FiberGlass Repair, can I use metal brace??

[ericcastro]

Hey Zilvians.
I searched, and read the stuff on fiberglass repair.
Still a little nervous about doing it, But i got no money to take it to Ozzie or anyone.

A speed bump caught my bumper and pulled it down, flexing my front over fender to the breaking point.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/LA004347.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/LA004350.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/LA004351.jpg

and cracked the bumper
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/LA004348.jpg

I understand I need to sand the fender with 60 grit. Clean real good, then use some resin, some cloth, ya know, follow instructions the repair kit will come with.

When I grabbed the fender, I realized its paper thin where it broke.
So some extra fiberglass will help out strength wise.

But Iwas wondering if its a no-no to put a small pieve of metal, like 1" by 10" along the fender lengthwise?

Hoping the metal will help dispurse any future pressure more evenly, not just at the part it broke at?

I also think i will reinforce the otherside with more fiberglass/metal too?

The bumper shouldnt be a issue?

What is the cure time?

any story's, or advice will help guys?
Or any SoCal guys that wanna help me do it later this week?
I shoot photos and can make a exchange if you need?


Also, the crappy front bumer is pulling it down. Does anyone have any custom bars welded under thier bumpers to hold them in place?
I have no front bumper support. (long story, previous owner, striped and ripped support holes).

Thanks guys,
Eric Castro

[JKim0901]

damn castro, when did you get a new kit?

[240love]

yea, i demand full pics

[[email protected]]

ya you can do it but i wouldnt say go ahead with it.
add resin to the outside section and then cut a square piece of fiber and place it behind the crack.
once dried sand down, use some filler to clean up the imperfections.
this is a quick fix, easily done in a day

[ZenkiMR_S]

reinforce the inside with a couple patches of fiberglass clothes and resin. then use bondo with fiberglass hair on the outside (they sell it at autozone or whatever). I'd repaired my front lip on my mr-s a couple of times. it's now super strong. haha. then just sand it down smoothing with sand paper and a sanding block.

[atutt]

I don't know if this trick works on fibreglass.
Drill a hole at the end of the cracks to prevent it from cracking any further. This should also help it from cracking in the future.

[[email protected]]

I don't know if this trick works on fibreglass.
Drill a hole at the end of the cracks to prevent it from cracking any further. This should also help it from cracking in the future.

yes its called a stop drill, process is used on crack in metals.
i never had to do this to fiberglass but it wouldnt hurt.

[ericcastro]

All of this is really good info guys.
Thanks.
I was also told the metal isnt needed.
Kits are made out of crap, and the repair cloth is even stronger than the original stuff.

Im stoked now.
Im gonna do both sides and make em both stronger.

Not so worried about the outside being perfect. Just smooth enough, it will be sparkle vinyled.

[wow-thats-a-cool-car]

castro hit me up ill make some braces for you. But you have to come down to torrance. Call me and we can work it out. If I take it to school I can do it for free so maybe like you can come down one nite and ill fix it up for you.

[whatda]

damn and i saw your car last Friday with the clean bumper and fender

[ericcastro]

So Fiberglass is awsome!!!
The cheap kits are made with fiber chop (?). Its like sawdust and bondo, but its fiber shredded and something else.
Cheap!
The spot were it cracked was paper thin too.

So I went to S13 Teddys house and pulled the fenders and front bumper.
I put numerous layers of woven fiberglass behind the crack and on the other ender as well.
Also put some on the cracked front bumper.
And on the part of the bumper that gets zip tied to the fender.
So I feel alot better about the strength of my kit.
I also feel like If I break it, I can fix it and make it even stronger.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/castro_castro/LA004360.jpg
I didnt sand it down yet.
Not to worried.
Gonna put vinyl over the car anyways :)

[atutt]

yes its called a stop drill, process is used on crack in metals.
i never had to do this to fiberglass but it wouldnt hurt.

Yeah, that's how I got the idea. I've only had to do it a few times myself.

I've never done this in fibreglass either.

[[email protected]]

good stuff, i would still put some filler to it before doing the vinyl......