Help 2005 MK3 kit Fiberglass Body broken I half

[Luka]

Hi,
Im new to all this stuff ..(car building) I purchased someone abandoned project.It is 2005 purchase from Factory Five. Question is the body is broken I half and I need help with what kind of material to use to properly repair it.
Thank you

[mrmustang]

Hi,
Im new to all this stuff ..(car building) I purchased someone abandoned project.It is 2005 purchase from Factory Five. Question is the body is broken I half and I need help with what kind of material to use to properly repair it.
Thank you


Post pictures of the rest of the body, a wider shot is what I suggest.

Bill S.

[michael everson]

I would put as many layers of fiberglass cloth and resin as you can on the back side. Start with narrow strips and get progressively wider. There is nothing in that area that will interfere with thick fiberglass. I would get the crack back to its original position as close as you can. Maybe even drill some holes on either side and pull it together with wire or other suitable stuff. after the back is fixed, grind down the front tapering into the crack and put a few layers of cloth ther too. I am no body guy though. I fixed a few like this and once it was done you would never know.
Mike

[Luka]

Post pictures of the rest of the body, a wider shot is what I suggest.

Bill S.

I hope this is better.
Thank you

[Luka]

Thank you

[Jeff Kleiner]

Glass mat and Vinylester resin as Mike Everson suggested. You may not be aware but you need to use a brace across the cockpit when picking the body up so that this does not happen (this is especially true with Mk3 and earlier bodies).

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=167118&d=1653230978

Jeff

167118

[mrmustang]

I would put as many layers of fiberglass cloth and resin as you can on the back side. Start with narrow strips and get progressively wider. There is nothing in that area that will interfere with thick fiberglass. I would get the crack back to its original position as close as you can. Maybe even drill some holes on either side and pull it together with wire or other suitable stuff. after the back is fixed, grind down the front tapering into the crack and put a few layers of cloth ther too. I am no body guy though. I fixed a few like this and once it was done you would never know.
Mike

Mike pretty much laid out what you need to do, however, once you can get the two broken pieces to join themselves back together, I recommend a slow set two part, automotive grade poly-resin to be spread around both pieces before they are permanently joined back together. If you do not bond both pieces internally at the break back together, they will be the weak point forever, and eventually, you'll see the crack appear again. It may be months, even a year or two down the road, but it will happen. Might as well do it right the first time, and never worry about it again.

Bill S.

PS: Something along this, which I have used on damaged hull cracks and repairs.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40071937/

[Luka]

Thank you guys, this is a big help.I will post back repair pictures.

[ej95Cobra]

Tracking with mrmustang above, I found some great video's and suggestions googling "fiberglass boat repair" when I had a long crack in same spot. A lot of how to and product info/reviews. I was able to find the resins and glass mat at a large boating supply store in the area.