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I've spent the last month or so working on the body of my '68 getting it ready for paint and am starting some of the finishing touches. I like nice, crisp lines wherever possible, so last night I did one front fender to a sharp point to see what it would look like. I like the look, but don't know how much sharpness I can get away with. It seems like it would be pretty fragile like this. Is it possible to build it sharper than the stock fiberglass? If so, how sharp can I make it?
I had the exact same question, so thank you for posting.
Before seeing the work you had done, I had mentally resolved that I would build up my "edge" in much the same way you did, so I was assured it was nice and straight. Then I would knock down the edge into a small radius, but the impact would be very slight
I agree with Alan. There is supposed to be an 'edge', but it is definitely a radius, not a sharp corner.
You can't have 'sharp' edges and expect paint to stay intact there. Body flex, heat, vibration will just form a crack right down that edge.
Edges need to be slightly rounded to distribute stresses, maybe .020-030" radius on the edges minimum. From 10 feet, it will still appear to be a sharp edge...but it will last.
You can't have 'sharp' edges and expect paint to stay intact there. Body flex, heat, vibration will just form a crack right down that edge.
Edges need to be slightly rounded to distribute stresses, maybe .020-030" radius on the edges minimum. From 10 feet, it will still appear to be a sharp edge...but it will last.
I know I'll have to knock it down some, but was looking for a guideline. Is that .030" range reasonable? Just a curiosity in case anybody else has been through this. The front clip is a hand-laid repro and it seems like all the edges just aren't as crisp as they should be (or maybe as crisp as I'd like...). For instance the channel on the inside of the hood surround is notably "lazier" than the stock '73 front I pulled off. Just trying to correct things while I can.
Thanks.
When I glued my hood surround on my 72 and used body filler, I made 3 or 4 contour gauges out of the plastic bondo spreaders. I had a 68 that was all complete that I could use as a standard to make the contour gauges (lucky for me). Then you can use your newly made contour gauges to build up the shape on your project accordingly.
Hardware stores also sell a contour gauge which looks like a bunch of wires in a single middle frame holder for woodworking. The individual wires slide back and forth and so you can copy a complex curve to whatever you are making.
Hope this might help, but for this method you need another complete Corvette to use as the standard.
Front fender ridge - how sharp?
