C3 body repair...help!
#1
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St. Jude Donor '07
C3 body repair...help!
Even after reading various threads on the subject, I'm still confused.
I need to make some repairs on my 77. None of these will be on exterior painted surfaces - all on underlying areas of SMC fiberglas. There are two types of problems I need to fix:
1) cracks and missing sections
2) separation from underlying body structures.
For the cracks and holes, I obviously need to use fiberglas mat and an SMC-compatible resin. What kind of resin should I get? Evercoat (which is what my local body supply carries) has an epoxy resin and an SMC resin. Which one works better? Should I look for a shop that carries a different brand of materials? I know that the older polyester resin isn't compatible with the 77 materials.
For the areas of separation, what is a good bonding agent? I only have to re-bond about 8" of one fender along the door opening, and about 4"-6" at the bottom of one door. Would regular epoxy be appropriate, or is there a specific bonding agent that would work better? If I need to get something specific to automotive use, what can I get in a small quantity at a reasonable price?
I need to make some repairs on my 77. None of these will be on exterior painted surfaces - all on underlying areas of SMC fiberglas. There are two types of problems I need to fix:
1) cracks and missing sections
2) separation from underlying body structures.
For the cracks and holes, I obviously need to use fiberglas mat and an SMC-compatible resin. What kind of resin should I get? Evercoat (which is what my local body supply carries) has an epoxy resin and an SMC resin. Which one works better? Should I look for a shop that carries a different brand of materials? I know that the older polyester resin isn't compatible with the 77 materials.
For the areas of separation, what is a good bonding agent? I only have to re-bond about 8" of one fender along the door opening, and about 4"-6" at the bottom of one door. Would regular epoxy be appropriate, or is there a specific bonding agent that would work better? If I need to get something specific to automotive use, what can I get in a small quantity at a reasonable price?
#2
Check out (glas-ra.com) they have an excellent repair guides
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.
Last edited by SMYDA; 05-27-2007 at 11:19 PM.
#3
Burning Brakes
First, SMC was not introduced until 1982 and then it was only
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.
SMC (sheet molded compound) is repaired differently than the
fiberglass used on the older cars.
Check out (glas-ra.com) they have an excellent repair guides
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.
SMC (sheet molded compound) is repaired differently than the
fiberglass used on the older cars.
Check out (glas-ra.com) they have an excellent repair guides
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.
On the 77, I would use the Evercoat resin with the matting.
#4
Melting Slicks
I had the same question concerning the body panels on my 77 also. I decided to call Zip to find out what is the correct repair materials to use. This is what they told me to use:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
They told me that the repair materials for SMC are for 82 and newer cars.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
They told me that the repair materials for SMC are for 82 and newer cars.
#5
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Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Springfield MO
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St. Jude Donor '07
First, SMC was not introduced until 1982 and then it was only
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.
SMC (sheet molded compound) is repaired differently than the
fiberglass used on the older cars.
Check out (glas-ra.com) they have an excellent repair guides
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.
SMC (sheet molded compound) is repaired differently than the
fiberglass used on the older cars.
Check out (glas-ra.com) they have an excellent repair guides
that will explain the repairs you want to make in more detail.
A Must Have item.
#6
Team Owner
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Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Springfield MO
Posts: 23,831
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St. Jude Donor '07
Which resin? The SMC resin or the epoxy resin? I'm leaning towards having the local paint shop order a small container of the epoxy.
However, that still leaves the second question - what should I get to re-bond the lower portion of the fender and the corner of the door to the underlying structure?
However, that still leaves the second question - what should I get to re-bond the lower portion of the fender and the corner of the door to the underlying structure?
#7
Racer
Do a lot of research, information all over on this, just don't take what Zip tells you to the bank, the same company told me when I was seeking a part for my seats, that in 68 they did not offer headrest, needless to say I immediately looked elsewhere.
I had the same question concerning the body panels on my 77 also. I decided to call Zip to find out what is the correct repair materials to use. This is what they told me to use:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
They told me that the repair materials for SMC are for 82 and newer cars.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...E0C55EE2A33DF4
They told me that the repair materials for SMC are for 82 and newer cars.
#8
Melting Slicks
I didn't say whether I thought they were right or not, I'm just passing along what they told me. I am continuing to research for the correct answer, as I am still confused as ever as to which is the right stuff to use.
#10
Burning Brakes
#12
Burning Brakes
The later SMC compounds can't be repaired with regular fiberglass products
Duramix, SEM, 3M, or Fuzor dual cartridge repair systems should be used.
Epoxy primer helps with adhesion between the different products and should be used before polyester fillers and putties.
Last edited by roger55; 05-09-2007 at 09:15 PM. Reason: Addition
#13
Racer
Didn't say you did, just giving you a heads up in case you decide to use the info they gave you, go to
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/ or
http://www.autobodystore.com/
a lot of pros hang out there and you will get the answers you need
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/ or
http://www.autobodystore.com/
a lot of pros hang out there and you will get the answers you need
#14
Melting Slicks
Didn't say you did, just giving you a heads up in case you decide to use the info they gave you, go to
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/ or
http://www.autobodystore.com/
a lot of pros hang out there and you will get the answers you need
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/ or
http://www.autobodystore.com/
a lot of pros hang out there and you will get the answers you need
#15
Only my opinion. I do not have a experience with all the different products. But with all of the advice I have gotten from the forum I chose the Evercoat SMC resin and matte. My car is a 1974, I was really happy with the product, easy to use and it is rock hard and solid. I am also planning as Roger stated using the epoxy primer as a base and then polyester filler over the epoxy. Good luck
#16
Melting Slicks
Roger, I was wondering why you would not recommend FE SMC resin for later models. I know the dual cartridge products are very good but I believe the SMC resin would also work very well on late model SMC.
Craig
#17
"Georgia1974" enlightened me on this in another thread.
Need to visit more often.
Learn something new everyday.
I've worked on a lot of Vettes over the years funny thing
is they were '84s and up or '72s on back. Haven't messed
with a C3 from '73 to '82 except for some real minor stuff.
And the last C3 was over 15 years ago...............till now,
I just bought an '81 I going to redo for myself.
How I missed all this beats me.
I have a repair manual from ECKLER'S I bought in '91.
When I did the last C3 a '72 coupe.
Had to go dig it up.........................
In it, it states using the same resin for all cars from
'63 through '82 and says that only replacement panels
were made of SMC in later years. I also noticed on their
web site that they don't offer this book any more.
And now they also note a difference in their resins.
Before they recommended #10708 or equivalent for all C3s.
Times have changed..........
Need to visit more often.
Learn something new everyday.
I've worked on a lot of Vettes over the years funny thing
is they were '84s and up or '72s on back. Haven't messed
with a C3 from '73 to '82 except for some real minor stuff.
And the last C3 was over 15 years ago...............till now,
I just bought an '81 I going to redo for myself.
How I missed all this beats me.
I have a repair manual from ECKLER'S I bought in '91.
When I did the last C3 a '72 coupe.
Had to go dig it up.........................
In it, it states using the same resin for all cars from
'63 through '82 and says that only replacement panels
were made of SMC in later years. I also noticed on their
web site that they don't offer this book any more.
And now they also note a difference in their resins.
Before they recommended #10708 or equivalent for all C3s.
Times have changed..........
#19
Originally Posted by SMYDA
First, SMC was not introduced until 1982 and then it was only
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.
Just an item of interest and to show I'm not totally crazy.
The above statement IS true, but let me explain.
Just a few details are missing.:o
I was looking through some old VETTE magazines
the other day and there it was.......an article written in the May '82
issue. It talks about the Budd Company that was developing the
new SMC glass and that it was first used in the rear quarters of the
'82 corvette and would be more extensively used in the new C4 model.
This is referring to the newer SMC and NOT SMC in general.
If anyone has old issues of VETTE magazine and
wants to look it up it's the May 1982 issue page 16.
First, SMC was not introduced until 1982 and then it was only
in the rear quarters. The 84 models were made entirely of SMC.
Just an item of interest and to show I'm not totally crazy.
The above statement IS true, but let me explain.
Just a few details are missing.:o
I was looking through some old VETTE magazines
the other day and there it was.......an article written in the May '82
issue. It talks about the Budd Company that was developing the
new SMC glass and that it was first used in the rear quarters of the
'82 corvette and would be more extensively used in the new C4 model.
This is referring to the newer SMC and NOT SMC in general.
If anyone has old issues of VETTE magazine and
wants to look it up it's the May 1982 issue page 16.