C2@ underbody

[Michael S.]

How do you repair a crack in the original black fiberglass underbody and get the new glass repair to match the color and texture ? Is there a special process, coloring or resin that is utilized ?

[Gary B.]

Fiberglass repairs; matching color

Mike,

I've had great results in matching color in fiberglass repairs by adding pigment or dye to the fiberglass resin when mixing resin and hardener. The pigment I used comes in a variety of colors that I mix to match the part in question. The dyes can be purchased in 3 or 4 ounce containers from Tap Plastics (http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=50&).

I restored my '66 spare tire tube using this approach and it came out great. The thing I didn't do, but thought about, was paint on irregular, hariline white streaks to simulate the white fiberglass fibers that one sees on the surface of original spare tire tubs. These appear in the large flat areas of the tub, but not so much around the periphery, where my repairs were located. I don't know why these white bits show up in the original tub, since I would have thought the dye in the original GM resin would have colored them in the same way that the dye that I used colored the white fiberglass wool that I used.

Gary

[Jack H.]

Re: C2@ underbody

The pros mix coloring agents into the fiberglass slurry and use a moistened towel to 'texture' the new surface to match the original. You have to practice (off car) to gain the experience professional body men have (what's the color look like when mixed vs. dried/hardened), but good 'invisible repairs CAN be made.

As for mid-year cars having 'black' underbody panels, I don't think that's quite right. Original press molded glass I'm used to seeing varied from slightly yellow/beige on early cars to a rather light grey hue on later cars...

[mike mccagh]

Re: C2@ underbody

67's had dark grey/charcoal colored fiberglass panels. mike

[Dave K.]

Re: Fiberglass repairs; matching color

Gary,

I purchased the gray and black dyes from Tapp myself and am planning to repair my 66 spare tire tub. Backside lip is broken away.

Dave Kitch

[Gary B.]

Dave: Fiberglass repairs; matching color

Dave,

The foreward side lip was the main area I repaired on my tub and I also used a mix of the black and gray pigment to get the right color.

Gary

[Greg T.]

Re: Fiberglass repairs; matching color

Do you mind sharing your formula for your 66 color?

[Gary B.]

Greg: matching color

Greg,

I started with the pure gray pigment and kept adding more black until I got the color to match. No formula. Just went by eye. Once the repair was dry, I then sanded and then rubbed on a little more pigment mix to blend new and old.

Gary