I have the same problem on driver side.
Broken tab for front fender attachment
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Broken tab for front fender attachment
I've seen many C-5's with the front fenders lower edge sticking out. On all the cars the fiberglass tab that attaches the "underside" bolt on the rear edge is broken off the rocker panel. It seems most guys just attach a long stirp of metal on the chassis rail and put the screw from the fender into it, but has anybody tried to "rebuild" the rocker with fiberglass? I've never tried to fix the SMC panels on our cars so I don't know if the "usual" methods of fiberglass/resin repairs will work. Can anybody help?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
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From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
The repair for these things are really pretty straight forward. Fiberglass is not the way to go though.
Repairs should be done with the appropriate resins that fiberglass uses, but a polyester material should be used. A polyester composite has the strength that matches the body materials of the C5 and C6 Vettes where fiberglass does not. Depending on the way it is laid up, polyester can have almost the same strength as a carbon fiber layup, but without the heating and the autoclave. I am thinking about designing and laying up a polyester spoiler, but haven't had the time yet.
Polyester resins also take paint better than most fiberglass resins and can be sanded smoother for a finer finish. There are also dyes available to mix with the polyester resins that assist in the final painting process because most of the base color is there. Just need to shoot with a good topcoat and clear.
Repairs should be done with the appropriate resins that fiberglass uses, but a polyester material should be used. A polyester composite has the strength that matches the body materials of the C5 and C6 Vettes where fiberglass does not. Depending on the way it is laid up, polyester can have almost the same strength as a carbon fiber layup, but without the heating and the autoclave. I am thinking about designing and laying up a polyester spoiler, but haven't had the time yet.
Polyester resins also take paint better than most fiberglass resins and can be sanded smoother for a finer finish. There are also dyes available to mix with the polyester resins that assist in the final painting process because most of the base color is there. Just need to shoot with a good topcoat and clear.
Last edited by Benpup; Aug 19, 2008 at 09:03 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
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http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...8&dept_id=1493
I haven't tried it yet. I'm using a drywall screw into the frame.
I haven't tried it yet. I'm using a drywall screw into the frame.
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