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Fixing Fiberglass

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Oct 3, 2005.

  1. Oct 3, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,585
    What is the best wayto fix fibrglass cracks and breaks? I am contemplating patching my fenders up. Should i just resin up the crack and sand it down, or do i have to use cloth? With cloth it seems like i would jsut sand it all away since it is pretty much cracks and some ripping of the fiberglass. What sayeth Y'all??
     
    DanStew, Oct 3, 2005
    #1
  2. Oct 3, 2005
    vanguard

    vanguard

    If your painting them, I say just go with resin and maybe chop up some cloth to mix in with them. Another alternative is SolaRes UV cure resin - http://solarez.com/products.html

    Stuff is cheap and easy to work with. I've used it on my surfboards, but not the Jeep though. :D
     
    vanguard, Oct 3, 2005
    #2
  3. Oct 3, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    6,197
    Hairline cracks or worse?

    I've fixed hairline cracks by grinding them into a "V" then using bondo. More than that and I had a boat repair guy do it.
     
    Boyink, Oct 3, 2005
    #3
  4. Oct 3, 2005
    Hansh

    Hansh Going Mobile

    SE Wisconsin
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    Dec 7, 2004
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    425
    Use fiberglass cloth on the back side first,, include a small flat stick to help reinforce the crack. Use something like a paint stirring stick and cut down to size. Once the back is fixed, fix the front with glass first and then bondo.
     
    Hansh, Oct 3, 2005
    #4
  5. Oct 3, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    I've always used aluminum plate on the backside, with countersunk pop rivets to add stability. Then I'd grind out the crack in a "V" as mentioned, and also drill out the end of the crack to stop the tear just like in a casting. Fill with resin or tiger-hair. Duraglas makes a nice mid-coat, with a nice two-part finishing putty for the sand scratches.
     
    w3srl, Oct 3, 2005
    #5
  6. Oct 3, 2005
    wingtime

    wingtime Member

    Clearwater FL
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    Mar 20, 2003
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    143
    Cracks should be ground out to a V shape and repaired with a quality epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth.
     
    wingtime, Oct 3, 2005
    #6
  7. Oct 3, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    its a little more than cracks ;) It is not going to be perfect and pretty much the trail will do it again. just looknig to keep them together so they do not flap in the wind
     
    DanStew, Oct 3, 2005
    #7
  8. Oct 4, 2005
    jflots

    jflots Member

    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    Sep 30, 2005
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    Cut the V as wide as you can to get better adhesion, more surface area. Lay in a layer or 2 of cloth to tape it together then fill what's left with thickened epoxy. Epoxy resin has much better adhesion than polyester. I patched our whaler's hull after the drunk docter ran into it in the driveway. It went easy enough. Thicken the epoxy with something that has some structure to it, fibers.
     
    jflots, Oct 4, 2005
    #8
  9. Oct 4, 2005
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    Aug 20, 2003
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    605
    I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned cutting a "V" shape but.... ;)

    reiforcement cloth and resin I would also lightly grind down the back side and adhere a layer of cloth and resin for extra reinforcement.
     
    michigan_pinstripes, Oct 4, 2005
    #9
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