Topic: 73 Body Work
in Forum: C3 Body
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Former Member
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Lisle, IL - USA
Joined: 6/18/2002
Posts: 125
Vette(s): 1973 coupe Under Construction
I am in the middle of doing body work on my '73 coupe. I did not have a front bumper and decided to buy the hard fiberglas version from Ecklers. I also decided that I want to fill the seam between the bumper and body panel.
- My plan was to get the bumper aligned the way I like,
- Drill holes for fasteners the same way it was attached originally
- Bond the bumper to the front clip using an aerospace adhesive I have laying around and hold it with bolts in the holes I drilled previously.
- Sand down on either side of the seam and go over the seam with a layer of glass mat.
- Feather in the seam with filler, prime, paint, etc.
What do you guys think?
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Sounds like a winner to me...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
sounds like it will be very nice when you are done. Can't wait to see it.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
Do you think the seam will develop cracks over time. Should there be additional bolts between the bumper and the clip to reduce the distance between bolts? Or will the adhesive be good enough?
Just wondering.
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Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
I vote NO to the aerospace adhesive. Why, you might ask???? Well, because I when I brought Tux back from the dead it was suggested that I do this.
I listened like a dumba$$ and my nice glass front bumper keeps developing stress cracks in the corner seems. (I have repaired it twice now...) My rear bumper just now is wanting to do the same.... Bulllshirt
If Mr. Tux is still sleepin in my garage this winter then those bumpers get sanded down and glassed in right. Don't listen to those glue guyz.... My .02 is that they have inhaled to much of their own product.
Sad part is laying glass on these seams and feathering it out is relatively easy. dammit...
Do it like the shirt says.... Wrap your A$$ in fiberglass. Sand...Prep... Apply Resin... Lay down matt... A lil more Resin... Sand... Fill.... Sand... Primer... Base Coat... Clear Coat... Buff.... there now that wasn't too bad for blended bumpers now was it???
Tuxblacray 2007-09-18 16:17:59
I listened like a dumba$$ and my nice glass front bumper keeps developing stress cracks in the corner seems. (I have repaired it twice now...) My rear bumper just now is wanting to do the same.... Bulllshirt
If Mr. Tux is still sleepin in my garage this winter then those bumpers get sanded down and glassed in right. Don't listen to those glue guyz.... My .02 is that they have inhaled to much of their own product.
Sad part is laying glass on these seams and feathering it out is relatively easy. dammit...
Do it like the shirt says.... Wrap your A$$ in fiberglass. Sand...Prep... Apply Resin... Lay down matt... A lil more Resin... Sand... Fill.... Sand... Primer... Base Coat... Clear Coat... Buff.... there now that wasn't too bad for blended bumpers now was it???
Former Member
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Lisle, IL - USA
Joined: 6/18/2002
Posts: 125
Vette(s): 1973 coupe Under Construction
Yeah Tux,
I dont trust the adhesive on its own either, I was going to go over the seam with some glass mat as well to keep it from developing cracks over time.
I am doing a similar thing in the back with the filler panel that goes between the exhaust exits. I bonded the piece in with an adhesive to hold it, and then made a fiberglass bonding strip on the backside.
I havent decided whether to just fill the gap with resing and glass bead or put another layer over the outside of the seam.
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
[QUOTE=decrepid13] Yeah Tux,
I dont trust the adhesive on its own either, I was going to go over the seam with some glass mat as well to keep it from developing cracks over time.
Good for you Matt, I feel better! Do the glass work like it is supposed to be done. I don't believe you will gain a thing from using the adhesive.
I dont trust the adhesive on its own either, I was going to go over the seam with some glass mat as well to keep it from developing cracks over time.
I am doing a similar thing in the back with the filler panel that goes between the exhaust exits. I bonded the piece in with an adhesive to hold it, and then made a fiberglass bonding strip on the backside.
I havent decided whether to just fill the gap with resing and glass bead or put another layer over the outside of the seam.
[/QUOTE]
Good for you Matt, I feel better! Do the glass work like it is supposed to be done. I don't believe you will gain a thing from using the adhesive.
in Forum: C3 Body
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