Hole patching question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Hole patching question
My '70 C3 was painted in a custom color by the original owner and after trying to match the color (close but not acceptable in my opinion) I have decided to just go ahead and repaint the entire car back to the original Mulsane Blue (as I have been watching on BT and come to the conclusion the original colors fetch more on resale).
Here is my delema, My exhaust is completely welded in so making removing the fuel tank virtually impossible (I have researched this extensively).
My car has a luggage rack which is pitted and I am thinking of patching the holes but obviously I can't get to the underside. I have removed the luggage rack and the old well nuts.
Can holes be effectively be patched from just the top? If so what is the best method?
Here is my delema, My exhaust is completely welded in so making removing the fuel tank virtually impossible (I have researched this extensively).
My car has a luggage rack which is pitted and I am thinking of patching the holes but obviously I can't get to the underside. I have removed the luggage rack and the old well nuts.
Can holes be effectively be patched from just the top? If so what is the best method?
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,076
Likes: 4,430
From: Marlton NJ
If you do not patch those holes correctly, from both sides, they will show thru the paint later.
They may show anyway unless done very well.
I am in the same boat and have to fill my luggage rack holes before paint.
But my car also has a huge 45 degree splice in the RR tail that was done 30 years ago, and does not show to this day. So it can be done. It has full length home made bonding strips underneath it, from the center of the RR fenderwell, all the way to the center rear lock on the tail panel. It is a huge splice.
Just bite the bullet now.
Exhaust band clamps.
Get underneath and do it right.
They may show anyway unless done very well.
I am in the same boat and have to fill my luggage rack holes before paint.
But my car also has a huge 45 degree splice in the RR tail that was done 30 years ago, and does not show to this day. So it can be done. It has full length home made bonding strips underneath it, from the center of the RR fenderwell, all the way to the center rear lock on the tail panel. It is a huge splice.
Just bite the bullet now.
Exhaust band clamps.
Get underneath and do it right.
Last edited by leigh1322; Nov 20, 2023 at 02:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Santa Clarita, CA
If you do not patch those holes correctly, from both sides, they will show thru the paint later.
They may show anyway unless done very well.
I am in the same boat and have to fill my luggage rack holes before paint.
But my car also has a huge 45 degree splice in the RR tail that was done 30 years ago, and does not show to this day. So it can be done. It has full length home made bonding strips underneath it, from the center of the RR fenderwell, all the way to the center rear lock on the tail panel. It is a huge splice.
Just bite the bullet now.
Exhaust band clamps.
Get underneath and do it right.
Band clamps
They may show anyway unless done very well.
I am in the same boat and have to fill my luggage rack holes before paint.
But my car also has a huge 45 degree splice in the RR tail that was done 30 years ago, and does not show to this day. So it can be done. It has full length home made bonding strips underneath it, from the center of the RR fenderwell, all the way to the center rear lock on the tail panel. It is a huge splice.
Just bite the bullet now.
Exhaust band clamps.
Get underneath and do it right.
Band clamps
Looks like I will be searching for a rechrome service to plate my original rack since all the aftermarket ones have different mounting hole dimensions.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 1,587
From: los altos hills california
My '70 C3 was painted in a custom color by the original owner and after trying to match the color (close but not acceptable in my opinion) I have decided to just go ahead and repaint the entire car back to the original Mulsane Blue (as I have been watching on BT and come to the conclusion the original colors fetch more on resale).
Here is my delema, My exhaust is completely welded in so making removing the fuel tank virtually impossible (I have researched this extensively).
My car has a luggage rack which is pitted and I am thinking of patching the holes but obviously I can't get to the underside. I have removed the luggage rack and the old well nuts.
Can holes be effectively be patched from just the top? If so what is the best method?
Here is my delema, My exhaust is completely welded in so making removing the fuel tank virtually impossible (I have researched this extensively).
My car has a luggage rack which is pitted and I am thinking of patching the holes but obviously I can't get to the underside. I have removed the luggage rack and the old well nuts.
Can holes be effectively be patched from just the top? If so what is the best method?
Bite the bullet and break out the SawZall
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Santa Clarita, CA
My experience, you have to get something underneath. You will have to sand and rough it up for a fiberglass patch to adhere from the bottom. Don't believe you can do this with Bondo. Further you need to give the patch sometime to heal and harden or there will later be a noticeable depression. Even then you may not get a perfectly flat surface.
Bite the bullet and break out the SawZall
Bite the bullet and break out the SawZall
Regarding cutting off the exhaust system, dropping the gas tank then patching the proper way and reinstalling everything. I think based on a ROI for my time and expense, I will just have the rack rechomed buy a new stainless mounting hardware kit and reinstall it. Thanks for the feedback.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 346
From: Smyrna, TN
I can tell you how to patch the holes correctly and easily from the outside using short strand Everglass...
Let me know if you are interested...
But I have also seen people remove the rack and plug the holes with plastic plugs from Lowes...
I think it takes a 9/16 plug...
They are black plastic. but I have seen people paint them body color...
Let me know if you are interested...
But I have also seen people remove the rack and plug the holes with plastic plugs from Lowes...
I think it takes a 9/16 plug...
They are black plastic. but I have seen people paint them body color...
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
