First Time With SMC. Advise Needed Please.

Kubs · 09-24-2009, 11:29 AM

I am going to be putting a hood scoop and fender flares on my '90 C4 soon, and would like some advise about what materials to use. Can I use fiberglass matte and some sort of SMC resin? Or is there something better? Can I lay it like fiberglass or is the process different?

The scoop I want to use is the L88 style and I want it to be functional so I will cut the factory hood and lay the scoop on top. There was a thread a while back with a silver C4 that had the L88 scoop added but I cannot seem to find it.

Any help would be great, thanks!

0grandmastercorvette · 09-24-2009, 07:55 PM

Kubs,
I would appreicate it if you can post a photo of teh hood scoop and flares.

Bonding/laminating parts to your hood are sometimes tricky due to the flexing that the hood has in it. It can be done...but I need to see what it looks like and if you can describe the amount of hood that you are going to remove once it is in place. You have to be careful that you do not cut ANY of the inner structure or you may greatly weaken the integrity of the hood and have another problem.

Willing to help but need some more information about this.

On another note: Hello fellow Buckeye...I am originally from Avon Lake. Have family all around the area..Lakewood, Parma, Mayfield Heights, Rocky River, Euclid and others. Small world ...isn't it.
"DUB"

rayluka · 09-24-2009, 08:47 PM

Keep in mind if the differences in the SMC . Be certain to use a compatible "donor" I don't remember the exact year changes but the panel material differed (types of SMC) in the later years, Im sure DUB can advise accurately . Just something to be aware of.

Kubs · 09-24-2009, 10:31 PM

I want to do what this person did:

The hood will be functional with the middle section removed for the air cleaner to stick up.

The flares are going to be hand made. The tires/wheels stick out past the fender lip by about 1/2" so I want to cut the factory lip off, move it out 1/2" and glass in between the lip and the body.

markids77 · 09-24-2009, 11:22 PM

Well, don't do it exactly as shown in the sample pics... It appears the customizer did not even remove the paint from the perimeter of the scoop's footprint prior to bonding it. The finished hood looks nice for now... there will be pain later for certain as it cracks and delaminates.

Kubs · 09-25-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markids77

Well, don't do it exactly as shown in the sample pics... It appears the customizer did not even remove the paint from the perimeter of the scoop's footprint prior to bonding it. The finished hood looks nice for now... there will be pain later for certain as it cracks and delaminates.

I know. That was just to show the scoop I want to use. I have done regular fiberglass work before but not SMC. My question is what materials should I use and is the process similar to fiberglass?

79vetter · 09-25-2009, 06:33 PM

Epoxy Resin and Mat is proper for SMC.

Kubs · 09-25-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79vetter

Epoxy Resin and Mat is proper for SMC.

I assume the epoxy resin takes place of the fiberglass resin? Can I use fiberglass mat or is there an SMC mat I should use? Is there a better name brand I should use over another?

0grandmastercorvette · 09-25-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubs

I assume the epoxy resin takes place of the fiberglass resin? Can I use fiberglass mat or is there an SMC mat I should use? Is there a better name brand I should use over another?

Kubs,
Yes you can use fiberglass mat.
I use WEST SYSTEMS epoxy resin and hardener...which should be easy to find up in Cleveland. WEST MARINE down here sells it..and it is what I use for this type of repair and also use it doing carbon fiber repair on nitro funny car bodies. GOOD STUFF.

I saw the photo's you posted and it would be in your best interest that you modify the hood scoop before you plan on laminating it to the hood. The gaps are quite wide and will make it hard to get a air free lamination. I personally would grind where Icould and add on to the scoop with polyester resin and mat to get the scoop to fit tighter....so when I went to laminate the scoop to the hood ...the seam would be tight.

I guess that there is NO flange on the bottom edge of this scoop....right? If ther were..you could bond the scoop to the hood and then cut back that bonding adhesive and then apply your epoxy resin and matt.

Just try not to cut an opening in the hood alrger than what youo actually need....for strength reasons...so your scoop doesn't crack in the future. You will also might consider taking good care when opening and closing the hood when completed. Don't slam it down...but that is up to you. Your hood has alot of flex in it right now...before any cutting and modifying...and with this flex..it could cause for cracks if you are not careful with it.
"DUB"

Kubs · 09-28-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandmastercorvette

Kubs,
Yes you can use fiberglass mat.
I use WEST SYSTEMS epoxy resin and hardener...which should be easy to find up in Cleveland. WEST MARINE down here sells it..and it is what I use for this type of repair and also use it doing carbon fiber repair on nitro funny car bodies. GOOD STUFF.

I saw the photo's you posted and it would be in your best interest that you modify the hood scoop before you plan on laminating it to the hood. The gaps are quite wide and will make it hard to get a air free lamination. I personally would grind where Icould and add on to the scoop with polyester resin and mat to get the scoop to fit tighter....so when I went to laminate the scoop to the hood ...the seam would be tight.

I guess that there is NO flange on the bottom edge of this scoop....right? If ther were..you could bond the scoop to the hood and then cut back that bonding adhesive and then apply your epoxy resin and matt.

Just try not to cut an opening in the hood alrger than what youo actually need....for strength reasons...so your scoop doesn't crack in the future. You will also might consider taking good care when opening and closing the hood when completed. Don't slam it down...but that is up to you. Your hood has alot of flex in it right now...before any cutting and modifying...and with this flex..it could cause for cracks if you are not careful with it.
"DUB"

Thanks for the advise. I was planning on trimming it to the car before bonding it because I have heard this scoop does not fit the greatest at first. So, you are suggesting ADDING to the scoop to fill gaps as apposed to just trimming it? I do not know if there is a flange or not. I do not have the scoop yet.

I was not planing on cutting more than I needed anyway, but its good to hear it. I too have heard these hoods flex a lot and I do not want to have to do this project again.

I will post more questions as needed.

0grandmastercorvette · 09-28-2009, 07:09 PM

Add or grind to fit. Either way. The part will "tell" you what it needs so your gap is not that wide when you are trying to laminate.
"DUB"