Will fiberglass parts....?

brtnstrns

Member

Dec 19, 2003

606

11

19

Lewisville, TX

Feb 22, 2004

#1

• Feb 22, 2004

• #1

Will fiberglass parts warp at all? Or will paint on them not last as long as it would on steel? I want to get a fiberglass hood so I was wondering if anyone had anything against it...and if there is anything wrong with it where would I get a steel custom hood?

 

T

The Dan

New Member

Jul 16, 2003

319

0

0

Orange County, CA

Feb 22, 2004

#2

• Feb 22, 2004

• #2

Hate to mention this name, but corvettes don't seem to have a problem with paint sticking to them. I say go for it. Every bit of weight you save helps. Try going to your local marina and get some paint reccomendations from them, as most boats are fiberglass hull these days. It will at least get you going in te right direction. Just a thought.

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Feb 22, 2004

#3

• Feb 22, 2004

• #3

fiberglass will warp untill it is cured, then it just breaks. fiberglass parts are generally good quality these days, thus if you want a fiberglass hood, get one from a quality supplier, paint it what ever color you like and go with it.

 

C

customperforman

New Member

Sep 6, 2003

98

0

0

Raleigh, NC

Feb 22, 2004

#4

• Feb 22, 2004

• #4

rbohm said:

fiberglass will warp untill it is cured, then it just breaks. fiberglass parts are generally good quality these days, thus if you want a fiberglass hood, get one from a quality supplier, paint it what ever color you like and go with it.

Click to expand...

i paint all kinds of fiberglass every other day. regular automotive paint is what you want to paint a hood with. get a hood from a quality supplier: maier racing or unlimited products are safe bets.

 

brtnstrns

Member

Dec 19, 2003

606

11

19

Lewisville, TX

Feb 22, 2004

#5

• Feb 22, 2004

• #5

the ones from maier racing seem the same as the ones at mustang depot...are they?

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

Founding Member

Apr 8, 2001

2,458

1

56

North Atlanta

Feb 22, 2004

#6

• Feb 22, 2004

• #6

I think the issue at hand here is in the prep work. Customperformanc is correct in saying to use regular automotive paint...acrylic or base coat/clearcoat. The PRIMER is what to be conerned about. THere are all kinds of different primers. Whn you go to buy your paint, tell them you are prepping bare fiberglass and need primer for it, they will tell you what you need.

Shane

 

dolfan87

Founding Member

Dec 28, 2000

1,242

0

0

Lake Havasu, AZ

Feb 22, 2004

#7

• Feb 22, 2004

• #7

allcarfan said:

I think the issue at hand here is in the prep work. Customperformanc is correct in saying to use regular automotive paint...acrylic or base coat/clearcoat. The PRIMER is what to be conerned about. THere are all kinds of different primers. Whn you go to buy your paint, tell them you are prepping bare fiberglass and need primer for it, they will tell you what you need.

Shane

Click to expand...

Although I used the same primer on my tailpanel, as the rest of the car, and it hasn't fallen off yet.

Fiberglass takes patience, no matter who you get it from. Maier included. I have two full days into fitting my Shelby tail panel and end caps...big time.

Of course they fit like a glove now.

87

 

K

Kman

Founding Member

Nov 29, 2000

620

0

17

Connecticut

Feb 23, 2004

#8

• Feb 23, 2004

• #8

Everyone is right on with paying attention to the prep work and using quality paints. I would also mention that it is worth taking the time to adjust the latch so that you can close the hood without a lot of slamming and excessive pushing - this will lessen the likely hood of paint cracking. I have had a glass hood on my 87 LX for 8 years and it still looks as good now as when I first installed it

 

Pakrat

Founding Member

Aug 6, 2000

3,843

0

56

Currently: NH Originally: Rhode Island (and all po

Feb 23, 2004

#9

• Feb 23, 2004

• #9

Yep, the key to painting anything well is always the prep work, 99% in fact. The best glass hoods seem to be the ones with a metal skelton underneath that is glassed in, these stay the most rigid. Do not expect it to fit well at first though, likely much fender messaging will be needed. Also note that you will need lighter duty springs/hinges and it is always wise to secure with some type of latch pin too. Many folks have had their fiberglass hood not catch the latch quite right and have them fly up into the windshield on the highway and then break off.

 

HistoricMustang

Active Member

Apr 11, 2003

2,359

0

46

Confederate States of America

Feb 23, 2004

#10

• Feb 23, 2004

• #10

Good quality fiberglass parts will be fine and painting is not a problem with the proper prep before painting.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

brtnstrns

Member

Dec 19, 2003

606

11

19

Lewisville, TX

Feb 28, 2004

#11

• Feb 28, 2004

• #11

so fiberglass parts dont fit right?

 

C

customperforman

New Member

Sep 6, 2003

98

0

0

Raleigh, NC

Feb 28, 2004

#12

• Feb 28, 2004

• #12

brtnstrns said:

so fiberglass parts dont fit right?

Click to expand...

that is what these people are trying to address: quality fiberglass from a reputable distributor should only need minor touch-ups while cheaply made panels may need alot of work before the fit is good...gaps, seams, lines, etc.