[Jshaw0412]

Next week I plan to start on my hood...basically it just needs a good sanding and one small 1 inch crack to fix on the front.

Whats the best stuff to use on the crack?

Whats the best way to sand fiberglass to get a smooth finish?
Jim

 

[fly4fun]

Jim, I used one of the fiberglass repair kits you can get from the auto parts places. It contains everything you need to do the repair except the sandpaper. If you want a really slick finish on the hood, you need to repair the crack first, then put several coats of sandable primer. After it dries, sand with 220 to locate the low and high places, then if needed, more primer and sand with 600 or 800 wet sand paper. If you're happy with the feel of the hood after this, put on your top coat of choice. If it still isn't smooth enough to your liking, shoot more primer and sand until you're satisfied. Most guys that are going to use their machines, don't worry much about trying to cover the fiberglass strands in the hood. Then the ones of us who like show tractors put about as much effort in the hood as the rest of the machine. Hope this helps, just take your time and any mistakes can be corrected, just takes time !!

Jerry

 

[Jshaw0412]

Thanks Jerry,
I never really worked with fiberglass so your comments are very helpful.

 

[fly4fun]

It's not too difficult to work with, just be sure you mix your resin correct or it will either be forever setting up or harden before you finish your job. If you take a small grinder and bevel the crack on both sides, then fill in with your cloth and resin, it makes the job easier to blend in with the original hood. Like I said before, just take your time and sand until the "glass" is to your liking. You'll be surprised what you can do.

Jerry

 

[stanb112]

When I repair a cracked hood I always add a fiberglass "patch" on the inside of the hood to reinforce the crack. I use 'glass tape or cloth cut to about three times the size of the crack. I roughen the hood surface then "glue" the patch in place with resin. If you don't do this there's a good chance the crack will break open up later because resin is not strong enough to hold the edges of the crack together.
Stan

 

[ajcan]

What do you guys think of the stuff you buy at auto parts store that is like bondo?
It is even made by the same company.
You mix in the hardener and apply like bondo.
I have a crack about 1/4 inch long at of course the nose.
Opinions?

AJ

 

[rchristensen]

AJ if your talking about filling in the crack without using the fiberglass patch I can tell you the crack will come back. There is a lot of stress on the front edge of the hood.

 

[stanb112]

AJ, the Bondo kit you're talking about works well for patching. Just be sure to thoroughly clean and roughen all surfaces before applying it, and reinforce any cracks or holes as Richard and I mentioned.

 

[sflem849]

Should you drill holes in both ends of the cracks? The only fiberglass work I have ever done was on boats. We never really delt with cracks, but large scratches.

 

[stanb112]

In my experience holes are not necessary since the reinforcing tape/cloth prevents stress at the crack. I've repaired quite a few hoods and never had a crack re-open.

 

[Kwiknred]

If you set up the fibreglass cloth and resin on a piece of wax paper, then apply the whole thing, the wax paper keeps it off your hands and allows you to smooth it out nice on the hood and cut down on the sanding, you can leave the wax paper up to 20 minutes and peel it right off

 

[jasbro2]

In my opinion epoxy resin is much stronger than polyester resin. I always go with epoxy..

 

[Jshaw0412]

Thanks for all the info....I got'er done yesterday. Pics are here. Thanks!

http://www.wfmachines.com/discus/messages/17/33901.html?1251674267