Priya's 79 chrome bumper conversion project
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
From: Kernersville NC
I finally finished the join line between the 79 and 70-73 ACI rear clip both inside and outside.
After I got the thickness I wanted along the bottom edge of the quarter panels the unhardened fiberglass wanted to pull away from the bottom edge because of the weight. Before it set up I got out the 200 mile an hour tape and taped the bottom edge of the fresh fiberglass up in place.
With the seam glassed up the 79's upper passenger side quarter and the ACI quarter look pretty close to the same level even though they actually aren't and the 79 upper quarter will have to be shaved down on the outside quite a bit to get an even transition from one to the other.
When I ordered the West Systems Epoxy resin they sent me the fast hardener by mistake. I ordered the slow hardener which was supposed to harden in 20 minutes instead of 10 for the fast hardener. I put in the recommended amount of slow hardener and it still took six to eight hours to completely harden. I then started mixing three or four pumps of fast hardener and one or two pumps of slow hardener and it still took three or four hours to harden completely which is actually just how I like it - it gives me time to lay up all the fiberglass I want for that day and time to go back and wipe up drips with acetone before it hardens completely.
I recently ordered a couple more gallons of resin and a quart of fast hardener and a quart of slow hardener. I'm not sure what was up with the previous resin and hardener I ordered but I hope the new stuff doesn't harden as fast as its supposed to either.
Next I need to add more fiberglass to the insides of the 79's quarter panels so I can shave away the outside surfaces without going completely through. I'm not sure if I'm going to do that first or go back to the bumper brackets. I have six bumper brackets modified to fit and four more to go.
After I got the thickness I wanted along the bottom edge of the quarter panels the unhardened fiberglass wanted to pull away from the bottom edge because of the weight. Before it set up I got out the 200 mile an hour tape and taped the bottom edge of the fresh fiberglass up in place.
With the seam glassed up the 79's upper passenger side quarter and the ACI quarter look pretty close to the same level even though they actually aren't and the 79 upper quarter will have to be shaved down on the outside quite a bit to get an even transition from one to the other.
When I ordered the West Systems Epoxy resin they sent me the fast hardener by mistake. I ordered the slow hardener which was supposed to harden in 20 minutes instead of 10 for the fast hardener. I put in the recommended amount of slow hardener and it still took six to eight hours to completely harden. I then started mixing three or four pumps of fast hardener and one or two pumps of slow hardener and it still took three or four hours to harden completely which is actually just how I like it - it gives me time to lay up all the fiberglass I want for that day and time to go back and wipe up drips with acetone before it hardens completely.
I recently ordered a couple more gallons of resin and a quart of fast hardener and a quart of slow hardener. I'm not sure what was up with the previous resin and hardener I ordered but I hope the new stuff doesn't harden as fast as its supposed to either.
Next I need to add more fiberglass to the insides of the 79's quarter panels so I can shave away the outside surfaces without going completely through. I'm not sure if I'm going to do that first or go back to the bumper brackets. I have six bumper brackets modified to fit and four more to go.
Beautiful progress!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I know you have used VPA in other ares of your project. Which is what kinda baffled me. I just did not want you to get the feeling or impression that the VPA was not going provide you with excellent repair strength in this area of your project.
Seriously ...you have really put some time into this ..I can see it in your laminations. And I mean SERIOUS TIME!
DUB
Seriously ...you have really put some time into this ..I can see it in your laminations. And I mean SERIOUS TIME!
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
So when I tell them that the locomotive is right at the peak...a lot of work has been done to get there...and when the locomotive actually gets over the peak....that is a good thing...and then when half of the cars is on each side...that is even better....becasue when it gets to that point...the momentum of the train pulling the cars over the top and down the other side is gaining momentum and that is when things finally go fast and all of a sudden...it is done.
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
I'm the same way Priya, when I see a camera come out I hide behind people and am too bashful, which is probably one reason (well ok there's probably more), I'm single.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Oyster interior
Hi Priya,
Check out David Howard's thread about his new project.
He might have the oyster interior stuff you wanted.
Good luck
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-family-7.html
Dennis
Check out David Howard's thread about his new project.
He might have the oyster interior stuff you wanted.
Good luck
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-family-7.html
Dennis