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Repairing Plastic Hatch Panels

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aaron
  • Start date Start date Jun 13, 2015

Aaron

20+ Year Stangneter
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Jun 13, 2015
#1
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #1
Hi, it's been a long time since I have posted anything in here. Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has successfully reconditioned the rear interior plastic hatch panels that make up the walls of the hatch area. My panels have some gauges in them, and I am wondering what the best method is to repair them. I've debated on sanding them down and painting over, filling them (not sure what to use on plastic panels) and sanding the filler down, etc. I am probably going to be selling my '87 GT with T-Tops and am trying to clean up any lose ends before I post it.

Any ideas?
 

Grabbin' Asphalt

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#2
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #2
Few pics of these gauges in the hatch??
 

jrichker

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#3
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #3
Try flexible body filler. For large holes, use some aluminum backed tape to support the body filler until it sets up and hardens.

See Google for products and ideas on what works best
flexible body filler - Google Search
 
Last edited: Jun 13, 2015
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CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
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#4
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #4
Grabbin' Asphalt said:
Few pics of these gauges in the hatch??
Click to expand...
Me too. I'd like to know what kind of guages were installed behind the driver.

As to the repair, you can take a piece of plastic window screen and use it as a backer, and smear it w/ a coat of bonding.

But,..

You'll never get it to match the surrounding texture of the panel, and I'd imagine it will be pretty obvious.
 
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Grabbin' Asphalt

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#5
  • Jun 13, 2015
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Lol... so bottom line, try eBay or Craiglist for your replacements.

Hatch gauges, ....really??? ....we need pics of these Please!!!!
 

02 281 GT

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#6
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #6
I'm all but certain he meant gouges.

@95steedamustang has posted up some good examples of plastic panel repair in his Cobra build thread.
 
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Aaron

20+ Year Stangneter
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#7
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #7
Sorry guys - gouges, not gauges. Here's what I'm talking about:

 
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Aaron

20+ Year Stangneter
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#8
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #8
jrichker - Thanks! You've helped me out more than a few times over the past 10 years it seems. You are the man!
 

Shakerhood

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#9
  • Jun 13, 2015
  • #9
After you repair the gouges, you can use SEM 39853 Texture Coating before a topcoat of paint.
 
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Aaron

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Jun 14, 2015
#10
  • Jun 14, 2015
  • #10
Shakerhood said:
After you repair the gouges, you can use SEM 39853 Texture Coating before a topcoat of paint.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! I was wondering what product to use.
 

Grabbin' Asphalt

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#11
  • Jun 14, 2015
  • #11
Ahhhhhhhhh......
Now it makes sense!!!
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
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#12
  • Jun 15, 2015
  • #12
Red panels might be pretty easy to find cheap as lots of guys ripped them out for grey or black interiors. You might get lucky and find a mint set somewhere. I know when I took mine out, they were pristine. Only got $100 for the while interior. Wish I held onto it a bit longer. I still have my original dash though
 

Aaron

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 5, 2003
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Jun 15, 2015
#13
  • Jun 15, 2015
  • #13
What's funny is I have been looking all over for the panels I need and have come up empty on anything decent. I'm sure I missed the mass exodus of red parts years ago haha.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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#14
  • Jun 15, 2015
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Guess we are finally ready to enter the age of all OEM parts being worth something now.
 

Shakerhood

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#15
  • Jun 15, 2015
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Mustang5L5 said:
Guess we are finally ready to enter the age of all OEM parts being worth something now.
Click to expand...
Seems like the price of everything is on the rise.
 

smkshw

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#16
  • Jun 16, 2015
  • #16
@Aaron
if you use the sem texture,ive only seen black,but if it is,your better off spraying it light grey first,if you dont it will take so many coats to cover,the interior paint is realy thin,and red is really transparent.
 

Aaron

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 5, 2003
94
35
38
Buffalo, NY
Jun 16, 2015
#17
  • Jun 16, 2015
  • #17
smkshw said:
@Aaron
if you use the sem texture,ive only seen black,but if it is,your better off spraying it light grey first,if you dont it will take so many coats to cover,the interior paint is realy thin,and red is really transparent.
Click to expand...

Got it. I ordered the texture stuff, along with the red interior lacquer. Wasn't sure how dark it would be. Guess I need to find some grey lacquer as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
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