I'm a freaking idiot. Need help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland WA
I'm a freaking idiot. Need help
So, I'm finally getting around to installing new weatherstrip on my t-tops.
Of course, the new W/S is good, and goes on easily except in the front corners where the t-top meets the windsheild pillars. For some reasons the angles are off, and there is an extra hole in W/S that doesn't correspond to any other hole on the t-tops.
I figure that the best thing to do is drill a really small hole and put a screw in to hold it down, thus fixing the mating problem. (you can see where this is going...)
So, now I have a small, 7/32 hole in the corner of my t-top because I pressed just a LITTLE too hard.
What do I need to use to fill up this hole? The whole car needs paint so I'm not too worried about that. I just want to fill the hole properly so that water doesn't seep in. I know that bondo is one solution, but is there a fiberglass "putty" that will fill the hole and I can sand it down?
Thanks for the advice...
Of course, the new W/S is good, and goes on easily except in the front corners where the t-top meets the windsheild pillars. For some reasons the angles are off, and there is an extra hole in W/S that doesn't correspond to any other hole on the t-tops.
I figure that the best thing to do is drill a really small hole and put a screw in to hold it down, thus fixing the mating problem. (you can see where this is going...)
So, now I have a small, 7/32 hole in the corner of my t-top because I pressed just a LITTLE too hard.
What do I need to use to fill up this hole? The whole car needs paint so I'm not too worried about that. I just want to fill the hole properly so that water doesn't seep in. I know that bondo is one solution, but is there a fiberglass "putty" that will fill the hole and I can sand it down?
Thanks for the advice...
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 168
Likes: 4
From: central Washington state
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Corellian Corvette)
Han;
To the best of my knowledge, 73s are constrcuted of Sheet Molded Compound (SMC), rather than fiberglass. I believe '73 was the first year for SMC. I'm not certain how important that might be to your choice of repair materials, especially considering you've got such a small hole to plug, but I thought I'd mention it, since you seem to be an individual that has an appreciation for doing things right, and it might be an issue when it's time to paint the car. No point in having that little hole bite you twice! :D
To the best of my knowledge, 73s are constrcuted of Sheet Molded Compound (SMC), rather than fiberglass. I believe '73 was the first year for SMC. I'm not certain how important that might be to your choice of repair materials, especially considering you've got such a small hole to plug, but I thought I'd mention it, since you seem to be an individual that has an appreciation for doing things right, and it might be an issue when it's time to paint the car. No point in having that little hole bite you twice! :D
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (noxqsz)
There is a product called Fiberall. This stuff is great. However, it is expensive. You have to buy a whole can. It comes with a neet dispenser (looks like a caulking gun). The dispenser dispenses the proper amount of resin/glass and hardner. You mix and apply like good ole bondo. One can will run you around $25. Alot for a 7/32 hole.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Corellian Corvette)
Hi. Don't use bondo. Bondo isn't waterproof and if you don't seal it with some good 2 stage primer , moisture can get in it.
evercoat make some pretty good stuff called "metal glaze" and another product that i can't think of the name :jester . Metal glaze comes in a green container and the other stuff in a blue one. Polyester base and waterproof, works real good on vettes and boats. run you about 15 to 24 bux depending on where you get it.
Put a piece of tape under the hole so you don't have the filler seeping through and you shouldn't have a prob. make sure the surface to be filled it clean. not that big of a hole , should be ok just to fill. regards, Judd
evercoat make some pretty good stuff called "metal glaze" and another product that i can't think of the name :jester . Metal glaze comes in a green container and the other stuff in a blue one. Polyester base and waterproof, works real good on vettes and boats. run you about 15 to 24 bux depending on where you get it.
Put a piece of tape under the hole so you don't have the filler seeping through and you shouldn't have a prob. make sure the surface to be filled it clean. not that big of a hole , should be ok just to fill. regards, Judd
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Corellian Corvette)
Just go to an automotive paint supplier. There are a lot of body products that will get the job done. I've had very good experience with Kitty Hair. The stuff in the tube sounds good. Leave the Bondo to Bubba. It is not the best solution for fiberglass.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Corellian Corvette)
Here's the bad news...
You're going to have to make the hole bigger before you patch it. If you try to patch something really small and round, chances are the patch will fail. I would think about using a countersink, from the top and making the hole cone shaped and at least 3/8" diameter or so. You can then mix some fiberglass resin with some crushed fiberglass particles and that should hold pretty well. The more surface you have, the better the patch job will be.
You're going to have to make the hole bigger before you patch it. If you try to patch something really small and round, chances are the patch will fail. I would think about using a countersink, from the top and making the hole cone shaped and at least 3/8" diameter or so. You can then mix some fiberglass resin with some crushed fiberglass particles and that should hold pretty well. The more surface you have, the better the patch job will be.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Corellian Corvette)
Can you just fill it with slicone untill your ready to paint? Then you can fix it right with what ever method you choose? Of course I don't know exactly where that hole is but I know it's in one of your t-tops (I hope). :)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Corellian Corvette)
Albert...I was just in Schucks, and they have a fiberglass gel that would suit your needs. I think maybe putting some scotch tape over the hole on the inside, and filling with the fiberglass gel should do the trick. I'm using fiberglass resin myself and it's very runny, but even that would be OK in your situation as long as the T-tops aren't hollow or anything like that.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Rockn-Roll)
:) Just another idea... I was thinking you should put the scotch tape on the outside of the fiberglass and fill it in from the back side. It should leave you with a smooth exterior.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (fontking1a)
Check locally for a paint a body supplier that offers FUSOR brand products.
http://www.fusor.com
Tell them what you have done and they will sell you a product specifically for your application. They are a two part "epoxy" type product and the smallest tubes are about $18-$20.
If you cannot find this product locally, contact me and I will see what I can do on this end.
I used to sell this product at the paint supply store that I worked at. Everyone that we sold it to said that it was THE stuff to use.
If I remember correctly product # 103 would be for SMC , Fiberglass, or Plastic repair.
[Modified by DaBo, 9:42 PM 4/18/2002]
http://www.fusor.com
Tell them what you have done and they will sell you a product specifically for your application. They are a two part "epoxy" type product and the smallest tubes are about $18-$20.
If you cannot find this product locally, contact me and I will see what I can do on this end.
I used to sell this product at the paint supply store that I worked at. Everyone that we sold it to said that it was THE stuff to use.
If I remember correctly product # 103 would be for SMC , Fiberglass, or Plastic repair.
[Modified by DaBo, 9:42 PM 4/18/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (DaBo)
OK, be ready to call me Bubba. Get yourself a little shot of latex caulk that is about the same color as the top and put it in there with small putty knife. If the weather's nice, you'll have the tops off anyway, if the weather's not nice, you probably won't be out anyway. That would seal the hole up until you get to sand down the spot large enough to fill with resin and mat and taper back, then body fill and paint.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland WA
Re: I'm a freaking idiot. Need help (Dalannex)
Thanks guys.
There is an auto paint store right near my house and I'll hit it in the AM to see what they have.
Steve -- since the T-tops ARE hollow, I'm not sure how that resin will work. Might end up just running inside the tops.
Same problem with fixing from below. the tops are a "sandwich" of fiberglass, so I went from the bottom layer through the top layer. No way to fill from below.
There is an auto paint store right near my house and I'll hit it in the AM to see what they have.
Steve -- since the T-tops ARE hollow, I'm not sure how that resin will work. Might end up just running inside the tops.
Same problem with fixing from below. the tops are a "sandwich" of fiberglass, so I went from the bottom layer through the top layer. No way to fill from below.