Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

[John N.]

My 1966 corvette currently has flared wheel openings done in 1967. I want to remove them and replace w/new panels. Does any one have a suggestion as to whose panels would be best suited for this situation and HAS ANYONE OUT THERE HEARD OF TOOLING RESIN and its intended use re: back filling holes and gaps.
thanks
john

[Terry D.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

I would check with some of the restoration shops in the Driveline.

[Bill H.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

For the panels: http://www.corvetteimage.com/ They have the best parts. Tooling resin is used for making molds and I wouldn't use it for your fenders. You will need laminating resin and fiberglass mat (don't use cloth). The laminating resins are general fiberglass resins you see in the parts stores. I used to buy resin from Fiberglast (good company) but recently found 3M resin and mat at Home Depot (if you can believe that). It's good resin, I did some repairs on race cars that haven't cracked under the high stress race cars see. And if you need to replace the bonding strips at the flares, 3M Panel Bonding Adhesive p/n 8115 works very well. You are supposed to use a special gun with it because it's a twin tube but you can rig a way to easily use it (I used to use 2 wooden dowels before I bought the gun @ $53). I just finished redoing all the 1970 bodyshop repairs on my 67's fenders with solid glass. Personnally, I refuse to use body filler on a fiberglass repair, I only use glazing putty to fill in sanding scratches and pin holes. AND avoid anything from Bondo, it's cheap but not high quality. So, for your flares, you need: good resin and mat, bonding adhesive for the strips and glazing putty (Evercoat or U-Pol).

[John N.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

Great idea, I read the driveline regularly and the light did not go on. I will do that this morning.

[John N.]

Wow, It definitely sounds like you've done this type of fiberglass repair more than once. I have heard that Corvette Image makes a very good product so I will call them this morning. The rear flares are definitely below the bonding strip so I feel that repair will be more straight forward, albeit (not easy!). The front flares are way more complicated as the Flares are definitely about 3 inches above the bonding strip and run along the belt line about 16 inches leaving a 3 x 16 inch gap above the new panel installation and new bond strip.. Would tooling resin and mat glass best be used to close up that gap or better question is how would you close up that gap without removing the complete front clip. How do you make that gap undetectible on very hot days. Thanks

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[Bill H.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

I've been doing glass for many years including building my own molds but I'm not a pro. I have the front fender bonding strips on the 67 curing right now. You do need to forget about the tooling resin John. The 3M stuff is very inexpensive and this laminating resin is what you want to use. The gap is not a big deal but will take some time to do it right. Once the new piece is bonded to the new strip, you'll need to V grind the 3/16 gap on each side to 3/4 inch from the edge of the gap. This gives you way more surface area for the mat to adhere to. It would also be good to V grind the back or the parts before install so you can apply mat on the back side (if you can get in there). Then cut strips of mat equal to the width of the V grinds and keep applying them until the thickness is slightly higher than the new parts. Then sand flush. I usually will put masking tape along the bottom edge of the V grind so that the resin can't run down on the new part. I'd suggest that if this is your first time, you may want to purchase Corvette fiberglass repair book.

[John N.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

Thank you 3x. I will forget about the tooling resin! and I hear you loud and clear and I was planning on the V cut in hopes that it would help matters. Thanks for sharing your expertise as I need all the help I can get. I did post some photos, hope you were able to see them, especially the front flares. This is my first time doing this on a car, did a lot of surfboard repairs but definitely not the same. I'm flying somewhat in the dark on this chore.

[Steve W.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

I see you are in California, Mike and America's Finest Corvettes would be a Great Resource for parts and help also.

www.CorvetteUSA.com

Regards,

Steve

[John N.]

Re: Fiberglass Repair - undoing flares

Thanks, I've heard of them and I believe they make a high quality front 1966 fiberglass panel. I'm not positive about that but that is my recollection.