Underbody original fiberglass look

[William R.]

I have a 61 on a rotisserie and am now repairing some under body damage. I am the second owner of this car and found that the previous owner had the entire under body coated with rust preventative coating. After a major investment in time it has all been removed. I finished the soda blasting and it looks great. However there are some repairs needed to the under body. I want the repairs to have the same appearance as the original look of the fiberglass as I would one day like to have the car judged.

I tried some color additives to the resin from Fiberglast for the repair work but just can't get the right match. Additionally their resins have a pink cast which shows through on the repair work. Can anyone suggest the best method to get the desired original look? Also, after the soda blasting it looks like the entire under body needs gelcoated as the fiberglass strands are no longer sealed. I am thinking a clear flat gelcoat and I am having difficulty locating the right brand. Can anyone help advise on this and where to go for the right gelcoating? Plenty of companies have gloss clear but can't locate anyone with a flat clear, if this is the best way to go.

[Bob W.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

William, I think Evercoat sells a resin that has a yellow cast ,to it also check at a boat shop they may have a clear resin. Also why not use a flat clear for the underside of the body.

[James F.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

Bill - I saw this further down on current tech page - "I like to purchase from Fiberlay in Kent Wa. They have all the professional fiberglass products you will need. You can call in your order or order online from their web site if you don't live by one of their stores. There is a lot of information on their web site or their sales people are very knowledgeable and can answer your questions." - I had the same problem & thought about adding ivory color to the clear resin. It's funny how press molded pieces have color instead of being clear. Keep trying panel companies. Jim

[William R.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

Thanks for the help guys. I will check out Evercoat and Fiberlay on the resins. Bob, do you think the flat clear will seal off the exposed fiberglass strands? I've never used clear before. My only experience has been with acrylic lacquers and enamels.

[Bob W.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

William. Buy a qt of a of a good quality clear and try it in trans tunnel and see how it works out, if you don't like it the trans insulation will cover it and look for another way.

[Chris S.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

You can tint the resin by adding white and yellow paint to it
Do a little trial and error and you can get a really good match.

[Donald H.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

When I restored my 1960, there were more than 20 "extra" hole and other things on the underside that needed repair and patching. I took the advice of the guy (35 years of experience with body work and paint on corvettes) who did the major body work and paint on my car.

I used Fibre Glast Isophthalic Polyester Resin, its sort of a honey or carmel color. I also bought from Fibre Glast a variety of their resin dyes (which I think or just some kind of paint). I bought black, white, yellow, and a tan/cream color.

I got what I would call acceptable color match to the bottom of my 1960. Picture 1 is what I started with, Picture 2 show a couple of holes (blue circle) that needed patching, and Picture 3 is after patching with color matched fiberglass/resin.

Not perfect, but I was satisfied. I took this car through Regional and National judging and never got a single negative comment on the underside.

Don

[Tom B.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

Looks good from here. That gives the rest of us hope.

Tom

[William R.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

I've tried the white and yellow but just haven't got the right match yet. Didn't know about the tan cream color. I'll have to check that out. I buy a fair amount of supplies from Fibre Glast.... don't know how I missed the Isophthalic Polyester Resin. The honey caramel color will probably go a long way towards getting close to the desired color. Guys, can't thank you all enough for the advise. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

[Mark S.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

Another alternative might be to purchase the resin from a fiberglass vendor such as Corvette image. I have done this in the past and have achieved good results.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

Does anyone know where to get the exact material the used in St Louis to glue the panels together?

It sort of a grayish slop

Although by the 67s seems to have dorkened significantly

[Mark S.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

I also purchased the bonding material from a fiberglass vendor such as Corvette Image. I used some black fiberglass coloring agent to get the coloring spot on. The coloring agent can be purchased from a fiberglass boat dealer.

[Dan P.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

First i mixed white tint used for gel coat with the the resin .I used this resin with the mat for repairs .Still was off color.SO I found some old floors . I spread some plastic on the floor and then ground them. I collected all the dust . I mixed it with resin and made my own putty .I spread this over the repairs .It was still a little off . So i had the paint store mix up some matching paint . They sent me home with very dark yellow tint . I tinted it it till i got real close .Then i air brushed the edges . Just like blending paint . The i used flat clear on the whole floor.

[William R.]

Re: Underbody original fiberglass look

Try Sermersheim's Corvette. They sell what you are looking for. It's the right stuff.

http://www.scorvette.com/