Any auto body folks here?

Western · May 14, 2008

I have an 07 Chevy 1 ton, I punched a hole in the wheel well behind the rear tires. The hole is pie shaped, about 2"-3" on the longest sides. Doubt you could fit a tennis ball through it.

Question: I have the piece, can I just place fiberglass cloth behind it and use resin to re-attach it from behind? I know it wouldn't be "like new" but it fits with hardly a hairline type space. Any other methods?
One guy at an auto parts store told me the resin may distort my flair??

Thanks.

MrJimi · May 14, 2008

Your problem sounds like an easy one but it's hard to tell you how to fix it without seeing the problem.
Grind both surfaces so the piece will fit good and fiberglas from both sides and it will harden quick. Get a pro to do it for you and it will not show at all

Western · May 14, 2008

Thanks for the quicl reply,

Pro wants $1800, (replace dually fender and paint) which means insurance claim.

Since this would be cosmetic, would just fiberglassing the back work? the piece fits perfectly now with hardly any sign of a crack.

MrJimi · May 14, 2008

Western said:
Thanks for the quicl reply,

Pro wants $1800, (replace dually fender and paint) which means insurance claim.

Since this would be cosmetic, would just fiberglassing the back work? the piece fits perfectly now with hardly any sign of a crack.

Your pro is a parts changer

and you can tell him I said this..
Go to a Corvette shop or a marine place or a fiberglas shop and get it repaired correctly and are you sure it's fiberglas? It could be plastic !
better luck this time

Western · May 14, 2008

Good point! I told my wife it looks like thick plastic!
As far as parts replacement, I 100% agree with you. It's a small hole, not a conversion, BUT he did offer to cover the deductable..aint he nice!!!

I just bought my wife an LS3 vette so trying not to file a claim at this moment since my insurance is so low. If I don't do it myself I think a shop could fix it for $300-500. Does that sound reasonable or wishfull?

Soundguy · May 14, 2008

Here's a tip from a guy that does 'tractor' body work when restoring his antiques.

Get a piece of flashing metal.. roof tin.. etc. Clean the back of the fender , then rough the back side up with a piece of 400 or similar sand paper.. brush clean.. use 4-minute jb weld epoxy, and slather the edges of the metakl patch that you have cut ( cut patch to be 1" larger all around the hole.. make sur ethe hole is neat and clean and does not dimple ).

Hole the patch on till it cures. Get a little 1-qt tub of bondo.. comes with a mixing tray and spatula, and a lil hardner.. mix some up, trowel in and then wipe clean over the good plastic so that the patched area is level with the parent material. If you mixed it correctly, it will harden within a minute or so.. same as the jb weld. sand smooth. if you have any air holes, re applt and sand.. or use glazing putty and sand. Finish sand with 1000 or 2000 paper. prime and paint. Might have to paint the entire fender to get it to match.. maybee not.. depends on the paint and how good you are at feathering.. and how well you masked the area off.. and how well you blended the primer.. and sanded down the edge once cured.

On new shiny looking paint.. i bet you could do this with a rattle can primer, and a rattle can of touch up paint.. the bondo , jb weld, and metal scrap in say.. an hour.. at the cost of about 14$ Plus the cost of the touch up paint can..

soundguy

Western · May 14, 2008

Thanks , that is what I need. That will get me a good temporary fix.

Here is a pic if it comes through. Nothing major but bugs the heck out of me.

Soundguy · May 14, 2008

Yep.. plastic. that's exactly wht I'd do.. patch it from the rear.. then bondo smooth.. hit it with 400/800/1000/2000 paper mask off and prime and paint.

soundguy

ray66v · May 14, 2008

The part you damaged is NOT made of fiberglass. It is a product called SMC. It has fiberglass fibers in it, but thats where the similarities end.

You want to use epoxy made to repair SMC, and some cloth on the backside only. Do not use fiberglass resin.

I can give you the entire process, if you are interested.

I spent 30 years fixing this stuff.

Western · May 15, 2008

Yes Ray, please do.

1. Can I do this at reasonable cost, compared to an insurance claim?
2. Are the supply's readily available?

I noticed, looking at the edges, that the material didn't seem to have the "fiber" look to it...glad I asked

Since it is SMC? maybe thats why the auto parts guy said it would melt it. don't know?

Thanks