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Fiberglass Repair
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ZackN
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Joined: February 22, 2008
Posts: 182
Location: California
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 10:16 pm    Post subject: Fiberglass Repair Reply with quote

Hey guys i have a Baja buggy in less than ideal shape. It has fiberglass fenders that have a spiderweb looking crack marks in it in places along with some other spots that have deeper cracks.
I am wondering if there is a certain epoxy that i should use and what the proper way to use it would be. I have a decent amount of fiberglass, but I have never done the whole epoxy and glass thing.
I can practice on an old school skim board that i have.
Ill add some pictures tomorrow.
Any Advice is appreciated!

Thanks
Zack
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jspbtown
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Joined: January 27, 2004
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pictures will help to determine the extent of the damage and then the type of repair.

Sometime spiderweb cracks are just in the paint and/or gelcoat and can be sanded out. Sometimes they are deeper.

For real cracks to want to take a grinder and taper the crack back on each side and fill in the gap with a mix of resin and fiberglass matt. The deeper the crack the wider the taper. You can then grind the back of the crack and lay in several layers of matt. A good fiberglass roller (not that expensive) will ensure that all the air pockets are out. If you don't want to spend the cash then a good stiff (cheap) brush will work.

Once everything is repaired you can skim with a good quality filler, shoot some high build primer, guidecoat, block, and finish.

For the resin, I have always just used resin from your local Home Depot. I have made some very extensive repairs and this has always worked great for me. If you want to go over the top then look at the West Epoxy Systems. Its great stuff but expensive.
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ZackN
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Joined: February 22, 2008
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Location: California
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 06, 2014 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info!
Ill try to get some pictures tomorrow, camera was dead, and charger was buried in a box somewhere while moving.
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ZackN
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Joined: February 22, 2008
Posts: 182
Location: California
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here are some pictures:
Click picture for larger image.
Edit: they dont seem to get any larger...

Driver front:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Driver Rear Fender:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Driver Rear Fender:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Passenger Front:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
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jspbtown
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have some decent cracking there with loose gelcoat.

I would aggressively grind away all the loose gelcoat back to the underlying fiberglass. Then lay some matt and resin over where you ground. Get a rough shape with a DA and then use a high quality filler for a skim coat.

Shoot some high build primer, guidecoat, and block it out.
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ZackN
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Joined: February 22, 2008
Posts: 182
Location: California
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info.

Ill do that, sounds like a decent way to repair it.

First car that i have ever painted so everything is a learning experience.

My coworker is helping me out and pointing me in the direction i should go. Eventually we will paint it at his shop.

I think that i have a bit of reading yet to do in the stickies here in this section, there is lots of info about paint and appearance, which is something that I have never cared about before. I wash my truck on average 1-2 times per year!
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