grit paper vs finer grit paper) and/or the primers/sealers you put over the repair getting the area ready for paint. Slower drying solvents vs faster drying solventss etc. Some people try to solve some of these issues by letting the area set for extented periods of time and letting the area "cure out"--before painting it.

My 2 cents---
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by MrJlr
I agree.....but what product ?
You'll want to use fiberglass matt (not weave) & resin, the bondo stuff from walmart will work fine. The process is more important than the matt/resin you pick as it is all pretty much the same stuff.
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by billcarson
i used $3.70 worth of 5/16" carriage bolts and it is starting to grow on me.i thought about the filling thing but my gf likes the stud look.


NYCE !!!
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by NassyVette
...You'll want to use fiberglass matt (not weave) & resin..
For repairs, yes, but not for filler.

...the bondo stuff from walmart will work fine...
Yep.

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 04:01 PM
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Hi

Sooner or later, the filler will shrink and show the holes.

To reduce this process, best is to find a old piece of Fiberglass panel and cut out plugs from it. Then put them into the hole with some resin.
The plugs will not shrink.

The better the plugs fit the less chance is there that the holes show up later on again.

Rgds. Günther
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 04:25 PM
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Hi,
I believe the way to fill the hole is to grind a shallow taper on both the upper and lower surface of the deck panel. The repair should be about the size of a half dollar. Do the entire repair using fiberglass and resin with NO filler.
Here's a picture of the repair on my 71's rear deck. It's been painted for 5 years and hasn't shown yet.
Using a plug of some sort is a lot easier unless you're painting the body.
Regards,
Alan

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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 10:25 PM
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You can fill the holes...but getting them to not show themselves usually requires a new paint job.
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Old Sep 15, 2010 | 10:59 PM
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A lugage rack don't look near as bad a a spotted rear deck.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi,
I believe the way to fill the hole is to grind a shallow taper on both the upper and lower surface of the deck panel. The repair should be about the size of a half dollar. Do the entire repair using fiberglass and resin with NO filler.
Here's a picture of the repair on my 71's rear deck. It's been painted for 5 years and hasn't shown yet.
I agree with Alan, did mine this way and it's been 3 yrs. and no sign if them showing up. The idea is to use as little filler as possible because filler will shrink and that's what shows up down the road.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 06:27 PM
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Lets see pictures of the carriage bolts!!
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Ret.Horsecop13
Lets see pictures of the carriage bolts!!
and your wife!....
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 09:54 PM
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the car is pictured on the ny state vette owners site.join up!the wife left me in 07.'the gf will be over in 10 minutes.
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