drivers side fender

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Jul 30, 2023 | 04:32 PM

jtbarras

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Feb 2023

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drivers side fender

hi ,i need some advice. i need to replace my drivers side fender. what should i buy ,i think the 72 s are fiberglass not smc thanks

Aug 1, 2023 | 06:57 AM

cottoneg

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2007

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From: New York

Not sure what SMC is.

Aug 1, 2023 | 08:21 AM

Mark.uli

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2023

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From: NJ->WI

My guess is he means sheet metal construction. If that's the case, then buddy, you have a lot of reading to do...

Aug 1, 2023 | 10:37 AM

timfoster

Advanced

Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Chelsea Alabama

I believe they are referring to sheet molded compound SMC panels

Aug 1, 2023 | 11:27 AM

69L88

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2006

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From: Apple Valley, MN

SMC (sheet molding compound) was introduced in the Corvette in early 1971, with some, but not all, panels. By 1973, all panels were SMC. What many folks don’t realize is that the earlier “fiberglass” is actually Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP), developed by Owens-Corning and marketed as “fiberglass”.

While both SMC and FRP contain fiberglass, how the resins that are used in their production are introduced are significantly different between the two. Very briefly, in FRP, polyester resin is applied to the fiberglass in an open mold whereas with SMC, the resin is mixed in with the fiberglass in the early stage of the “sheet” fabrication. Once the sheet is placed into a mold and pressed into its final shape, heat is applied to cure the resin. Part of the chemistry of the SMC resin is the addition of a mold release agent. You CANNOT use a polyester based resin to repair an SMC panel. You must use a resin that is specifically formulated for use with SMC.

If you can confirm you have an FRP panel, and the adjacent panels are FRP, then it is best to purchase another FRP panel and use a polyester based resin for the repair. If you have an SMC panel, and/or if you cannot determine if the adjacent panel(s) are SMC you can buy either an SMC or FRP panel but you will want to use an SMC resin.

Last edited by 69L88; Aug 1, 2023 at 11:33 AM.

Aug 1, 2023 | 11:29 AM

barkingrats

1967 Pedal Car Champion

Joined: Mar 2020

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From: US-PNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtbarras

hi ,i need some advice. i need to replace my drivers side fender. what should i buy ,i think the 72 s are fiberglass not smc thanks

From my readings, '72s used press-molded panels for the fenders but other smaller panels could have been sheet molded. The factory began using SMC for some panels in the early-C3s and went 100% SMC in '74 or '75. Zip has PM fender top surround as well as fender sides.