Experience with aftermarket press molded glass ?

[Norris Wallace (6139)]

I'm thinking about replacing the surround on a '63 Coupe. If (big if) I decide to do it I've been contemplating the white PM repop made by the Mfg'r in the NW that I assume is the only one availble, even though sold by most vendors.

Is this stuff worthy of an otherwise SUPER NICE high optioned car? For whatever reason, the car had a surround replacement BEFORE I became aware of it in the mid 80's. The car was taken apart in the late 70's, stripped to bare glass and I believe the surrond was replaced before that time. The trouble is, the jackass who replaced it did an otherwise very good job as far as fit/finish, but he sawed it at the corner of the hood to the outer edges of the windshield, and I just can't make myself like it, even though it's all GM glass.

I've been told that there were some mold release compound/bubbling paint issues with this glass 10 or so years ago, but IF that's true, surely it's been fixed by now since the stuff is still widely marketed.

Also, what's a good source for tinting material to get the panel strip adhesive to the proper color. I've always used 880 Fiberglass Evercoat, but it's been a long time since I've done a surround or other panel replacement, like maybe almost 20 yrs, and hopefully the state of the art has advanced.

[John McGraw (31656)]

Re: Experience with aftermarket press molded glass

There is another manufacturer of these panels, and that company is Semerscheims. I have been using their panels for the last 4 years, and have been pleased with them. I do not know if the problems with the Corvette Image panels is really resolved, as many of the problems take at least a year to surface. I do not think that it is as simple as a "mold release" issue. The problem appears to be related to the panel not completely curing internally. I have several friend who have had panels blister. CI has been very good about replacing defective panels, but the cost of the panel is smoetimes the least expensive part of the job.

Regards, John McGraw

[Norris Wallace (6139)]

Re: Experience with aftermarket press molded glass

No doubt the cost of the panel is insignificant in the grand picture of paint and installation. The problem that I saw with the Semerscheims panels is that they appear to be black gel coat on both sides (at least the ones I saw several years ago) and become obvious replacements at even a casual glance from underneath. Maybe I'm better off to leave the original GM glass on this car and try to deal better with the diagonal cuts at the cowl, but it's hard to do on an otherwise flawless original engined SHP car........... at least for me.

The CI panels that I saw all blistered up here were probably 6 or 8 years ago, and I figured that surely the problem would have been resolved by now if they're still being sold. One would think that with a project of this magnitude, a chemical engineer somewhere would've gotten involved and figured out how to fix it.

[Dick Whittington (8804)]

Re: Experience with aftermarket press molded glass

I believe that Shermershiem has the "white" glass now. I have used Jim's glass for over 15 years with no problems. Gray and black both that I have used has passed NCRS judging. Fit was good.

I use Lord "Fusor" for adhesive. Maybe Wayne Womble or Bill Williamson will chime in on this thread. They have done a LOT more panel replacement that I have.

[Wayne Womble (5569)]

Re: Experience with aftermarket press molded glass

Personally, I think the CI panels are much better from an underside standpoint. They have a more correct finish with fibers showing etc. on the areas that are seen after assembly and painting. This is particularly true with black, but less so in gray and tan. Beyond that, Sermersheims panels are good also. All fiberglass, including the two major suppliers and the original stuff have their own problems that need to be addressed at the time of assembly and painting.