body repairs

[scottyb]

I am about to embark on my first fiberglass repair. I have experience with bondo and fillers and paint, just never did any fiberglass. So if you can, please give some info on the dos and don'ts for fiberglass. This cart looks like plastic over fiberglass? The cowl has a 4 inch split in the front edge that I want to repair......Thanks in advance

[napalaz]

simple to use just dont use to much harderner just mix resin and harderner sand, bondo, paint but its probably gell coat (same as fiber glass except one exrtra step to get smooth)over plastic like a boat just get yourself a gell coat kit anf follow instructions on back.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by napalaz

simple to use just dont use to much harderner just mix resin and harderner sand, bondo, paint but its probably gell coat (same as fiber glass except one exrtra step to get smooth)over plastic like a boat just get yourself a gell coat kit anf follow instructions on back.

I was thinking of making the structural repair on the back side and then putting the gel coat on the top. Is that the way to do it?

[napalaz]

you got it but if your going to that just use bondo on outside

Originally Posted by scottyb

I was thinking of making the structural repair on the back side and then putting the gel coat on the top. Is that the way to do it?

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by napalaz

you got it but if your going to that just use bondo on outside

There are mumerous deep scratches on the whole cart. would you suggest bondo for these also or gel coat. I'm not familiar with gel coat. what are its properties as opposed to bondo? Is it flexible?

[napalaz]

just use bondo the gell coat can be color matched

[killsumptin]

For structural repairs use some fiberglass cloth on the back side. It comes in a variety of thicknesses. To fill deep scratches you can mix cabosil (shredded or powdered fiberglass material )with the resin. You'll know if you put too much hardner in. It will get very hot and harden too quickly.

Fiberglassing is not all that hard to do and infinitely stronger than bondo.

As with any bonding surface prep is the key. Get your surfaces as clean as possible then wipe with a solvent (acetone, alcohol, ect. ) until your wiping rag comes back clean.

Practice on a hidden area till you get your feet wet. Have some fun, and if you do mess up destroy any evidence that you ever tried!

[napalaz]

you still need to use bodyfiller on top of the cabosil to get smooth I think he will be good with cloth on back and fiber reinforced bondo in front sand and paint and your absolutely correct on prep work that is the trick oh yeah and alwayse use cheese cloth. I like using cabosil on a bunch of differeny stuff I made a tool box for my trailer out of wood and covered it in cabosil gave a very light sanding just to get rid of sharp edges painted black and it looks great.

Originally Posted by killsumptin

For structural repairs use some fiberglass cloth on the back side. It comes in a variety of thicknesses. To fill deep scratches you can mix cabosil (shredded or powdered fiberglass material )with the resin. You'll know if you put too much hardner in. It will get very hot and harden too quickly.

Fiberglassing is not all that hard to do and infinitely stronger than bondo.

As with any bonding surface prep is the key. Get your surfaces as clean as possible then wipe with a solvent (acetone, alcohol, ect. ) until your wiping rag comes back clean.

Practice on a hidden area till you get your feet wet. Have some fun, and if you do mess up destroy any evidence that you ever tried!

[scottyb]

Twisted Blade, what is cabosil and where do I get it? On the cowl I can reinforce behind and do cosmetic repair on the finished surface. On the rear I am going to make some repairs on the finished surface.

[napalaz]

if you are not going to make any structural repairs just use fiber reinforced bondo Cabosil is ground up shreded fiberglass that you use kinda like bondo but it leaves a ruff serfice thats why you need to sand and fill with puddy to get smooth bondo does the same. again I think you will be safe with bondo for the cosmetick stuff.

Originally Posted by scottyb

Twisted Blade, what is cabosil and where do I get it? On the cowl I can reinforce behind and do cosmetic repair on the finished surface. On the rear I am going to make some repairs on the finished surface.