Rear Deck Level?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 14
From: Northern Ca.
Rear Deck Level?
Stripping and prepping for primer. The space right behind the gas cap cover has a ridge that leads back to the spoiler. Do all rear decks have a high spot here? How level is the rear panel supposed to be? Does it slant just before the gas cap. There does not seem to be any damage to it with factory glass under the primer. I can imagine that no two are alike.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Last edited by DEEPSEA70; Mar 28, 2014 at 02:29 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
From my experiences...there is a slightly raised ridge from the "thumb" area of your fuel door opening down to the "spoiler" area of the rear body.
I usually run into more problems above the fuel door area on both sides where the press-molded fiberglass has settled and I can feel waves in the body. Getting this deck area right is very time consuming...because the panel is weak and when you push on it ...it can actually move without a lot pf pressure. Getting one slick and straight is A LOT OF WORK.
DUB
I usually run into more problems above the fuel door area on both sides where the press-molded fiberglass has settled and I can feel waves in the body. Getting this deck area right is very time consuming...because the panel is weak and when you push on it ...it can actually move without a lot pf pressure. Getting one slick and straight is A LOT OF WORK.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 14
From: Northern Ca.
From my experiences...there is a slightly raised ridge from the "thumb" area of your fuel door opening down to the "spoiler" area of the rear body.
I usually run into more problems above the fuel door area on both sides where the press-molded fiberglass has settled and I can feel waves in the body. Getting this deck area right is very time consuming...because the panel is weak and when you push on it ...it can actually move without a lot pf pressure. Getting one slick and straight is A LOT OF WORK.
DUB
I usually run into more problems above the fuel door area on both sides where the press-molded fiberglass has settled and I can feel waves in the body. Getting this deck area right is very time consuming...because the panel is weak and when you push on it ...it can actually move without a lot pf pressure. Getting one slick and straight is A LOT OF WORK.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
YES...These issues in the upper deck are normal from what I have experienced. Fixing them are an ENTIRELY different issue....especially with the Vette Panel Adhesive I use...makes it even harder to do nut well worth it when completed. You just can not be in a hurry in this area...because it will BEAT YOU UP...if you let it get to you.
I know I would not prime it and then try to do something after I could see what it looked like. (personally/professionally "speaking") I would "feel" out the panel and fix it first...and I use gelcoat that will also aid in allowing the panel to get a bit straighter due to the film build needed when applying gelcoat...but many do not gelcoat and choose to prime it and move on...which is totally their choice....obviously. But I would fix it first....and I also would be cautious on what you apply as a filler to achieve your end result. I am VERY OPINIONATED when it comes to body fillers on a Corvette. And using a "light weight" body filler that is much easier to use is NOT my choice. I prefer to use a filler that is very heavy and dense and will be a solid filler that will last for a VERY LONG time.
DUB
I know I would not prime it and then try to do something after I could see what it looked like. (personally/professionally "speaking") I would "feel" out the panel and fix it first...and I use gelcoat that will also aid in allowing the panel to get a bit straighter due to the film build needed when applying gelcoat...but many do not gelcoat and choose to prime it and move on...which is totally their choice....obviously. But I would fix it first....and I also would be cautious on what you apply as a filler to achieve your end result. I am VERY OPINIONATED when it comes to body fillers on a Corvette. And using a "light weight" body filler that is much easier to use is NOT my choice. I prefer to use a filler that is very heavy and dense and will be a solid filler that will last for a VERY LONG time.
DUB
