Front body panel assembly
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Front body panel assembly
I've gathered mostly new GM front clip panels and I'm thinking about assembling the front clip myself. I have fenders, inner fenders (wheel wells), bonding strips, and the hood-surround. I want to assemble everything, mount the clip on the car, then take her be painted by the pros.
A few questions.
1) What is the preferred method for attaching rivets through the panels and bonding strip? (never done this before).
2) How is the 'head' of the rivet smoothed flush with the fiberglass?
3) Is a panel adhesive needed, such as 3M's 8115, in addition to the rivets for attaching panels to the bonding strips?
Any advice welcome. Thanks!
A few questions.
1) What is the preferred method for attaching rivets through the panels and bonding strip? (never done this before).
2) How is the 'head' of the rivet smoothed flush with the fiberglass?
3) Is a panel adhesive needed, such as 3M's 8115, in addition to the rivets for attaching panels to the bonding strips?
Any advice welcome. Thanks!
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Do not use rivets. Some of us screw the panels together while the glue is drying and then remove them, others just clamp the parts together when possible, and sometimes a little of both!!
Better yet, pick your self up a book on fiberglass repair (ecklers has one) that will walk you through it. Also If you look at my old threads there are some in there showing nose assembly.
The most important thing is: Measure and fit a hundred times and only glue ONCE!!!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Interesting. When I took apart the wrecked front body panels, they were riveted to the bonding strips.
But, yeah, if I can do without rivets with today's adhesives, that's mo-betta.
I have read two books, or at least the chapters that dealt with this job. The only confusing part was in one of the books, the top of one of the fenders was actully sawed about a half inch in places, to fit the hood surround. The book said they were using aftermarket panels.
If I'm using all GM stuff, will I need to shave that much to make a fit?
Lastly, is 3M's 8115 still the choice adhesive for this type of job? I've used it before and it's great except it sets up a bit fast.
Thanks for helping me out.
But, yeah, if I can do without rivets with today's adhesives, that's mo-betta.
I have read two books, or at least the chapters that dealt with this job. The only confusing part was in one of the books, the top of one of the fenders was actully sawed about a half inch in places, to fit the hood surround. The book said they were using aftermarket panels.
If I'm using all GM stuff, will I need to shave that much to make a fit?
Lastly, is 3M's 8115 still the choice adhesive for this type of job? I've used it before and it's great except it sets up a bit fast.
Thanks for helping me out.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Do a little research on the adhesives. I used fusor by the Lord corp. You can get the adhesive in diffrent set up times. You will need to get the special dispensing gun. No need to use rivets with the bonding adhesive.
Last edited by Artsvette73; Jul 24, 2008 at 11:39 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
I would strongly recommend building some sort of jig for assembling the front clip. It would not need to be elaborate, just something to clamp your panels to and keep it all square. You could get lucky eyeballin it, but it's not very likely. Get some good base measurements for the finished assembly and measure everything at least twice before bonding it all together.
Good Luck
Orville
Good Luck
Orville
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Maybe I'm over-simplifying the project. Is it that difficult to glue up the bonding strips to two fenders and a hood surround?..then glue up the inner fenders (wheel wells,..this can't be hard)? All but one of the panels is brand new, including the surround.
The only difficulty in my (apparently) small mind is making sure the outer radius from surround to fender is correct. I was going to use the lower valance to help with that and make some sort of support with wood for the rear section to maintain the proper distance in the rear. I have numerous clamps many of which are the long-reach variety, so I think I'm equipped, tool-wise.
Please advise. Thanks!
The only difficulty in my (apparently) small mind is making sure the outer radius from surround to fender is correct. I was going to use the lower valance to help with that and make some sort of support with wood for the rear section to maintain the proper distance in the rear. I have numerous clamps many of which are the long-reach variety, so I think I'm equipped, tool-wise.
Please advise. Thanks!
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Jul 26, 2008 at 12:05 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
Maybe I'm over-simplifying the project. Is it that difficult to glue up the bonding strips to two fenders and a hood surround?..then glue up the inner fenders (wheel wells,..this can't be hard)? All but one of the panels is brand new, including the surround.
The only difficulty in my (apparently) small mind is making sure the outer radius from surround to fender is correct. I was going to use the lower valance to help with that and make some sort of support with wood for the rear section to maintain the proper distance in the rear.
Please advise. Thanks!
The only difficulty in my (apparently) small mind is making sure the outer radius from surround to fender is correct. I was going to use the lower valance to help with that and make some sort of support with wood for the rear section to maintain the proper distance in the rear.
Please advise. Thanks!
Bottom line is you got to do whatever you need to do to make the parts fit properly including glass work on a new panel.
Installing a nose piece by piece isnt such an easy job(if it was all vettes would have good fits and most dont), but if you take your time I am sure you can handle it.
The good thing about doing it piece by piece is that you can get the gaps as nice as you want.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Thanks for advice. For now, I'm simply assembling the front clip panels. Later, I'll come you guys for advice on installing the front clip to the car.
Any further advice on attaching the fender to the surround or advice for the wheel wells?
Any further advice on attaching the fender to the surround or advice for the wheel wells?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
The wheel wells have the mounts for the hood so they must not set too high after they are bonded to the fenders. You can shim the front hinges to make the hood higher but you can't lower it after the inter fenders are bonded on. Fit the hood before you glue. Use holes or screws to get it all back in the same spot after you start to bond it on. I would have it fit to the body at the doors before any bonding is started.
