Need help - how to store a fiberglass hood?

S

Senile Old Fart

Hi Guys, I have a new Maier fiberglass hood for my 65 Mustang arriving tomorrow. I am assuming it was recently fabricated as it was on back order since the end of March when I ordered it.

I only need it for a few hours for trial fit , then it will need to be stored for up to a year before it gets a final fit and install.

What is the best way to store it so the "green" glass doesnt take a set that isnt favorable ?

Thanks!
 
shine;19535 said:
let it lay in the sun for 3 days then store flat.
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Shine, Should it lay topside up or with its topside down? How should it be supported, if at all?

Would plywood laying on 2x4's on saw horses be adequate? Should I put supporting blocks at the hinge mounts and where the hood bumpers are at the front?

Biggest trick is going to be the 3 days of sunshine, lol. We just had our 3 day allotment for this week,lol.

Sorry for asking such basic questions, but I am a virgin with aftermarket fg and I don't want mess it up.
 
Normally I bolt them on and align them good and park the thing in the sun for 3 days. Any other way is a crap shoot to how it will fit down the road...
 
I always try to support hoods and decklids at the points that they attach and get supported by on the car. On the hoods I position a 2x4 or similar to support the rear of the hood under the hinge attachment areas and on the front the contact point needs to be where the rubber bumpers touch-this way the center of the innerstructure isn't distorting and any blocking that gets done off the car is the same as if it were installed-provided the latch area isn't stressed from a maladjustment.
 
Hinge spring pressure can distort both fiberglass and steel panels, it's one factor that can't be easily simulated off the vehicle.

In theory, the ideal way to support a part that is the correct shape is to spread its weight as evenly as possible over as much area as possible. In practice, any way you do it will eventually introduce some distortion. Supporting the part at the hinge and front side bumper areas will most closely duplicate the distortion that would happen from the part being mounted. Your choice of how to support the part could be influenced by how the part fits, for example if the front center seems low, you would support it and let the sides hang free, but if the center was high, you'd support the sides and let the center hang free.
 
parts will not change shape once cured. as long as the hood lays flat during the cure it will be ok. storing standing up in a basement can slightly change the shape but only a little. :p put it back in the box and store it flat.
 
Ask Chrysler about storage problems with viper front ends.... shops often spend 30hrs getting a NEW viper front to the proper shape and fit all because Chrysler didn't package them well.
 
I used to work at a shop that made fiberglass parts, it was common for us to leave the parts in the mold for weeks out in the back lot so they would stabilize before removal. Of course this is not feasible for high production, but for maximum quality it is a good idea.
 
Dub;19544 said:
Normally I bolt them on and align them good and park the thing in the sun for 3 days. Any other way is a crap shoot to how it will fit down the road...
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My vote is the above, and then back in the box, or stored with the attachment points holding the weight as said (and for what it is worth from an old guy)
 
flynams;19622 said:
My vote is the above, and then back in the box, or stored with the attachment points holding the weight as said (and for what it is worth from an old guy)
Click to expand...

And I know I'll get flamed for this, but I would wrap the nose with black plastic while it's in the sun for 3 days....sorry, but it really helps the composite reach temperatures above what it will ever see this way...ok...flamesuit on
 
Today I am going to make a 1/2" tubing spreader bar that will have a bolt hole in each end.
It will fasten to the hinge bolt threads.
I am going run a piece of tubing from each end to a plate that bolts to the latch threads. In essence making a triangle.
I will be hanging the hood on a couple hooks on the wall for storage as I am out of space to store it laying flat.
Thanks everyone for the help :)
 
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