Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

[Brian Adams]

Hello all,

I am rebuilding a 58' and of course prefer the price of hand laid repro parts over that of pressmolded repro parts. My questions are ... Is there a noticeable difference between the two? If so what is it and can the hand laid be made to look like the original? (i.e. have the judges accept the look as original at a show). I of course want my car to end up as "correct" as possible but would also like to keep costs down. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated seeing as how I'm about to buy some parts and don't want to end up dissappointed in the long run.

Brian (Florida)

[Rodney Armstrong]

Re: Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

Brian,

As you know, PM fiberglass is what Chevrolet used on your corvette. The hand laid fiberglass shows more fiberglass texture on the bottom side. It is possible to smooth the rough surface but the outcome will depend on the amount of effort put into the job. Becareful, a lot of the reproduction hand laid fiberglass is junk. From my experience, the hand laid fiberglass panels are not as heavy as the original panels. I replaced the quarters on my corvette with PM quarters from Ecklers and they look great. I believe Ecklers manufactures the best reproduction fiberglass.

Good Luck, Rodney

[dale pearman]

Re: Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

Everyone is entitled to their own beleifs. I beleive that if you had tried a Shermersheim product or a fiberglass piece from the firm in Lyle, Washington, whose name escapes me at the moment, you might "convert" and beleive that your beleifs were ill-founded. I beleive that to be beleivable. I do!

!m000000000000000000000000raV

[Wayne W.]

Re: Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

By the way, that press molded part from Ecklers is manufactured by Corvette Image in Oregon.

[dale pearman]

Re: Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

Yeah, Thanks, Corvette Immage is Correct. I should write a column, "The Senile Enthusiast" for Restorer Magazine. I envision wonderful technical answers while forgetting the question. Me & Noland would make a heck of a pair on that one. By the way both Noland Adams and myself, The Rooster, Grossmueller, and Rev. Ernst will be instructors at Bloomington Gold's Workshops. "Anatomy of Solid Axles" this year. Y'all welcome. OH yes, the question if Eckler's markets Corvette Image stuff. If it's cheaper to buy it than make it I'm sure Ed Mills will opt to buy it. Is that why I'm posting this message?

Dale.

[Robert C.]

Re: Dale's book

Dale, You could revisit the old collectable series, "The Sensuous American" with "The Sensuious Senile Straightaxle American".


Texas Chapter NCRS

[Don]

Re: Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

Your original question about hand vs press mold. I have worked with all panels original, repro press, and hand. The worst is the hand laid,they are to thick and after a few years the finish on the outside shrinks differant then the rest of the body, unless you are selling your car don't use them. The repro press mold are the best of the repro but don't be fooled into thinking they are press molded they just use a two sided mold not under presser like the original. So they are not as strong as original. A guy in our club has a 60 front from the floor to the front for sale. www@ccdv.com go to parts wanted, he cane find you there, I don't know his address.

[dale pearman]

Re: Dale's book

I'll start working on "THE SENILE SENSUOUS SOLID AXLE SLEUTH SERIES" as soon as I find my teeth so I can see the word processor. Also, I've lost my cat! See the post on www.solidaxle.org. (very last post) I've also lost my "delete" key and theres smoke coming from the number pad keyboard. Thanks and have a nice day!

[Bill D.]

Re: Press Molded vs. Hand Laid

I agree with Dale, even though he doesn't remember the question! I have dealt with Sermersheim's for years. Top quality, knowledgable, friendly, a pleasure to do business with. Call them @ (812) 424-4701, you will be glad you did. Good luck with your project. WB

[Jerry Clark]

It is probably not wise to buy...

"unless you are selling your car don't use them".

A used Corvette from Don.

Jerry

[Jerry Clark]

Autograph my copy

it's spelled D - a - l - e

[dale pearman]

Re: Autograph my copy

What is spellied D-a-l-e? Sound like some kind of columinist comminist komunist political stuff to mee!