How do I fix this?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
How do I fix this?
I have ordered a couple fiberglass repair books from Ecklers, but in the meantime what do you think of this?
Here I put back a chunk that was secured with bondo.
I know I'll have to grind out all the bondo as step 1. Am I better off cleaning off the 'chunk' in the second pic and glassing that in, or just matting in the whole thing.
Getting the contours correct will be tough. But, I ahve nothing but time to get it right. Also, most of this is covered by the bumper. I want it perfect, but if it's not it's unliekly anyone would notice.
Opinions?
Thanks
Here I put back a chunk that was secured with bondo.
I know I'll have to grind out all the bondo as step 1. Am I better off cleaning off the 'chunk' in the second pic and glassing that in, or just matting in the whole thing.
Getting the contours correct will be tough. But, I ahve nothing but time to get it right. Also, most of this is covered by the bumper. I want it perfect, but if it's not it's unliekly anyone would notice.
Opinions?
Thanks
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Yardley PA
Re: How do I fix this? (Weird Science)
I have ordered a couple fiberglass repair books from Ecklers, but in the meantime what do you think of this?
Sorry. Don't know much about fiber repair (yet!). I would just put new mats over the whole thing.
And this is your free TTT. :lol:
Prost :cheers:
Stefan
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: How do I fix this? (Stefan69)
OUCH !!!
I think the best way to fix that is for you to go to a junk yard and find a corner that you can cut off and then glass onto yours, Rebuilding that corner from scratch is going to be a bear.
Hopefully someone that knows better than me will chime in here. :seeya
I think the best way to fix that is for you to go to a junk yard and find a corner that you can cut off and then glass onto yours, Rebuilding that corner from scratch is going to be a bear.
Hopefully someone that knows better than me will chime in here. :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Re: How do I fix this? (Desertdawg)
<go to a junk yard and find a corner that you can cut off and then glass onto yours, Rebuilding that corner from scratch is going to be a bear.
I worked on fiberglass boats for several years and I wouldn't try rebuilding a corner one one of these things. While it can be done, it is goign to be extremely difficult.
If you are sure that you want to do it yourself, my advice would be to start with matting from the back side to get a solid support, then use a very small pice of matting from the front to justr fill the gap rather than trying to support it off the front. That way you can sand from the outside without having to worry about sanding your support off.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: How do I fix this? (Berserker78)
I agree with Berserker78. You will have to start from the back and put a good foundation from behind then slowly build up the front building the contour. It is a tough job but if you have time fiberglass in alot of fun to work with.
I installed a new fiberglass bumper this winter and to make it fit I had to cut it into pieces, attach it to the front then glass the pieces back together. I did it almost completely from fiberglass and you can not find the seems from the front.
You can do it if you take the time.
I installed a new fiberglass bumper this winter and to make it fit I had to cut it into pieces, attach it to the front then glass the pieces back together. I did it almost completely from fiberglass and you can not find the seems from the front.
You can do it if you take the time.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 384
Likes: 6
From: Brockville Ont
Re: How do I fix this? (Weird Science)
complicated but not impossible, take all of the loose pieces sand or grind them so you get a good bond, grind or sand the car where the patching will take place, grind a min of 4 inches around the repair area. Now duck tape all of the pieces you have in place, from the inside, anywhere you don't have a piece try to span the area with the tape. now gently and carefully apply several layers of glass mat to the outside with a general purpose polyester resin, pay attention to not building up excess cloth as you will have to grind it off. let the resin kick. remove the tape from the inside , clean, sand the back side, apply one or two layer of glass mat (1 1/2 to 2 oz) rolled out well (remove all air bubbles), let it kick, return to the out side area and shape it, re apply glass mat in low areas, get is as close as your can and fininish it off with filler.
should not be to tough
Good luckl :party:
should not be to tough
Good luckl :party:
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: How do I fix this? (Weird Science)
Not a real bad job as fiberglass goes. I'd just clean up the inside surface and put enough profile on it to get a good adhesion for the mat and resin. Lay in about three layers from the backside to give you a good foundation and to fix "the chunk" into position. Move to the outside and grind out every crack and smooth the area where the new glass is exposed (through the holes). Do not be concerned with the raised bumper support area yet. First layer in mat and resin to bebuild the visible body surface and lines. Be sure to bevel away from the damage as you grind, creating a valley for about three layers of glass to lay in. Once that is applied and cured, sand to finish. Add glass as needed to achieve perfect surface. When that is complete, re-construct your bumper support area.
Dave
PS: wear a good mask or repirator. Don't ask me why. :cheers:
Dave
PS: wear a good mask or repirator. Don't ask me why. :cheers:
