Front End Damage help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 675
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From: San Jose CA
Front End Damage help
Hi, posted in the C3 Tech forum, but then I was made aware of this one, which is more applicable.
Need some guidance on body repair, even though I'm handy with a wrench, I have never messed with body repair on fiberglass.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...mage-help.html
Thanks!
JC
Need some guidance on body repair, even though I'm handy with a wrench, I have never messed with body repair on fiberglass.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...mage-help.html
Thanks!
JC
Last edited by Laserjohn; Mar 21, 2014 at 11:29 AM. Reason: link not showing up..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
NOT A PROBLEM!!!! so take a deep breath and RELAX!
More information is needed. I can see what you have but need to know what you may still need.
As for the crack...and the bent retainer...it is repairable. The body for sure...the retainer will depend on your skill level and if it is worth your time or buy a new one.
SO I will not be typing for hours and we play "tag" on the forum....you are more than free to call me at my shop and I will be glad to walk you through it. Step by step.
(704) 394-5150 EST M-F 8-5 Sat-Sun 10-4
If you get my answering machine ...leave you name and number CLEARLY and I will call you back.
DUB
More information is needed. I can see what you have but need to know what you may still need.
As for the crack...and the bent retainer...it is repairable. The body for sure...the retainer will depend on your skill level and if it is worth your time or buy a new one.
SO I will not be typing for hours and we play "tag" on the forum....you are more than free to call me at my shop and I will be glad to walk you through it. Step by step.
(704) 394-5150 EST M-F 8-5 Sat-Sun 10-4
If you get my answering machine ...leave you name and number CLEARLY and I will call you back.
DUB
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
NOT A PROBLEM!!!! so take a deep breath and RELAX!
More information is needed. I can see what you have but need to know what you may still need.
As for the crack...and the bent retainer...it is repairable. The body for sure...the retainer will depend on your skill level and if it is worth your time or buy a new one.
SO I will not be typing for hours and we play "tag" on the forum....you are more than free to call me at my shop and I will be glad to walk you through it. Step by step.
(704) 394-5150 EST M-F 8-5 Sat-Sun 10-4
If you get my answering machine ...leave you name and number CLEARLY and I will call you back.
DUB
More information is needed. I can see what you have but need to know what you may still need.
As for the crack...and the bent retainer...it is repairable. The body for sure...the retainer will depend on your skill level and if it is worth your time or buy a new one.
SO I will not be typing for hours and we play "tag" on the forum....you are more than free to call me at my shop and I will be glad to walk you through it. Step by step.
(704) 394-5150 EST M-F 8-5 Sat-Sun 10-4
If you get my answering machine ...leave you name and number CLEARLY and I will call you back.
DUB
)Should be about 11:00-ish your time. I'm very hesitant to start without some kind of plan. I think I've watched every fiberglass you tube vid, but it would seem that they have to be leaving some things out. It looks incredibly simple, which makes me nervous...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
After our talk today...if you can take a picture of the now missing piece that broke off...and then a photo of it when you place it back to where it went.
There is a high probability that it can be re-laminated in place.
I was picturing another Corvette on the forum that had more fiberglass missing in the same spot.....so it may work out that you can you the piece that fell off.
DUB
There is a high probability that it can be re-laminated in place.
I was picturing another Corvette on the forum that had more fiberglass missing in the same spot.....so it may work out that you can you the piece that fell off.
DUB
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
After our talk today...if you can take a picture of the now missing piece that broke off...and then a photo of it when you place it back to where it went.
There is a high probability that it can be re-laminated in place.
I was picturing another Corvette on the forum that had more fiberglass missing in the same spot.....so it may work out that you can you the piece that fell off.
DUB
There is a high probability that it can be re-laminated in place.
I was picturing another Corvette on the forum that had more fiberglass missing in the same spot.....so it may work out that you can you the piece that fell off.
DUB
Also, what is the adhesive that holds the body on? It is a greenish tinted stuff and I left small pieces of it on the car like you advised.
I'll take some pictures tonight or in the morning.
Actually, after I took the retainer off, I found out a few things. 1)It alone was make the light not close, the fiberglass just followed whatever the retainer did. 2)The adhesive was the only thing keeping the fiberglass from completely coming off.
DOH!I'm still determined to fix it, I like learning new things anyway.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
That green adhesive that bonded the steel retainer to the top hood surround is an adhesive that you will be able to re-apply when the retainer goes back in
YES...that retainer is installed in the front edge of top hood surrounds...search for it and see what you can find...and be aware that if your car is correct....there should have been a rubber biscuit bushing in the center of this retainer where it was bolted to the steel front impact bar assembly. If you get this retainer...you have to make sure you get eh correct one sue to the earlier Corvettes (pre-1980) does not have that platform area and caged nut for the bolts and front runner bushing to get mounted.
DO not throw away the retainer...you might find that you might have to "massage" it back so it can be used again. It has been a very long time since I needed a retainer.
Maybe call American Custom Industries, Ecklers and see if they will sell the retainer by itself...because I know that make the front ends and top hood surround and they may have them. I know Ecklers sells the SMC top hood surround...so they might be able to sell you the retainer.
DUB
YES...that retainer is installed in the front edge of top hood surrounds...search for it and see what you can find...and be aware that if your car is correct....there should have been a rubber biscuit bushing in the center of this retainer where it was bolted to the steel front impact bar assembly. If you get this retainer...you have to make sure you get eh correct one sue to the earlier Corvettes (pre-1980) does not have that platform area and caged nut for the bolts and front runner bushing to get mounted.
DO not throw away the retainer...you might find that you might have to "massage" it back so it can be used again. It has been a very long time since I needed a retainer.
Maybe call American Custom Industries, Ecklers and see if they will sell the retainer by itself...because I know that make the front ends and top hood surround and they may have them. I know Ecklers sells the SMC top hood surround...so they might be able to sell you the retainer.
DUB
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
That green adhesive that bonded the steel retainer to the top hood surround is an adhesive that you will be able to re-apply when the retainer goes back in
YES...that retainer is installed in the front edge of top hood surrounds...search for it and see what you can find...and be aware that if your car is correct....there should have been a rubber biscuit bushing in the center of this retainer where it was bolted to the steel front impact bar assembly. If you get this retainer...you have to make sure you get eh correct one sue to the earlier Corvettes (pre-1980) does not have that platform area and caged nut for the bolts and front runner bushing to get mounted.
DO not throw away the retainer...you might find that you might have to "massage" it back so it can be used again. It has been a very long time since I needed a retainer.
Maybe call American Custom Industries, Ecklers and see if they will sell the retainer by itself...because I know that make the front ends and top hood surround and they may have them. I know Ecklers sells the SMC top hood surround...so they might be able to sell you the retainer.
DUB
YES...that retainer is installed in the front edge of top hood surrounds...search for it and see what you can find...and be aware that if your car is correct....there should have been a rubber biscuit bushing in the center of this retainer where it was bolted to the steel front impact bar assembly. If you get this retainer...you have to make sure you get eh correct one sue to the earlier Corvettes (pre-1980) does not have that platform area and caged nut for the bolts and front runner bushing to get mounted.
DO not throw away the retainer...you might find that you might have to "massage" it back so it can be used again. It has been a very long time since I needed a retainer.
Maybe call American Custom Industries, Ecklers and see if they will sell the retainer by itself...because I know that make the front ends and top hood surround and they may have them. I know Ecklers sells the SMC top hood surround...so they might be able to sell you the retainer.
DUB
I'll work on the trying to get the retainer, as well as now, fix my fiberglass from both sides. Any advice on a good fiberglass book? I have written down what I could from Wiley "The Fiberglass Repair and Construction Handbook", it is an old book, but the surface prep is probably similar and the resin/fiberglass probably has gotten better.
I don't throw away anything (well almost anything) concerning my car,...a fact that irks my wife.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
There was evidence that a rubber bushing was there... but it had virtually nothing left of it. Thanks again for the advice, it is so appreciated!!!!
I'll work on the trying to get the retainer, as well as now, fix my fiberglass from both sides. Any advice on a good fiberglass book? I have written down what I could from Wiley "The Fiberglass Repair and Construction Handbook", it is an old book, but the surface prep is probably similar and the resin/fiberglass probably has gotten better.
I don't throw away anything (well almost anything) concerning my car,...a fact that irks my wife.
I'll work on the trying to get the retainer, as well as now, fix my fiberglass from both sides. Any advice on a good fiberglass book? I have written down what I could from Wiley "The Fiberglass Repair and Construction Handbook", it is an old book, but the surface prep is probably similar and the resin/fiberglass probably has gotten better.
I don't throw away anything (well almost anything) concerning my car,...a fact that irks my wife.
DUB
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