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Sun Oct 12, 2025 1:31 pm

I'm starting on my buggy paint project....finally. I started sanding today and I have a question.
I have noticed "stress cracks" in various places on the buggy body, mostly in the rear area. Wasn't too concerned as I figured I would deal with those as I was prepping the body for paint, which I am doing now.
I started sanding and paid particular attention to the stress cracks as I went along. What I noticed is that if I sand to the fiberglass, the cracks disappear. The cracks don't seem to be in the fiberglas.
I'm assuming the cracks are from body flex and that there is little I can do about it. I'm sure in its early years, the buggy probably spent some time jumping dunes and racing over rough sand..... That won't happen again as long as I have it.
Anyway, once I'm done painting, am I likely to see the stress cracks appear again in the new paint????

Sun Oct 12, 2025 5:53 pm

A lot of it probably has to do with the type of paint and primer that was used on it and how old it was. I have seen lacquer for example stress cracking due to age and exposure to the sun. I think if you redo it with a modern high quality urethane system you will probably not have a problem with that.

Sun Oct 12, 2025 6:38 pm

Thanks for the reply. I think the paint is original to the mid 70's, so perhaps the sun has been a major factor.
I am using a base coat/clear coat paint, so hopefully that will last as long as the original paint. The buggy only sees the sun when it is being used, so being sheltered should help its longevity too.
I guess time will tell.
Thanks

Mon Oct 13, 2025 1:55 pm

I have used a dremel to router them out and fill with kitty hair.

The newer paints will be more flexible, especially the urethanes. You should also brace the areas prone to cracking.

Mon Oct 13, 2025 7:53 pm

Thanks, I may do that in the more heavily stressed cracked areas. Appreciate the reply and the idea.

Fri Nov 07, 2025 6:49 pm

Well, my buggy is finally painted. I put three base color coats and then three clear coats.
In a couple of weeks, I'll finish sand and put two more clear coats on it,
I was dog tired by the time I finished this afternoon, so I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Sat Nov 08, 2025 8:00 pm

Here are the pics I took after rolling the buggy outside tghe day after paint.
Tge last couple of photos are of the buggy when I got it with original paint and peeling clear coat.