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'70 warped panel problem

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Old May 19, 2015 | 02:04 PM
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Default '70 warped panel problem

Howdy, I need your help.

I purchased a '70 T-top coupe project. The passenger front inner and outer fender along with the bumper, headlights, grills and lower valance panel had all been removed. I got it out of a garage that it had been sitting in for 13 years. As a result of it being apart and unsupported at the front, the passenger front corner sagged and remained in that position for the entire time it was stored there. My problem is that because of this the hood surround panel and backing strip developed a permanent bulge, even after putting the front end back into position.

Here are some pictures of my problem (blue tape represents the center of the bulge):








I was think about screwing/gluing a steel strip to the underside of the backing strip, forcing the bulge flat then gluing the outer fender on. But my fear is that after removing the steel strip the panel would be under stress.

What do you guys think? I would love any suggestions on how to solve this issue.
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Old May 19, 2015 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Tubbafatt
...What do you guys think?...
Installation of the inner fender skirt might help. The skirts provide a lot of support for the hood surround panel.
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Old May 19, 2015 | 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Tubbafatt
Howdy, I need your help.

I purchased a '70 T-top coupe project. The passenger front inner and outer fender along with the bumper, headlights, grills and lower valance panel had all been removed. I got it out of a garage that it had been sitting in for 13 years. As a result of it being apart and unsupported at the front, the passenger front corner sagged and remained in that position for the entire time it was stored there. My problem is that because of this the hood surround panel and backing strip developed a permanent bulge, even after putting the front end back into position.

Here are some pictures of my problem (blue tape represents the center of the bulge):








I was think about screwing/gluing a steel strip to the underside of the backing strip, forcing the bulge flat then gluing the outer fender on. But my fear is that after removing the steel strip the panel would be under stress.

What do you guys think? I would love any suggestions on how to solve this issue.
Just for the heck of it, what does the core support on that side look like. It maybe that it was set to low and buckled that part of the fender. If you loosen the nut you can tell if it is under any stress and wants to pop up removing the bulge.
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Old May 19, 2015 | 06:31 PM
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Raise up the front of the clip at the front and apply heat around the area you have shown with the blue tape.

TRUST ME...the fiberglass can 'relax' back to where it needs to be ...but it will depend in how you use the heat gun and WATCH what is going on when you heat it up.

DUB
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Old May 20, 2015 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by DUB
Raise up the front of the clip at the front and apply heat around the area you have shown with the blue tape.

TRUST ME...the fiberglass can 'relax' back to where it needs to be ...but it will depend in how you use the heat gun and WATCH what is going on when you heat it up.

DUB
I'll give it a shot man!

Thanks all for the replies!
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Old May 20, 2015 | 01:47 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by DUB
Raise up the front of the clip at the front and apply heat around the area you have shown with the blue tape.

TRUST ME...the fiberglass can 'relax' back to where it needs to be ...but it will depend in how you use the heat gun and WATCH what is going on when you heat it up.

DUB
IT WORKED!

Genius idea man, thank you so much!
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Old May 20, 2015 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by DUB
Raise up the front of the clip at the front and apply heat around the area you have shown with the blue tape.

TRUST ME...the fiberglass can 'relax' back to where it needs to be ...but it will depend in how you use the heat gun and WATCH what is going on when you heat it up.

DUB


Back in the late 70's early 80's I did a lot of camaro firberglass hoods the fit sucked out loud, cornors would stick up, but a brick or two and a day in the fl sun fixed it right up.
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Old May 20, 2015 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Tubbafatt
IT WORKED!

Genius idea man, thank you so much!
Glad it worked.

DUB
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