Paint cracks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Floyds Knobs indiana
Paint cracks
WHAT TYPE OF REPAIR IS NEEDED FOR THIS AREA OF DAMAGE TO BODY. STRIPPING OLD PAINT VERY DRY LOOKING PAINT ? THIS AREA IS LOCATED TOP LEFT FENDER AREA BY B PILLAR.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 378
From: Oceanside CA
I'm sure others will be chiming in but it appears that the paint is peeling away from the glass. I don't see evidence of a primer. The glass is likely contaminated. I would be inclined to strip off the paint and wash the area several times with Dawn (blue). My $.02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
That paint is very dead. It all needs to come off, and after a good cleaning with Dawn, a 3 day bake in the sun and at least 2 applications of acetone wiped off with lots of paper towels, and another 2 days in the full sun it's ready to refinish with your favorite build primer and new paint. It need to be cleaned very well because the glass fibers are totally unprotected in those areas where the paint is gone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
After you do what is said above I believe you need to use expoxy primer or a gel-coat on that body before any primers! It may even need some resin laid on places like that finder that looks like it is just loose glass fibers but strip it completely first before anything else I believe. And no I'm not even close to knowing much about this, I just listen to some very smart people that use to be around here and everything they have said works great, for me anyway. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Floyds Knobs indiana
i am worried that glass looks like loose fibers and needs to be sealed to give something for the primer to stick to. any thought on what to use. going to strip complete car. doing frame off restro.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Since your handle includes 1976 I'll assume that's the year of your car. If so, and the panels are original to the car (or genuine GM replacements); the body is a material called SMC. SMC is not gel coat compatible so that's out if the car is "furry" when you get the paint off.
There's been a lot of discussion about what might be used to seal the fuzz in but here are three options: Skim coat the bad areas with epoxy resin , sand smooth then prime; Prime it and seal it in one step using a Urethane based primer/surfacer over the bare glass or prime/seal in one step using an epoxy primer directly on the bare glass. The primer debate is ongoing and both sides have good arguments for why it works for them... research both a bit and decide for yourself.
As a side note, any fiberglass repair to your 1976 should be done using an epoxy resin... most polyester formulas are not compatible with SMC. Since you are doing a frame off, and the body won't need attention until the frame and drivetrain are complete you have some time to get comfortable with materials and body repair techniques. Have fun and ask any questions here, or in the general or tech forums as well!
There's been a lot of discussion about what might be used to seal the fuzz in but here are three options: Skim coat the bad areas with epoxy resin , sand smooth then prime; Prime it and seal it in one step using a Urethane based primer/surfacer over the bare glass or prime/seal in one step using an epoxy primer directly on the bare glass. The primer debate is ongoing and both sides have good arguments for why it works for them... research both a bit and decide for yourself.
As a side note, any fiberglass repair to your 1976 should be done using an epoxy resin... most polyester formulas are not compatible with SMC. Since you are doing a frame off, and the body won't need attention until the frame and drivetrain are complete you have some time to get comfortable with materials and body repair techniques. Have fun and ask any questions here, or in the general or tech forums as well!
