Fiberglass project.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Redmond WA
Fiberglass project.
Hello folks!
Last weekend when trying to fixate my tumbling battery I noticed some weird crack on the bottom of the battery compartment, went down to check it from the bottom and oh my what a bubba job I found!
Back in the 80's when I was a surfer and used to spend more time fixing my surfboard then riding it I got a fair share of fiberglass work... But as I'm not sure if everything applies here I would like to get some advice from you guys, what should I do and not to do, which type of tissue and resin, how many layers, sand or not to sand. use a temp mold or just insert a metal/wood sheet between fiberglass layers?
The funny thing is that nowadays everything still the same as I spend more time under the Vette than riding it
Cheers,
Fábio.
Last weekend when trying to fixate my tumbling battery I noticed some weird crack on the bottom of the battery compartment, went down to check it from the bottom and oh my what a bubba job I found!
Back in the 80's when I was a surfer and used to spend more time fixing my surfboard then riding it I got a fair share of fiberglass work... But as I'm not sure if everything applies here I would like to get some advice from you guys, what should I do and not to do, which type of tissue and resin, how many layers, sand or not to sand. use a temp mold or just insert a metal/wood sheet between fiberglass layers?
The funny thing is that nowadays everything still the same as I spend more time under the Vette than riding it
Cheers,
Fábio.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Mesa az
Since this is a "no see" area, unless you want it to be "original", I'd say go for it. I'd say you can use either the fiberglass mat or cloth, again since it's not going to seen anyway. I'd clean up both the outside and inside, sand the edges back 2 or so inches and put 2 coats inside, using some sort of "form" to hold it in place. Let the inside harden and go under, sand the new glass, and put on 2 more layers overlapping the edge about 2 inches. If I was going to sand the finished glass I'd put 3 layers on each side.
If you can take a look at another Vette and try to replicate the shapes and features it'd add to the value of the fix. Just "slapping on" 4 total layers of glass is a bit "Bubba-ish"
Again, if you can find an wrecked Vette of the same era, cut out the area you need to repair, make a similar cut on yours, and "graft" in the "new" piece.
I'd also suggest painting the inside with a very "acid/caustic" resistant paint.
If you can take a look at another Vette and try to replicate the shapes and features it'd add to the value of the fix. Just "slapping on" 4 total layers of glass is a bit "Bubba-ish"
Again, if you can find an wrecked Vette of the same era, cut out the area you need to repair, make a similar cut on yours, and "graft" in the "new" piece.
I'd also suggest painting the inside with a very "acid/caustic" resistant paint.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Looks like a pretty straight forward job. I would suggest using mat vs. cloth, though, as the latter will show fibers when the work is completed. I also would suggest a fiberglassing book to keep you out of trouble. Most Vette vendors have them. 
