Star Drive

After not being able to drive my 93 coupe for a couple weeks I finally got the distributor swapped and back on the road. But then I made a mistake driving like I had never driven a rear wheel drive before. Now I have torn up my driver side pretty bad and need patch it up. Any recommendations for working fiberglass? Are there specific products I should use with my vehicle in terms of resin or fibers? Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I also probably need some driving instruction but that's another topic.

Kmcoldcars

You need fiberglass and the resin should be for SMC, which is a bit different from the standard fiberglass resin. It all works just like fiberglass repair, messy and itchy.

65Z01

You can buy Bondo with "hair" to patch damage into the shell.
For minor damage I use regular Bondo.

Fiberbundle

The first thing is define “ torn up pretty bad”. Damage through the panel? Cracks? Just scuffed through the gel coat? Ripped with glass fibers showing?
Anything that is of sufficient damage where the integrity of the panel may be compromised will require significant sanding, beveling and rebuilding with layers of fiberglass and resin for SMC panels. Just make sure you use resin specifically for SMC panels. Often local boat supply stores will have what you need for lower prices and smaller quantities if that is all that is needed. Most new boats are also SMC (sheet molded composite) panel rather than the old fiberglass of earlier boats and corvettes.
Also check the paint and body section of this forum. A lot of knowledgeable body guys have posted on there so searching that section should help.

Star Drive

Fibers are showing in several places. The door panel seems pretty rough but I suspect the body panel will be even more challenging to repair. I expect some cutting and sanding will be involved. Thanks for the info.

Fiberbundle

You will need to access the back side of those panels if it is as bad as you are saying to build up layers of fiberglass and resin. That is why the insurance companies total them when they seem to have repairable body damage. Just too costly to repair. Doing it yourself makes it reasonable but plan on a lot of time to complete all of the work that will be needed.

vette196

I had a quarter sized hole from a doofus who jacked it up wrong. Here is what I got
Someone recommended a smc product(marine application??), but it was $70, seems like alot to fix a small hole.

zr1fred

^^^ Very Important! Its not "fiberglass" its SMC. Only use SMC compatible products!

65Z01

Yep, that's the one I used on the right front fender damage that really got into the fibers; got it at a local shop.

fake

Take it to a body shop or glue a Trump sign to that side.