Body Repair issue
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
Body Repair issue
I have a 2000 Vette that someone had installed (and removed) the factory splash guards. That left behind 8 3/8 holes in the wheel well of the fenders and quarters. What can/should I use to fill these holes?
I'm not looking for a professional job at this point, just to fill the holes and probably use some touch up over top to conceal it as much as possible without getting in to a full blown body shop repair. I was thinking bundo, but I was sure of it's reaction to the plastic body. Same goes for the fiberglass they sell in the auto parts store.
Any direction would be appreciated.
I'm not looking for a professional job at this point, just to fill the holes and probably use some touch up over top to conceal it as much as possible without getting in to a full blown body shop repair. I was thinking bundo, but I was sure of it's reaction to the plastic body. Same goes for the fiberglass they sell in the auto parts store.
Any direction would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Absolute cheapest but effective thing to do would be go to Home Depot or Lowes in their fastner section and pick up some hole plugs. They sell them typically in both molded black and white, with the black likely being a close match to the inner fender color. If you can't get a size that fits precisely then slightly smaller and dab a small bit of epoxy to stick
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
I thought about doing that too. The lip of the wheel wells are part of the body and are Yellow. I think the plugs may stand out a bit but probably not as much of having holes in the body. I should have posted a picture. I try to get one up at lunch time.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Edmonton AB
Robrote, I had the same issue with a Camaro SS I owned. It came with mudflaps, and I took them off and was left with holes.
I took a razor blade, and shaved the holes smooth VERY carefully so they were level with the fenders (where needed) being careful not to cut into the paint surrounding the hole.
I then filled them with some paintable caulking from the hardware store. I used grey as the car was Pewter. It is super easy to work with and water soluble so was easy to clean it off the car around the hole.
Let it dry rock hard, and then simply touched it up with touchup paint. It was not an ideal solution, but was cheap, and I had the car for about 2 years after I filled them and they were still intact, although I never drove it in the rain.
My only worry is that water would effect the caulk if it got to it from behind. As stated I never had issues, and it sure looked better than tiny black holes. And if it doesn't work, if you did it carefully, you will have no damage to the area surrounding the holes so nothing really lost except a few bucks and your time.
I didn't have problems with the touchup paint softening the caulk, but if you do you can also try a 2 part paintable epoxy. Once dry, nothing should melt or soften it but that stuff can get messy.
I took a razor blade, and shaved the holes smooth VERY carefully so they were level with the fenders (where needed) being careful not to cut into the paint surrounding the hole.
I then filled them with some paintable caulking from the hardware store. I used grey as the car was Pewter. It is super easy to work with and water soluble so was easy to clean it off the car around the hole.
Let it dry rock hard, and then simply touched it up with touchup paint. It was not an ideal solution, but was cheap, and I had the car for about 2 years after I filled them and they were still intact, although I never drove it in the rain.
My only worry is that water would effect the caulk if it got to it from behind. As stated I never had issues, and it sure looked better than tiny black holes. And if it doesn't work, if you did it carefully, you will have no damage to the area surrounding the holes so nothing really lost except a few bucks and your time.
I didn't have problems with the touchup paint softening the caulk, but if you do you can also try a 2 part paintable epoxy. Once dry, nothing should melt or soften it but that stuff can get messy.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
DeeJbee, that is a fantastic idea. I think that will work perfect until I decide if I want to get the car repainted down the road. Thank you for the excellent suggestion.
Rob
Rob
