C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

replacement body panels

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2016 | 10:56 AM
  #1  
colo69's Avatar
colo69
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
Default replacement body panels

I am replacing a rear quarter panel on my 1970 corvette, now i bought a replacement panel and i what to know how to tell if its FRP or SMC ? For bonding reasons, so the guy i got it from didnt know.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2016 | 12:17 PM
  #2  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Originally Posted by colo69
I am replacing a rear quarter panel on my 1970 corvette, now i bought a replacement panel and i what to know how to tell if its FRP or SMC ? For bonding reasons, so the guy i got it from didnt know.
SMC is a gray color and has a shine to it, original press molded would be black in color. But for bonding either one, I'd use the SEM 39747 glue. As long as you scuff it real good it will hold either.

https://www.semproducts.com/repair-a...panel-adhesive

If you post a picture of the panel I can tell you more than likely which it is.

Willcox
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2016 | 12:19 PM
  #3  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

FWIW: use a bonding compound compatible with both types and you're set to go.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2016 | 12:55 PM
  #4  
colo69's Avatar
colo69
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
Default fiberglass panel

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
SMC is a gray color and has a shine to it, original press molded would be black in color. But for bonding either one, I'd use the SEM 39747 glue. As long as you scuff it real good it will hold either.

https://www.semproducts.com/repair-a...panel-adhesive

If you post a picture of the panel I can tell you more than likely which it is.

Willcox
here are the photos front and back


Reply
Old Nov 3, 2016 | 09:35 PM
  #5  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Originally Posted by colo69
here are the photos front and back


could you back up a bit and take another pic?. It looks like SMC, but hard to tell from being so close. But just remember, the glue I posted above will glue either panel so it's not really that important. The issue will be the gun needed to use the glue.

39747 Cures in the same color as the original stuff, but what it allows you is way more work time than the original GM 2 part epoxy. The OEM glue gave you about 20 minutes of work time which really meant you had to be on your toes when doing the install.

The 39747 gives you about 2 hours to play with the panel and the stuff will glue water to oil.. (just kidding)... We use ratchet straps and Y clamps around the entire front end when gluing on a fender, we place 2x4's under the straps on the side being bonded so this allows us to clamp the panel without using rivets or any other device to hold the panel in place.

And.. just a heads up... Don't let the shop doing the installation use rivets, screws or anything else to hold the panel, the holes will only show down the road.. Ratchet straps and Y clamps will do work perfectly if used in the proper manner.

Willcox
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 10:34 AM
  #6  
colo69's Avatar
colo69
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
Default panel

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
could you back up a bit and take another pic?. It looks like SMC, but hard to tell from being so close. But just remember, the glue I posted above will glue either panel so it's not really that important. The issue will be the gun needed to use the glue.



I hope its a better photo. The issue is in the bonding, i have FRP panel glue, a gallon, and i just bought sem 49747 at the price of 42.00 per 7 oz. (not sure 7 oz will do the job) , and if the panel is FRP i would take the sem stuff back. Also is this panel press molded or hand laminated ? I think it's hand laminated because the surface is wavy! Any thoughts. any comments help.
thanks



....

Willcox
.......
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 04:56 PM
  #7  
blue by you's Avatar
blue by you
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 100
From: cranford nj
Default

I would post this in the paint and body section, i am sure dub will respond
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 10:10 PM
  #8  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

The panel looks like it's press molded but the glue I posted works great with both so it shouldn't matter.

Willcox

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Nov 5, 2016 at 08:29 AM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 5, 2016 | 06:25 PM
  #9  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette

39747 Cures in the same color as the original stuff, but what it allows you is way more work time than the original GM 2 part epoxy. The OEM glue gave you about 20 minutes of work time which really meant you had to be on your toes when doing the install.

This is very odd. I have never seen the adhesive on a 1970 be black. I do know the body putty adhesive on a 1963-1967 is black.,,,,but I have never seen the 1970 with black adhesive. I believe it is a reddish-brown color. But then again...I could be wrong... but doubt it.

And.. just a heads up... Don't let the shop doing the installation use rivets, screws or anything else to hold the panel, the holes will only show down the road.. Ratchet straps and Y clamps will do work perfectly if used in the proper manner.

Willcox
I do AGREE (somewhat). Hopefully the shop doing this has CLUE and does not go the easy route and drill holes recklessly in your panel.

There is a 'trick' to using screws when mounting panels. It has EVERYTHING to do with where you drill and how you secure your panel if you do not have the straps or clamps to do the job.....and the holes will NEVER come back and haunt you. If you can do it without drilling into the panel..GREAT...but I can say it is not the end of the world if you do...but you have to know where on the panel to do it so they do not show up.

AS for the adhesive. I DO use the SEM product and have the gun to apply it. But in this case I personally would not. I use EVERCOAT SMC panel adhesive (part number 994).

I also use red hardener and when I do so...it matches the factory reddish-brown adhesive color. I can also control the cure times due to how much hardener I use. If I put the 994 in the refrigerator a few hours before needing it on really hot summer days.

If you choose to have the shop use the SEM adhesive....they better make sure they grind back the adhesive that oozes out as much as possible so the seam can be filled in with EVERCOAT's Vette Panel Adhesive ( part number 870).

I know that the SEM will work...but...keep in mind that I have been doing this long before the SEM products came out and when I have had great success in the 996 working. It does not make sense for me to change...regardless of technology.

I do use the SEM and FUSOR products on the Corvettes where that type of adhesive was used form the facotry....and the adhesive is applied UNDER the panel where NO seams need to be filled in. The only area that does come to mind where an exposed seam needs to be filled in is the rear door jamb the 'B' pillar of a 1984-1996 Corvette.

DUB
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2016 | 09:55 PM
  #10  
colo69's Avatar
colo69
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
I do AGREE (somewhat). Hopefully the shop doing this has CLUE and does not go the easy route and drill holes recklessly in your panel.

There is a 'trick' to using screws when mounting panels. It has EVERYTHING to do with where you drill and how you secure your panel if you do not have the straps or clamps to do the job.....and the holes will NEVER come back and haunt you. If you can do it without drilling into the panel..GREAT...but I can say it is not the end of the world if you do...but you have to know where on the panel to do it so they do not show up.

AS for the adhesive. I DO use the SEM product and have the gun to apply it. But in this case I personally would not. I use EVERCOAT SMC panel adhesive (part number 994).

I also use red hardener and when I do so...it matches the factory reddish-brown adhesive color. I can also control the cure times due to how much hardener I use. If I put the 994 in the refrigerator a few hours before needing it on really hot summer days.

If you choose to have the shop use the SEM adhesive....they better make sure they grind back the adhesive that oozes out as much as possible so the seam can be filled in with EVERCOAT's Vette Panel Adhesive ( part number 870).

I know that the SEM will work...but...keep in mind that I have been doing this long before the SEM products came out and when I have had great success in the 996 working. It does not make sense for me to change...regardless of technology.

I do use the SEM and FUSOR products on the Corvettes where that type of adhesive was used form the facotry....and the adhesive is applied UNDER the panel where NO seams need to be filled in. The only area that does come to mind where an exposed seam needs to be filled in is the rear door jamb the 'B' pillar of a 1984-1996 Corvette.

DUB
Thanks Dub,
I appreciate all the expert advice.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2016 | 06:13 PM
  #11  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Default

I do what I can.

DUB
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To replacement body panels





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:47 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE