Spare tire carrier

[Thomas O.]

The spare tire carrier on my 73 has a small hole on the back side (farthest from bumper) actually on the angled portion or edge. the hole is about the diameter of a golf ball. My question, if I repair this with fiber glass is there any way to achieve the proper coloring and fiber like lines as in the undamaged portion? thanks, tom

[Harmon C.]

Re: Spare tire carrier

Scott Sinclar is repairing a few C-2 tubs and has told his secrets on this web site I think. I talked with him at Carlisle and he said a C-3 tub would be the same to fix. It is all in coloring the material and ending up with something that keeps the judges from seeing the repair. Do a search and see what you find.

[Terry M.]

Re: Spare tire carrier

Scott wrote a story on this subject in a recent (Spring or Summer 2008, I think) Restorer -- complete with pictures.

[Jack H.]

Re: Spare tire carrier

This damage is typically the result of worn suspension components and driver 'hot rodding' causing the car to bottom out with the spare tire carrier making contact with the pavement...

YES, original press-molded fiberglass panels CAN be repaired with virtual invisibility! I've seen several that had major damage from the drive shaft letting go done SO WELL you simply couldn't detect the repair(s).

The secret lies in mixing your own fiberglass (hand torn glass mat randomly mixed with resin) and 'doping' it with color/dye. Apply in THIN multiple segments and hand sand between applied layers + over-lapping the area of repair onto adjacent undamaged glass.

It's a labor intensive 'love' job, but when done correctly will be as durable and last as long as the surrounding, press molded, panel segments.

[Bill L.]

Re: Spare tire carrier

I have also been told it works really well to find a donor piece and grind up some of the original material to work with the resin along with some hand cut strands. I have a minor repair to do on my 70.

You might want to find a practice piece to work with first.



Bill