Luggage Carrier

[Kevin D.]

I have a 69 vette that at one time had a luggage carrier the rack is long gone but the holes are still there plugged with metal buttons.Should I keep the carrier holes and replace the rack or try to fill in the holes?

[Joe L.]

Re: Luggage Carrier

I have a 69 vette that at one time had a luggage carrier the rack is long gone but the holes are still there plugged with metal buttons.Should I keep the carrier holes and replace the rack or try to fill in the holes?

Kevin------


These holes are notoriously difficult to repair in such a way that vestiges of their once-presence are completely obliterated. In can be done, however, but it will take a skilled repair. The easiest thing to do might be to just replace the luggage carrier. I think you will lose the same points for the holes regardless if the luggage rack is there or if the push-in plugs are there.

[Alan S.]

Re: Luggage Carrier

Hi Kevin,
Joe is sure right about the holes being difficult to fill successfully.
I learned that it must be done with fiberglass and resin using NO filler.
I'd think it would only be worth the few points if you really don't like/want the rack and if the car is being painted anyway.
Regards,
Alan

Here's a picture that I retrieved from an earlier post of the repair on my 71. The body sat for 6 months after the holes were filled before any painting was done. So far, (5 years) ,they've remained hidden.

[Pat M.]

Re: Luggage Carrier

It is difficult, but it can be done. I think Alan has suggested a good method, including the waiting time.

A previous owner of my 70 filled in luggage rack holes using fiberglass but I don't think he waited to paint it. When I got the car two years later the holes could BARELY be seen at the perfect angle and in the perfect light. But, after I had the car repainted (without doing anything to the previous repairs) they are now completely undetectable.

[Kevin D.]

Re: Luggage Carrier

thanks members i don't have the rack and I really don't want to buy one I think I will fill them in I don't plan on painting until next year so I should have some time for it to dry and shrink...............any thoughts on how to repair it is much appreciated..........

[Joe L.]

Re: Luggage Carrier

thanks members i don't have the rack and I really don't want to buy one I think I will fill them in I don't plan on painting until next year so I should have some time for it to dry and shrink...............any thoughts on how to repair it is much appreciated..........

Kevin-----


I think the key is using an all-fiberglass repair and not using filler as has been mentioned by others. I think there have been several more extensive posts on this repair in the past. They should be in the archives. You might search on "luggage rack" or "luggage rack holes" to find them.

[Alan S.]

Re: Luggage Carrier

Hi Kevin,
Again I'll second Joe's information.
The repair on my 71 was done by tapering the fiberglass surface on each side of the rear deck to do the fiberglass work. I really can hardly see the repair from below because it was handled in the same way and with the same care as the repair on the top surface. Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

If you look carefully at the picture you can see the repair is about the size of a silver dollar (remember those?). Only the very center of the tapered area remained the size of the original hole for the well nut.