I've been away from the forum for quite some time and was doing some catching up this morning. I ran across a HUGE discussion regarding problems with blistering on press molded panels mfg by Corvette Image. Very interesting information. I purchased a front clip and both rear qtr panels from CI for my 66 in 2001. I used the Ecklers gel coat on everything BUT the front clip. I used the Poly gel coat (from CI) on the front clip. Had the car painted, all looks great. 1 year later after period of high humidty (live in midwest)noticed blistering on area's of the front clip. It only got worse. Nothing on the rear quarters. Figured I screwed up with gel-coat by using the poly or maybe not getting it on heavy enough. Had the entire car sanded down and re-painted AGAIN (another 6K out the door). I ate it since I figured I screwed up. Well, this summer I noticed some more blistering on the front clip again. It's not as bad as originally but I am not real happy with it. Now I come to find out it appears to be a mfg problem!! I'm not looking to sue anybody or anything like that. I just would like to know what, if anything, can be done to fix this problem. When I had car painted the 2nd time they used some kind of sealer the paint rep said to use. It's base/clear, Siekens paint. Well, that didn't work either! Any comments??
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Re: Corvette Image issues
Sorry to hear about it Ron, I know the feeling all too well. -
Re: Corvette Image issues
Bummer.
From your description, it sounds like the Eckler's gelcoat kept you out of trouble on the rear quarter panels you purchased from Corvette Image. Is my interpretation correct?...Or, do you think something else kept you from having the blistering problems on the rear quarters?...Maybe it was because they weren't horizontal surfaces?Comment
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Re: Corvette Image issues
Good question...but from I have read on post's in the archives, it only seems like the problem is on front clips.Comment
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Re: Corvette Image issues
Does it make any sense that some panels, or assembled panels, would be affected and not others?
If the same materials are utilized by the same employees, it does not compute that this problem happens in assembled front clips, and not in individual panels. But...if this problem DOES only occur on assembled front clips, then Corvette Image's area of investigation has been narrowed considerably.Comment
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Re: Corvette Image issues
Ron,
I have known several people who have had the same problem, and nothing that any of them have tried has kept the problem from coming back. I think this is an issue that if a pannel is affected, then you just need to replace the panel.
On the up side, I understand that Jerry at Corvette Image is very good about replacing those panels that have this problem. I am told that the problem is now fixed, but I am skeptical.
Every thing that I have read about the problem leads me to believe that the problem is/was related to incomplete catalyzation of the resin. I know that CI uses a RTM molding process, and my guess is that there is a problem with the MEKP mixing with the resin on those panels.
Regards, John McGrawComment
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