Corvette fiberglass...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Corvette fiberglass...
I need help from anyone who knows what the hell they're doing when it comes to vette fiberglass. I am doing a beltline delete on my vette and I'm wondering what to use to fill the gap that's left. I am thinking of using a product called Vette Bond 2. Can anybody tell me if this would work and if this would last? How do I need to prep the surface before I apply it if it wil last? Also, I plan on making modifications to the front and possiblly to the rear bumper. If I were to bond fiberglass parts that were cut, back together, what would be the best way of going about this as in structural stability. I know iof a few methods, but I guess my question is for someone with experience with fiberglass. Thanks for your help as always to all the people who make this the best corvette forum in the world!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
First off - C4s are NOT made of fibreglass! It's called SMC - Sheet Molded Compound. This stuff has a built in release agent.
If you use a conventional fibreglass glue, it will not stick. You must use adheasives for SMC!! Check for Evercoat, they have several products that will work.
If you use a conventional fibreglass glue, it will not stick. You must use adheasives for SMC!! Check for Evercoat, they have several products that will work.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Okay I went to evercoat.com and found a few products. But now I am confused. I found one called Vette Panel Adhesive/Filler. Now it sounds like this is what I need, but here's the description:
"A polyester body filler for fiberglass and SMC panels. No shrinkage. Helps prevent repair mapping on seam lines over fiberglass repairs. Used to bond fiberglass panels only, not SMC. Blue cream hardener included."
In the first sentence they say for fiberglass and SMC, but in the last sentence they say used to bond fiberglass panels, not SMC. So does this mean I could fill in the beltline or not? If anybody understands the applications that this will work for please let me know. Either it's a contradiction or it's only use is to fill things not bond things. If that is the case how would I rebond SMC that has been neatly cut back together again? Thanks alot cooters!
"A polyester body filler for fiberglass and SMC panels. No shrinkage. Helps prevent repair mapping on seam lines over fiberglass repairs. Used to bond fiberglass panels only, not SMC. Blue cream hardener included."
In the first sentence they say for fiberglass and SMC, but in the last sentence they say used to bond fiberglass panels, not SMC. So does this mean I could fill in the beltline or not? If anybody understands the applications that this will work for please let me know. Either it's a contradiction or it's only use is to fill things not bond things. If that is the case how would I rebond SMC that has been neatly cut back together again? Thanks alot cooters!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 1
From: Atoka Oklahoma
St. Jude Donor 06
Here I finally found a site with some detailed info. 
It even shows the part numbers for the material used/needed
http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.robert/PaintTechPaper2.pdf#search='corvette%20S heet%20Molded%20Compound%20repair'
I can't get a hot link so you will have to copy and paste in a new browser window. It is a PDF file.
It even shows the part numbers for the material used/neededhttp://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.robert/PaintTechPaper2.pdf#search='corvette%20S heet%20Molded%20Compound%20repair'
I can't get a hot link so you will have to copy and paste in a new browser window. It is a PDF file.
Last edited by okies93; Dec 27, 2005 at 12:25 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.ro...TechPaper2.pdf
I took off the search string. I would run the search inside the PDF.
I took off the search string. I would run the search inside the PDF.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 1
From: Atoka Oklahoma
St. Jude Donor 06
Originally Posted by bogus
http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.ro...TechPaper2.pdf
I took off the search string. I would run the search inside the PDF.
I took off the search string. I would run the search inside the PDF.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
I am far from an expert here but I have done some body and paint work on my 85. My concern here would be the front and rear bumper and what you fill the gap with. They are neither fiberglass or SMC but a flexible material. If you use a filler that is rigid at all I think it would crack or pull loose. Do you know of anyone who has actually done this and what were the results?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
2 memebers here have done it. One was someone in Europe who's car I've only seen pics of and the other is the guy with the 89' custom roadster who modified his nosepiece and put rear bumper as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 1
From: Bowie MD
Not Fiberglass? That is an update for me. When I had to cut the wheel well area to install my Shinoda body kit, the white stuff/powder sure looked similar to fiberglass. SMC maybe that is the white stuff my body is made of. The bumpers that I pulled off are made of a yellow rubbery substance. The Egg Crates behind the bumpers are made of something else, grey harder rubbery plastic knida stuff. Now I will have to look up what this SMC stuff is. Thanks
Chris
Chris
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Originally Posted by 89ls2
the replacement bumpers are fiberglass, and can be filled with more fiberglass. you are right about the originals, they seem like rubber...
Like I said, I have done some body work and the thought of filling in the seams is way more work than I want to take on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 993
Likes: 3
From: Iowa
Ok for the SMC 3M makes an Automix product that will bond to it properly and have matching properties. Most people call me and say the 3M rigid repair stuff isn't rigid, but if you tug on it, the SMC is not rigid like fiberglass; it does flex a bit requiring the repair to follow.
The bumpers from the factory and good replacements are Urethane/Plastic. You will need what’s called a flexible plastic repair. Simply find a product from whomever that is designed to repair the flexible urethane and bond with that. You will want to use a piece of urethane/plastic to fill the voids for maximum survivability. Hope this helps out; I can answer more questions if you have any.
The bumpers from the factory and good replacements are Urethane/Plastic. You will need what’s called a flexible plastic repair. Simply find a product from whomever that is designed to repair the flexible urethane and bond with that. You will want to use a piece of urethane/plastic to fill the voids for maximum survivability. Hope this helps out; I can answer more questions if you have any.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Deakins thanks alot for your help. I have a 1990 regular (not ZR1) vette. Which panels are made of SMC and which are fiberglass? I guess my question is, what product do I use and where do I use it? And after that, how do I go about prepping the surface to fill the gaps? I have got replies from other people, but you sound like you know what the hell you're talking about! Thanks alot cooters!
Last edited by CooterCatchinVette; Dec 29, 2005 at 10:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: GA
go to your local auto paint supply store and look at the SEM products. They make several for all kinds of plastics and fiberglass. The nose and tail pieces should be made of polyurethane, SEM makes a couple of different products for this plastic, one is "problem plastic repair". I have used this on a 3rd gen firebird nose repair and can say it works wonderfully.
