A couple of issues with Fiberglass

Not sure how to repair the following:
Gel coat deteriorated:
Gel Coat Damaged.JPG


Chunk missing:
Chunk Missing.JPG


It's been a while since I have done anything with fiberglass so I know there must be a host of new products out there. Not sure where to begin or what is the best method of repair.
Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 
Not being able to lay eyes on it '68, but it is probably SMC as opposed to fiberglass. Most (all?) trucks in the last 20 years or so use it as opposed to fiberglass. So you'll want to use SMC compatible materials. I would use the new 2 part epoxy based repair compounds for the hole.
Here is a good video from SEM that helped me a couple of years ago fix something very similar to what you are doing.


You are going to have to bond it to that steel so, you 'll have to get the steel nice and clean. Epoxy the steel, use the 2 part and mat, to bond it to the epoxied steel.
As for the gel coat deterioration, I would DA with 80 until I got it feathered, and all the old gelcoat and rotten glass gone. If you didn't have to remove too much material, epoxy, then glaze it if necessary. Or if it needs more material use a 2 part epoxy based repair compound like in that video.

Cover as much of your body as possible when you work on this. Long sleeve shirts help a lot. Careful how you blow yourself off too.
 
I would suggest epoxy as well over the gel coat, then filler of your choice. Epoxy is awesome over SMC or glass, and I've had it fill stress cracks not even trying, which 2K never did for me. Lots of practice on sprint car parts:)
 
68, did stress pop broken piece off? What is rusted piece? Mounting point?
I know it's gonna look too damn good to work when done & strong.
Have a blast spraying that :)
 
The rusted metal is the brace the splash shield mounts to. On the other side there were four machine screws with nuts hold it on, this one had that big chunk missing.

Owner is going to price new ones tomorrow. :cool:

Thanks for the heads up on the material Chris! Though I have no idea what the difference between SMC and fiberglass is. :confused:
 
Sanded and sprayed two coats of epoxy (no reducer) and that alone took care of the small crack. Used filler for the rough area.
The small crack didn't appear to be from stress but who knows what these trucks go through in 20 years and over a million miles of service?
I did purchase a fiberglass repair kit but didn't end up using it.

The different materials, SMC, aluminum, metal, plastic all made this project a bit different than most.
 
Looks real good '68. Owner should be well pleased. You weren't you able to fit the cab/truck in your booth were you? Trying to paint that cab was a PITA I'll bet. Me being short I've always struggled with the few that I've done. Just trying to get around one without touching anything is hard.
 
Looks real good '68. Owner should be well pleased. You weren't you able to fit the cab/truck in your booth were you? Trying to paint that cab was a PITA I'll bet. Me being short I've always struggled with the few that I've done. Just trying to get around one without touching anything is hard.

Yes it was difficult to reach. I had a small step ladder at the back and a milk crate next to the oil tank so I could stand on the tank and spray 1/2 the roof and upper portion over the doors and into the drip rails.
Then a large ladder to finish the upper section over the door, then I would move the step ladder next to the front tire, climb up and stand on the engine block while painting the rest of the hood. Climb back down, move the step ladder to the door area and shoot the jambs and lower sides of the cabs and work my way around the back to the other door.

Lots of moving the ladder and climbing up and down. I used slow activator and the temps were only in the 60s so that helped with avoiding dry spray.

It took 200.75 hours to complete this project but that included some interior repair, installing a new stereo and speakers, wiring in the tail lights, replacing the power mirrors and wiring those in, welding a 1/4" plate in to replace the aluminum tree support, new chrome bumper, grill, sun visor and rear fenders, plus installing a new steering wheel, chrome exhaust stack, etc. etc.
 
Color looks way better then i expected. Saw it on his & hers dodges shortly after you mentioned color & i wasn't crazy about it. Great job. He love's it i bet.
 
Back
Top