Novice bodywork question

[Cudajeff]

Hey guys I’m starting on the bodywork on the ‘33 and as I’m sanding down the seams on the roof I’m finding what I can only describe as a soft clay like substance encapsulated in the seems. I assume it’s a bonding agent of some kind that FF uses to adhere the panels. I assume you guys are going to tell me that I need to get all that crap out before I apply a filler. My question is can I expose this unknown substance and let it sit for a while (days/weeks) and hope it dries, can I fill over it (sealing it under the filler) or do I spend god knows how many hours cleaning it out by whatever means necessary? I’m a novice when it comes to fiberglass work and some advice would be appreciated. Thanks189967189968

[Jeff Kleiner]

It is clay which is used to plug voids in the mold parting lines and must be removed.

Jeff

[Cudajeff]

Thank you sir. I’ll grab the Dremel a wire brush and get to work.

[GoDadGo]

Since you are doing your own bodywork, hopefully these videos may help.

Parting Line Removal:
https://youtu.be/_3sLamdkIFg

Parting Line Smoothing:
https://youtu.be/meBYeI96_A8

The Bodywork Begins:
https://youtu.be/6QXWP5H8mT0

The Bodywork Continues:
https://youtu.be/6UK6K2jcwTU

The Bodywork Is Done:
https://youtu.be/po1Bb2_XDDk

Undercoat / Raptor Bed Liner:
https://youtu.be/FVMCA4_UZHU

Reassembly:
https://youtu.be/ELFJDOVKb4g

Graduation, Minus Wiper Install:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

1. My big takeaway is knowing when I had run out of talent and needed to bring in professional help.
2. My 2nd big takeaway was putting on way more filler than I needed and sanding it back in an X-Pattern.
3. My final takeaway was to listen to Jeff Kleiner & take his advice because he really, really, really knows his stuff.

Good Luck!

[JimLev]

And before you get any paint on the roof make sure the front and rear glass fit the openings.
I had to enlarge both of mine to get the glass to fit.

[33fromSD]

I actually really enjoyed working with fiberglass and learning the process. I found it a lot more forgiving then doing metal work, meaning if you screw up just mix up some resin, lay some glass, let it cure and sand / finish. It's definitely a lot messier than metal (lots of dust) but that would be the only negative comment I have about it.

I still like metal work too, but I'm glad the 33 build gave me the experience on fiberglass. I've done a few fiberglass projects since then (built a fiberglass glove box for my 55 F100, did a fountain repair for my wife's flower garden, repaired a bumper on my son's Mitsubishi Lancer, etc.).

Jim