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Hi all,
I pulled a DUH! the other day...scraped a curb while pulling into a driveway. The phone pics below show the damage. FYI - My car is a daily driver (except for winter ).
I'm about to install Z06 Brake Ducts and am looking for advice on how best to repair this damage before (or during) the brake duct install.
Hi brplatz,
When I click that link I get a "The requested page was not found" message. I'm very interested in what you used/did. Is there another way to get to this page?
Yup that's the link! Don't know how I screwed up my link
Cool. So you used only the Bondo for the fill/repair? I wasn't sure if that was okay for SMC...I think you just did that repair in the past couple months, but has the Bondo held up well?
Keep in mind that SMC is layered....much like pages in a book....and when it gets badly scraped...or hit. The damage can migrate through all of the layers. And not only can it migrate though the panels structure...it will also transfer outwards. A lot of this depends on how badly it was hit or stressed.
depending on how fatigued the SMC is AFTER it ash been ground down and PROPERLY PREPPED.....will dictate the type of ,material to repair it. 'Bondo' has no structural strength. It is only a filler if you choose to use it. I personally do not use it. I prefer using a product that is not only a filler but has some serious strength to it...and it also has limitations.
The one 'blessing' I can 'say' when I look at your first photo is that the damage is at the end of the rocker...in a curved area where the panels is really strong....even though it is messed up fairly good. Repairing this area should not be that bad due to the strength in this area...the odds that the repair would come back and HAUNT YOU is very low...in my opinion.....BUT....IT also depends on what you do and how you do it. Just because I wrote that the odds are in your favor for a successful repair...is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how you prep it...diagnose the problem and the choices in what to use int that area.
This damage area in the first photo can be much larger when you go and prep it and try to find the end of the damaged distressed layers.
Keep in mind that SMC is layered....much like pages in a book....and when it gets badly scraped...or hit. The damage can migrate through all of the layers. And not only can it migrate though the panels structure...it will also transfer outwards. A lot of this depends on how badly it was hit or stressed.
depending on how fatigued the SMC is AFTER it ash been ground down and PROPERLY PREPPED.....will dictate the type of ,material to repair it. 'Bondo' has no structural strength. It is only a filler if you choose to use it. I personally do not use it. I prefer using a product that is not only a filler but has some serious strength to it...and it also has limitations.
The one 'blessing' I can 'say' when I look at your first photo is that the damage is at the end of the rocker...in a curved area where the panels is really strong....even though it is messed up fairly good. Repairing this area should not be that bad due to the strength in this area...the odds that the repair would come back and HAUNT YOU is very low...in my opinion.....BUT....IT also depends on what you do and how you do it. Just because I wrote that the odds are in your favor for a successful repair...is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how you prep it...diagnose the problem and the choices in what to use int that area.
This damage area in the first photo can be much larger when you go and prep it and try to find the end of the damaged distressed layers.
DUB
DUB,
Thank you so much for chiming in! I'm definitely not a professional paint/body tech, and I can tell from your posts in this forum that you are certainly knowledgeable/skilled in this area. I also appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts to help others out.
That said, I would really welcome your input/recommendations. Due to my limited experience and resources, I'd ask for your advice on the most "simple" approach that will still produce a durable repair.
Please let me know what you would recommend. Thanks!!
QUESTION...the TWO photos you posted..are they the same damage...but photographed from different angles??? They look like two separate damage areas.
So much depends on how the area(s) are prepped and the integrity of the remaining SMC.
Let me think about it and I will get back to you....because I am going to assume the worst...and also wonder if the products that are to be used are available in your area.
QUESTION...the TWO photos you posted..are they the same damage...but photographed from different angles??? They look like two separate damage areas.
So much depends on how the area(s) are prepped and the integrity of the remaining SMC.
Let me think about it and I will get back to you....because I am going to assume the worst...and also wonder if the products that are to be used are available in your area.
DUB
Hi DUB,
Yes those photos are of the same area; different angles. I can try to get some better pics this afternoon.
I was looking at Evercoat products (Fiber Tech 633 and Glaze 416), but would rather hear from you on what you think. I'll be ordering this stuff off the internet, so I'm open to other brands/products too...if comparable on cost.
Hi DUB,
Yes those photos are of the same area; different angles. I can try to get some better pics this afternoon.
I was looking at Evercoat products (Fiber Tech 633 and Glaze 416), but would rather hear from you on what you think. I'll be ordering this stuff off the internet, so I'm open to other brands/products too...if comparable on cost.
Yes...you can use the Fiber Tech 663 if you choose. And the Glaze also.
Once again....it all depends on how it is prepped and how much body material is removed and remaining.
I know there can be several ways to repair body damage. And these options or 'ways' can range from 1 to 10. So..asking me for advice or suggestions when I have to think and employ repairs that are in the upper range...9's or 10 is hard to due when the range is desired to be less than what I have my brain trained for. Trying to advise on a what to use and how to use something when I am not there or can see how things are prepped is REALLY HARD...especially when some people are COUNTING ON what I write to be their saving grace.....because they do not know.... and are TRUSTING ME in giving correct advice. I can only do what I can do from WHERE I AM AT.
Being down low on the panel...this FiberTech should work...but ...I WOULD NOT try to grind out a hole when prepping this area....keeping a thin layer of the original SMC is still preferred...even if it is distressed...because it will act as a backer so you can slowly apply a product to it and begin adding strength.
Yes...you can use the Fiber Tech 663 if you choose. And the Glaze also.
Once again....it all depends on how it is prepped and how much body material is removed and remaining.
I know there can be several ways to repair body damage. And these options or 'ways' can range from 1 to 10. So..asking me for advice or suggestions when I have to think and employ repairs that are in the upper range...9's or 10 is hard to due when the range is desired to be less than what I have my brain trained for. Trying to advise on a what to use and how to use something when I am not there or can see how things are prepped is REALLY HARD...especially when some people are COUNTING ON what I write to be their saving grace.....because they do not know.... and are TRUSTING ME in giving correct advice. I can only do what I can do from WHERE I AM AT.
Being down low on the panel...this FiberTech should work...but ...I WOULD NOT try to grind out a hole when prepping this area....keeping a thin layer of the original SMC is still preferred...even if it is distressed...because it will act as a backer so you can slowly apply a product to it and begin adding strength.
DUB
Thanks so much DUB! I totally understand/respect that you operate and approach this type of work from a much "higher" perspective than an amateur/novice such as myself. I also know that your advice is exactly that...advice. And that your advice does not assure the same quality of outcome that you would have achieved if you did the work yourself. I'm just thankful to get some guidance in this.
I also found Evercoat Tiger Hair 1189 is a bit cheaper than the Evercoat Fiber Tech..looks like a product that might be a choice for me...and save a few $$.
So just so that I am on the same page with ya, are you saying that for this particular repair I can just clean/sand/prep the area, but leave the majorly distressed area fairly "as is"...not create a whole clear through. Then just evercoat the area to fill it; then sand, finish and paint?
I also found Evercoat Tiger Hair 1189 is a bit cheaper than the Evercoat Fiber Tech..looks like a product that might be a choice for me...and save a few $$.
You can use what you choose...and this can work...but I personally would not use the 'Tiger hair' for a repair like this. Getting the hardener mixed into the resin base thoroughly and how this stuff applies on the panel is NOT a chosen method for me.
So just so that I am on the same page with ya, are you saying that for this particular repair I can just clean/sand/prep the area, but leave the majorly distressed area fairly "as is"...not create a whole clear through. Then just evercoat the area to fill it; then sand, finish and paint?
ACTUALLY...I remove as MUCH of the distressed/broken SMC ...but try to leave enough still intact that will allow me to apply a THIN layer on it and allow it to set-up...then go back in when that has cured out...and grind it again...and then I now have a solid foundation to finish out my repair....but...you can do it as you choose. Which is why I would not use the Tiger Hair...because if I ground out the damaged SMC enough...the force to apply and get the Tiger hair to stick might be a bit excessive and cause for more problems. I generally grind out distressed areas like this so thin that I can only apply one layer of mat and resin to it...and when that cures..I know I can finish out with my other layers of mat and resin.
ACTUALLY...I remove as MUCH of the distressed/broken SMC ...but try to leave enough still intact that will allow me to apply a THIN layer on it and allow it to set-up...then go back in when that has cured out...and grind it again...and then I now have a solid foundation to finish out my repair....but...you can do it as you choose. Which is why I would not use the Tiger Hair...because if I ground out the damaged SMC enough...the force to apply and get the Tiger hair to stick might be a bit excessive and cause for more problems. I generally grind out distressed areas like this so thin that I can only apply one layer of mat and resin to it...and when that cures..I know I can finish out with my other layers of mat and resin.
DUB
Great advice DUB! I really appreciate your input/experience.
I have a nearly an identical damaged spot in the same location. Has the repair been completed? Pics? and did you use the products mentioned, Fiber Tech 633 and Glaze 416?
Rocker Damage Advice Needed
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