Opinions on fiberglassing a Shelby trunk lid

[JC6715]

I have more time than money and I'm considering trying to make my own shelby type trunk lid with spoiler. I'm thinking about molding a spoiler onto my stock trunk lid. I am smoking crack or do you think it's possible I could pull it off and make it look good.

Anybody ever try or consider doing this? Those dang trunk lids are so freakin expensive and I am semi competant with fiberglass (making seat pans for choppers)...

Just looking for some feedback... Thanks guys.

Car info... '67 Coupe in need of bodywork and paint... BAD.

 

[krash kendall]

I think you will have to make a bolt on style, as I don't think the fibreglass will permanently bond to the steel. Make a plywood rectangular mold and fill with a little bit of "A" and a little bit of "B" for a dense foam block then shave away anything that doesn't look like a shelby spoiler. Glass over what's left.

 

[MDinDestin]

I think you will have to make a bolt on style, as I don't think the fibreglass will permanently bond to the steel. Make a plywood rectangular mold and fill with a little bit of "A" and a little bit of "B" for a dense foam block then shave away anything that doesn't look like a shelby spoiler. Glass over what's left.

You got that right. I had the best bodyman in Northwest Florida attempt it and the fiberglass eventually separated from the stock trunk lid.

This was his idea because the repro shelby lid was so low quality he was unhappy with it. He cut the shelby kick and molded it in.

 

[0to100to0]

i molded a body kit on to my honda prelude and it hasn't cracked yet (and i'm not really expecting it to). the only thing you have to worry about is the wind resistance on the spoiler, and how much it will vibrate. with my body kit, i welded metal brackets on and rivited the fiberglass parts on. then to cover the seams, i used duraglass....it's like bondo, but it's reinforced with fiberglass fibers, and is a bitch to sand.
anyway, i've always kept the car garaged and i've heard that it is not as likely to last if it is kept outside because temperature changes can make it separate.
good luck

matt

 

[chepsk8]

I agree with the others, and it's what I did years ago. Buy the set from a good Vendor. Contact Jay here at Mustang Depot in Vegas. He has what you need.

 

[JC6715]

Thanks for the ideas guys, I appreciate it!

 

[spirockp]

JC6715, so what did you decide?

Funny, I just purchased a 2 inch Cowl Scoop that I was going to glass into my hood because the last owner cut a hole into it, but because I have more money than time I was just thinking of spending the $500 and get a new hood.

 

[JC6715]

I am still leaning towards trying it myself. If it doesn't work, I'm not out too much...

spirockp - What are you going to do with the cowl then? How much did it cost you?

 

[spirockp]

JC6715, check your PM's. I mean your email.

 

[MDinDestin]

to cover the seams, i used duraglass....it's like bondo, but it's reinforced with fiberglass fibers, and is a bitch to sand.
anyway, i've always kept the car garaged and i've heard that it is not as likely to last if it is kept outside because temperature changes can make it separate.
good luck

matt

My paint and body man used duraglass as well, but it cracked. I kept my car outside most of the time in humid Florida so you may be on to something.

 

[mdjay]

Have you guys considered Norton Speed Grip?

It's a bonding adhesive that remains somewhat flexible and you can sand and feather it. It's designed specifically for what you are considering.

 

[JC6715]

Never heard of the stuff, any idea where to get it? Thanks man.

 

[mdjay]

http://www.nortonabrasives.com/

800-456-8444

I don't think they sell direct but they can get you someone in your area...

 

[rbohm]

there are ways to keep bondo from cracking, even in high humidity environments. the problem usually comes in when the body filler is allowed to absorb moisture in the air before using a primer sealer to seal the bondo. also many people(including the pro's) make the mistake of applying bondo over bare metal, rather than metal that has the right primer over it. bondo adheres to primer much better than metal.

as far as making your own spoiler, go for it. there are two ways to go, both will work.

1: build the spoiler on the car. body work and prime the metal, then lay your fiberglass over the primer.

2: make a mold of the spoiler you want, make the spoiler in the mold, then bond the finished product to the truck lid. in this case there are adhesives that will make this process easy.

spirockp, bond the scoop to the hood. if you have any qualms about the adhesive holding, you can back that up with pop rivits and cover them with body filler. again over primer.