Hi all, my "new" 76 Coupe's right fender has delaminated from the inner panel along the vertical seam closest to the door jamb. I understand that there is a two part bonding material (epoxy? resin?) that can be squirted in between the panels with a syringe-type mixing applicator.
Please chime in if you're aware of the name of the (a) product that is recommended for this application.
Thanks!!
Diesel

 

I've used a two part epoxy cement trade name PC-7 on all sorts of 'Vette fiberglass over a period of 30 years with great results. It mixes up like a soft putty. You should probably find some way to clamp the parts together regardless of what product you use.

 

After it has been cleaned and prepped...because if you don't...and you leave contaminants in the separated panels. You can not expect it to hold.

For this case...you can use a 2 part epoxy adhesive. Knowing that you are not applying a filler on it. It will work. If you are wanting to put back into it very similar to what was applied from the factory. Then I would use Fiberglass/Evercoat's SMC Panel Adhesive ( part# 994)

DUB

 

I would look at this more closely. Your firewall may have let go on the bird cage at the A pillar. This is what happened to mine. Rust gets in there from water traveling on the windshield frame and down along the A pillar birdcage frame.

I looked at what you are suggesting but after a long deliberation, I thought it best to remove the firewall to get at the area. After taking this apart, mine had rusted along the glue interface between the firewall leaving a rusted surface on the A pillar birdcage. There was a 2 inch by 1/2 rust hole as well. So squirting in a sealant into this location would mean I would be gluing the firewall to rust which would not have a long adhesion life.

Getting at the firewall also meant removing the front clip which is a pain. But in my case, after seeing this adhesive area, I think I made the right decision to disassemble the clip/firewall. This job is probably beyond most restorers and you have to devote some time and effort.

Is the gap between the door and the fender, at the top much wider than at the bottom? If this is the case (assuming it is not a door fitting issue), the firewall is rotating about the bottom of the birdcage A pillar. There is also a set of aluminum rivets along this attachment. If there is a fair bit of gap, most likely, these rivets have sheared out of the fiberglass.

Open the door and Look inside where the fiberglass meets the A pillar. Is the adhesive cracked there and there is a slight gap, particularly at the top?

This whole area is a poor design. They glue the front clip onto the firewall and then the firewall is glued to the birdcage. The should have glued the firewall directly to the birdcage, The firewall should have included some substantial bolts between the firewall and birdcage.Not a few tiny cheap rivets. Also the front clip should have had some substantial fasteners directly to the birdcage.

Steve L
73 coupe since new