Fiberglass Repair Manuals

[Floyd B.]

It's time to tackle a few minor fiberglass repairs on my LT-4 and in my case that means learning fiberglass repair from the ground up.

I'm the kind of person who likes to read/follow a manual of step-by-step instructions the first few times then experiment to find what works best for me. I'm looking for suggestions on a set of manuals for Corvette fiberglass repair. I need something that explains the basics like how SMC panels are made (i.e. provides useful background information that helps the reader understand the origin of materials he is repairing) , which types of resins are appropriate for specific types of fiberglass, etc. and gives step-by-step instructions for making simple to intermediate repairs.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the Ray Schiro Glas-Ra series of manuals. If you have other suggestions based on my stated criteria I would appreciate receiving them.

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[Chuck S.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair Manuals

The manuals covering repair of polyester based fiberglass will have limited usefulness for your late model 96, except to give you ideas about general repair techniques, how to make decisions on repair or replacement, and repair preparation. Beginning with the 73 model, "fiberglass" repair materials are totally different and methods slightly changed.

For the late model Corvettes, I would recommend Lord's procedures http://www.lord.com/tabid/3411/Default.aspx . They are every bit as detailed as the manuals you can buy, but are concise using only several pages to convey the information. The best part is they're free.

The procedure likely to be of most use to you is "Composite Plastic Body Panel Repair". If you have a security system on your PC, I have found you may have to temporarily disable the security system to download the pdf.

Generally, the materials used for late model repairs are more expensive, and you may find yourself purchasing equipment you'll never need again; e.g. a resin mixing gun and heat lamps for curing. For a single minor repair or two, it may be cost effective to simply have a body shop do the repairs unless you just want the experience or trust no one else to do it right.

You can find discussions of how SMC is made in these archives, but frankly, it is valuable only as academic knowledge...it is not needed to make the repairs. As for learning, and experimenting to find "your way", I would discourage you from that...the manufacturers have developed the procedures using these materials with the commercial repair shop in mind; I doubt you're going to find any shortcuts or better way of doing it.

[Pat M.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair Manuals

Floyd - I bought a paperback book by Kurt Lammon regarding the repair of many types of plastics, including auto fiberglass. I haven't actually had to use it yet, but I was impressed with the book's layout, scope, and step-by-step details. You might want to check it out. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Repair-Pla.../dp/188431337X