What product is the best for repairing/filling SMC panels with 2-3" cracks, looking for something that has close to original color so the repair isn't so noticable on the inner side of fender well on my 1973 roadster.
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Re: SMC repair
I have studied the modern plastic panel repair products, but I haven't yet used them, so I can't help with a color description of the cured materials. I suspect, however, that your options are going to be limited regarding matching raw panel color; i.e. "What you see, is what you get".
The modern products are intended for use on a whole host of different plastic composites used in body panels, fascias, etc. Different types of materials and different OEMs' selected materials may vary considerably, but the modern products will work for all of it AFAIK. The two or three manufacturers of these products are going to be less concerned about color, than their effectiveness for the intended use.
For a 2-3 inch crack in SMC, the recommended product will be Lord Fusor 100EZ with fiberglass reinforcing mesh. The 100EZ is a heat set adhesive, so I might be inclined to use the Fusor 127 slow structural adhesive to avoid bothering with heat lamps. See links below for product source, and a detailed Fusor repair procedure.
You may be able to find what you need at local auto paint stores. I would buy a couple of small packages (50ml) for each crack plus an extra or two, just in case...this will permit you flexibility to only open small quantities for each repair until you get some experience. For polyester based FRP, I would use polyester products rather than Fusor, but on a driver, the Fusor could be used and would work fine...albeit NOT original.
Lord Fusor SMC/FRP Panel Repair Procedure (You may have to turn off your firewall program): http://www.lordfulfillment.com/upload/RP3013.pdf
AutoBodyStore.com: http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...gory_Code=6PRM -
Re: SMC repair
I have used Evercoat SMC Panel adhesive. You can use standard polyester coloring agents to get the color you want. Of course you should practice a bit... and the color will never be perfect but you can get it very close.Comment
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Re: SMC repair
The Evercoat resin part number is 864. The fiberglass mat to use is Evercoat 940.
The resin is actually turquoise color and comes with a white cream hardener. Go to a PPG paint store and get a can of acrylic enamel color matched to the color of the SMC panel and use 8-10 drops of the enamel to tint the resin to match the SMC.
I am told this works great on SMC.
One advantage to being in Florida -- besides the weather -- is one has access to folks with all kinds of skills. These skills are not mine, but in the spirit of helping folks restore their Corvettes I pass it on.TerryComment
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