My friend had this tube of structural adhesive laying around his place and I read the label. It was SPEEDGRIP 15 by Norton, it was a urethane structural adhesive and it had on the label that it could be used for smc panels. My question is... If I were to grind out a stress crack on my 86 could I use this as a filler with out patching first with fiberglass and resin? That would make the job a lot easier if this could be done. If this won't work could you point me in the right direction for supplies and details on what exactly to get. I know that if I dont get the right thing that the body work will just fall off of the smc bodies.

 

You need to be careful with what adhesive you use and what can go on top of it. For examples of repair instructions check out the 3M site:
http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediaw...66S2dqCOrrrrQ-

 

That link is great thanks a lot.

 

What type of glass and what type of resin should be used for smc repair? I have about three stress cracks on my hood that are going to be done before the new paint.

 

If you are repairing SMC you can use the DuraMix products or the 3M AutoMix line to do precisely what you purposed above. They will tell you to use a patch on the back side for a true structural repair but in the case of stress cracks we have had very good luck with just beveling the crack back and using the compound to fill the "trough". There are not any fibers to add or anything like that; what comes out of the two tubes is all you use. If you search AutoMix on the 3M site you will find the appropriate product for the SMC. I use the DuraMix line since that is what we started with back in the day and they have the same type of products with a less expensive applicator gun. As stated in the article the DuraMix can not have body fillers applied directly to it (any primer will work for this repair); the AutoMix equivalent can have them applied directly. DuraMix sells a very good video outlining the repair process and it really is easy do and the only stuff to use. On top of the DuraMix you simply use more of the repair compound as a filler and it works great; sets up faster than body filler and is a much better repair. You will find that this stuff sands a little tough in most cases, just be patient and have at it. If you have any direct questions you may pm me and I can get you all the information you need. Hope this helped out.

 

Thanks Deakins this is exactly the info I was looking for. Enormous help.

 

I also just posted a how to repair with the DuraMix in the thread above this one that you should look at. It gives the details on how to determine what is the best repair and how to perform it. The thread is called Corvette Bodyworkers....Step Inside a Moment. Glad I could help out!

 

WOW... that stuff sounds alot like plexus...I once had a boat brought to me that had delamanated the glass(secondary bond) right under the hydrulic ram that controled the arm to the rudder. Well he NEEDED to get underway ,and I WAS going to see it happen.
so I looked the thing over...sponged the water up...and mixed up some plexus and bedded the section down.
I sea trialed the boat the next day and everything worked fine, the owner was happy and set out on the high seas...that was 11 years ago...the darn thing is still holding together today! and I mean theres ALOT of stress in that area. Plexus made a believer out of me and feel that thats the stuff to mend stress cracks