Body Modification Questions

[ATOLightning]

OK, fisrt off...I'm not building a car to look like an original. More of a modern interpretation.


What I want to do is "french" my lights (headlights, signals, and tail lights). I use quotes because I don't want to sink in the lights into the body, but rather build up material "around" the lights. That way, it looks like they are sunk into the body, but realy it's the body that will be built up around the lights. The reason I'm going this way rather than sinking them in is because the tail light section has that flat face. I think it would be easier to build up over that instead of cutting it down and reshaping it.

So, my question is if I want to modifiy some pieces of the body what's the best practice? Would I need to remove the gel coat, build it up with 3M HSRF and then add a few layers of fiberglass mat or cloth?

I am a long ways from starting this effort, but I want to make sure I have everything in order first.

Thanks.

[Avalanche325]

Look up "Tangent" here and the other forum. IIRC, he has frenched headlights and other body mods.

[Gumball]

Until last week, all I knew about fiberglass work was what I've read on the forums and in books. After talking with a bunch of people, including a friend who owns a bodyshop, I jumped in and began my bodywork (see my bodywork thread for more info). What I can honestly say now, though, is that fiberglass is a very forgiving media to work in and allows the builder quite a bit of flexibility. That said, I'd stick to doing major modifications in 'glass and not rely on filler to make significant additions to the body. Even in successive thin layers, filler should still not be too thick as that can result in cracking or other failures down to road. Do it in 'glass the first time, use the fillers to smooth everything out around the modified area, and you will hopefully enjoy the work for years to come without issues.

[dallas_]

Michael,
Like Chris said, fiberglass is pretty easy to work with. We ended up doing several 'non-traditional' modifications on the body. I had no previous fiberglass experience but checked out some YouTube videos and went to West Marine to get the basic fiberglass materials. Based on what you are saying, it sounds like you would be better off using a 2 part fiberglass resin and some fiberglass matting. Clean the wax off completely with some fiberglass wax removal solution (boat shops have this) and something like Comet cleanser. AFTER cleaning it well, then scuff the gel coat. Read the directions on the fiberglass resin, mix it up, apply the matting then build up the area. Let cure then sand down to the shape you want. Then use filler only to blend in and fill minor voids.

Feel free to post up a thread and you should get comments from others who are willing to help.

John

[ATOLightning]

Michael,
Like Chris said, fiberglass is pretty easy to work with. We ended up doing several 'non-traditional' modifications on the body. I had no previous fiberglass experience but checked out some YouTube videos and went to West Marine to get the basic fiberglass materials. Based on what you are saying, it sounds like you would be better off using a 2 part fiberglass resin and some fiberglass matting. Clean the wax off completely with some fiberglass wax removal solution (boat shops have this) and something like Comet cleanser. AFTER cleaning it well, then scuff the gel coat. Read the directions on the fiberglass resin, mix it up, apply the matting then build up the area. Let cure then sand down to the shape you want. Then use filler only to blend in and fill minor voids.

Feel free to post up a thread and you should get comments from others who are willing to help.

John

That's sort of what I was thinking. Clean the gel coat well and just scuff it up.

Thanks everyone! I don't think any of the build-up areas will be more than 1/3 of an inch. It should be relatively easy going as it will be smoothed over in the final bodywork phases. I'll do some test pieces before I do the real thing.

[ATOLightning]

Look up "Tangent" here and the other forum. IIRC, he has frenched headlights and other body mods.

yep, the Tangent car is sort of my inspiration. Although, mine will be significantly different...something in between his and an original, I guess.