1971 Journey
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
So I blocked out the wheel arch and it was not too bad.
These shots are after wiping with acetone so it shows up all the mixed glass.
But I wanted the lip a bit higher so i laid some more glass to build it up.
And filled a couple of low spots
These shots are after wiping with acetone so it shows up all the mixed glass.
But I wanted the lip a bit higher so i laid some more glass to build it up.
And filled a couple of low spots
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hopefully after sanding this out i can do a thin wipe of FiberTech and it will be ready for final finishing by Peter :-)
Maybe I should not say that.....will jinx myself
Maybe I should not say that.....will jinx myself
Last edited by CraigH; Feb 8, 2018 at 02:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,265
Likes: 951
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
good points DUB, especially re pin holes
I am more referring to the "on the clock attitude" of the average repair shop that probably did the 3 repairs i found.
They did a skim of normal body filler not VPA.
BTW VPA is not easy to get in Australia as the vendor does not bring it in and it is prohibited from certain shipping methods.
FiberTech seems pretty good for some of the external places where it would have been used.
I am more referring to the "on the clock attitude" of the average repair shop that probably did the 3 repairs i found.
They did a skim of normal body filler not VPA.
BTW VPA is not easy to get in Australia as the vendor does not bring it in and it is prohibited from certain shipping methods.
FiberTech seems pretty good for some of the external places where it would have been used.
I am very well aware of the .."on the clock" attitude which can effect how well some repairs are done. That is a crying shame in this industry..but at many shops... the all might dollar rules.YES...Other Corvette Forum member from Australia also ran into the problem of trying to get the VPA there. What is crazy is that if you can get EVERCOAT products there..then someone should order a case of VPA. It is chemical no different than the RAGE GOLD that you might be able to get your hands on.
I have used the FiberTech and it is good if VPA is not available. Obviously it is not the same...but it is still good.
Your lamination looks good in the photos...so you should not have any major worries.
DUB
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I am very well aware of the .."on the clock" attitude which can effect how well some repairs are done. That is a crying shame in this industry..but at many shops... the all might dollar rules.YES...Other Corvette Forum member from Australia also ran into the problem of trying to get the VPA there. What is crazy is that if you can get EVERCOAT products there..then someone should order a case of VPA. It is chemical no different than the RAGE GOLD that you might be able to get your hands on.
I have used the FiberTech and it is good if VPA is not available. Obviously it is not the same...but it is still good.
Your lamination looks good in the photos...so you should not have any major worries.
DUB
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I purchased a couple of 3M sanding tools to make life easier and SunMight sanding sheets
They helped me get from this
To this fairly quickly.
Wiped with Acetone so you can see the laminations.
They helped me get from this
To this fairly quickly.
Wiped with Acetone so you can see the laminations.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:44 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Next I wiped the entire surface with Fibertech.
Then sanded again. Unlike VPA you can still end up with pinholes so next step will be a wipe of Evercoat Rage filler.
Then sanded again. Unlike VPA you can still end up with pinholes so next step will be a wipe of Evercoat Rage filler.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
However this is an Insurance job + + + so have to be careful.
We were originally going to paint the Hood, guards and blend back through the doors.
I just kept growing when we found things (Including colour variations on car).
If I was to do it all I would seriously consider glassing up luggage rack holes.
To be honest i just want it back drivable then i can go onto my rear suspension projects and later I can think about the stage 2 paint.
Vette was meant to be a retirement project but I am not retired yet.. have to leave something for later :-)
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
Seeing your gone this far it might be better to shoot the whole car!!!Your right about the Australian Evercoat distributor, no demand and limited shelf life of VPA.
I had to import my own. Being classed as dangerous goods means no airfreight and had to use a sea cantainer service.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Vette
Nice job on your last repair Craig. Amazing how repairs once found can grow larger. VPA became a good friend for me to have , to bad it's hard to get where you are but you do with what you have. GREAT JOB!
RVZIO
RVZIO
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thanks for the comments guys. Appreciate them.
Feel fairly confident now to cut, move or repair the glass.
Just wiped the entire repair with Evercoat Rage and when dry will sand 90% of it off :-)
Have to remove the other rear bar plus side markers then will probably do some clean up before dropping it back at Peter's shop.
Feel fairly confident now to cut, move or repair the glass.
Just wiped the entire repair with Evercoat Rage and when dry will sand 90% of it off :-)
Have to remove the other rear bar plus side markers then will probably do some clean up before dropping it back at Peter's shop.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Finished off the arch. Sanded till i could not feel any undulations. Left enough on for Peter to do more if he needs.
Then I gave the the rest of the car a bit of a wash (not the area with body filler)
Then I gave the the rest of the car a bit of a wash (not the area with body filler)
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:43 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,265
Likes: 951
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Best
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Craig, been following and learning from your thread and having had the frame recently PC I had been considering what the front suspension was going to be employed. Like you I chose GlobalWest/Coil Over (less the extended travel). Due to arrive late March. Your comment regarding smoothness of the system is exactly what i felt it was going to be. Talked with a tech there and he set me up, along with suggesting a 1 1/8" sway bar as i'll be installing a SB. Thanks for the tutorial/pics & comments on the system.
Best
Best
When I have the springs out u can move the arms smoothly with one finger.
On the road it is also very smooth with the shocks, springs and sway bar doing all the work and the bushes just letting the arms glide up and down.
Hard to explain but compared to the rubber and poly I had tried before its very different in the "seat of pants" meter. Also much quieter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,265
Likes: 951
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
Yes the Del-a-lum bushes are so smooth.
When I have the springs out u can move the arms smoothly with one finger.
On the road it is also very smooth with the shocks, springs and sway bar doing all the work and the bushes just letting the arms glide up and down.
Hard to explain but compared to the rubber and poly I had tried before its very different in the "seat of pants" meter. Also much quieter.
When I have the springs out u can move the arms smoothly with one finger.
On the road it is also very smooth with the shocks, springs and sway bar doing all the work and the bushes just letting the arms glide up and down.
Hard to explain but compared to the rubber and poly I had tried before its very different in the "seat of pants" meter. Also much quieter.
