Tried my hand at bodywork... kind-of...

[Diamonds]

So, i got a sweet deal on an Origin-Lab aero kit for my s14. Yes, i will be running a "body kit".

 

There were a couple touchups that needed to be performed on the fiberglass so i figured i'd try to fix it myself. Not knowing the slightest thing about bodywork i tried to think about what i would bo if i were a bodyman.

 

Here is the sideskirt that is damaged.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt1.jpg

 

 

 

 

First things first, i wanted to clear away all the loose FG material from where the skirt had been bashed. the problem area is abotu 5 inches long. I used sandpaper and a block of wood.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt2.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Logic told me that i should strengthen it from the inside out. so i put tape over the outside in case any of the bondo were to seep through... though i found out that the bondo is actually very thick. Thicker than i thought. I also wanted make sure and not press the tape to the destroyed area so that if bondo were to seep through, it could help reform the new outside... though it did not seep through.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt3.jpg

 

 

 

 

Then i bondoed the inside nice and thick using a walmart bag over my finger to apply it. I used twice the reccomended hardener so that it would set fast.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirtbondo.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt4.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

then i went to the outside and cleared away more debris once the inside hardened.. and was stronger.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt11.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

I then removed the blue tape and puttied the outside, layed it on thick, but in a uniform concise matter so that i would not have to sand a lot of surface area.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt5.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

I then sanded down the excess after it dried with a block and sandpaper to conform to the rest of the body line. Turns out i didnt go thick enough the first time.

 

second pass with the bondo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt9.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt6.jpg

 

 

 

Finally, i spray painted the fixed area... thinking, that the paint would do 2 things. One, it would fill in any small gaps (then i would resand). And, it would allow me to see how "even" it looked.

 

I layed it on super thick (notice the runs???) so that I could sand it down and even it out even further once the paint hardens tomorrow.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/s15driftking/skirt8.jpg

 

 

 

 

Not bad in my opinion... but like i said, i am no expert.

 

...and its good enough for my track car. More progress to come later. Iwill go over it again and post pics after the paint is hard.

[MattKatz]

Should have Used Fiberglass and Resin on the back.....Only a light blend coat with bondo on the front.

 

In other words, you kind of did it wrong, but Im sure it will hold up just fine.

[Diamonds]

is resin kind of like epoxy?

[Mopar]

Its a thick liquid used with fiberglass matte. It will prolly be fine, but next time use resin to strengthen the glass.

[Diamonds]

is it clear? kind of like epoxy?

[XChris1632X]

I have seen much worse that's for sure. I would have used glass as well but it might not be a big deal if that area doesn't see much flex or stress.

[Mopar]

is it clear? kind of like epoxy?

 

Yea its clear, and sure I guess you could say that.

[Diamonds]

where can i buy it???

[rl]

Any big box store will have it. Wal-Mart, Meijer, etc.

[wnaplay1647545503]

You can buy fiberglass mat and resin at home dept. You take resin, add in the hardner then use a cheap brush to apply to area, lay in mat and then dab in place(into resin) with brush. Bondo makes a kit just like bondo that includes a small piece of fiberglass mat. The resin sets up quickly so move fast and never mix up alot of resin. You can then add more layers of varying types of mats if needed/wanted. Chances are its made with fiberglass already and thats why guys are suggestion fixing it with fiberglass. Research the diferent types of mats and what each is used for if you really want to get good at it. Its not hard to do. What you did already looks good. Question is, will it fall right out when you go over the first bump.