Fiberglass Repair
- Thread starter Sparky117
- Start date
Searching Google Maps for "fiberglass repair near DFW" turns up quite a few places, many with high star ratings. Fiberglass is most common in RVs and boats/jetskis - I'd expect the marine repair outfits would be pricier but do better work.
The exterior of the GMC isn't regular fiberglass, it's Sheet Molded Compound, aka SMC, and it's a different animal than the typical fiberglass polyester resin formulation and layup. SMC is pressed between mold plates in huge presses and has mold release agents in the resin mix. The mold release interferes with standard polyester resin adhesion so an SMC compatible resin is required, such as Evercoat's SMC Resin.
100865 - SMC Resin, Gallon - ITW Evercoat
Adhesion to all types of SMC and fiberglass. SMC resin is a polyester-based resin used for repair of SMC and fiberglass panels and parts. 1 gallon.
www.evercoat.com
I appreciate the information on how the panels were made, as I was unaware of how they were manufactured. As such I will use this when discussing with a repair shop.Searching Google Maps for "fiberglass repair near DFW" turns up quite a few places, many with high star ratings. Fiberglass is most common in RVs and boats/jetskis - I'd expect the marine repair outfits would be pricier but do better work.
The exterior of the GMC isn't regular fiberglass, it's Sheet Molded Compound, aka SMC, and it's a different animal than the typical fiberglass polyester resin formulation and layup. SMC is pressed between mold plates in huge presses and has mold release agents in the resin mix. The mold release interferes with standard polyester resin adhesion so an SMC compatible resin is required, such as Evercoat's SMC Resin.
100865 - SMC Resin, Gallon - ITW Evercoat
Adhesion to all types of SMC and fiberglass. SMC resin is a polyester-based resin used for repair of SMC and fiberglass panels and parts. 1 gallon.
Prior to posting, I did perform a similar search as suggested but came up with little in terms of response after contacting the higher rated shops.
This ranged from “no we dont don’t do this” , no response at all, we are too busy or being told to call back in a few days after multiple attempts.
The goal of the post was to get a handle on what or who others have used as I have run into multiple roadblocks.
Okay, understood. Are you familiar with the GMC Assist List (aka Black List (named after Roger Black, the originator))? Reach out to a local GMCer if you haven't already done so and ask for their recommendation. There are 8 or 10 on the list in the greater DFW area and I'm sure one of them could point you in the right direction.
Is this same list that you spoke of off gmcmi?
Unfortunately that's an outdated list, and it looks like the other popular source is also a couple of years out of date. bdub GMC Black List
I primarily use the Google Maps version of the GMC Assist List
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZB3hWA7Du7AvMPeg6
It shows a more recent date, but I haven't compared it against the other two.
The bdub list is the most recent
The google maps appears to be from the previous version
When talking to a repair shop describe our "fiberglass" as the same as used on Corvette bodies.
West System epoxy #105 has been promoted as a good product for use on our SMC body panels.
www.westsystem.com
West System epoxy #105 has been promoted as a good product for use on our SMC body panels.
Where to Buy WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Products
Find trusted retailers and distributors of WEST SYSTEM Epoxy products near you or online. Get the right epoxy for your next project fast.
www.westsystem.com
@Janet Leslie (Great Lakers member) has been working with @bdub to bring the GMC Assist List up to date. Janet will be giving a short presentation about the list and its history and will bring attendees up to date as to where she and Billy are with the list during a technical session at the GMCMI rally in Michigan next month. Billy Massey will be joining via Zoom. During the session, attendees will be asked for their feedback and suggestions as to how the GMC Assist List might evolve and improve in future editions. They will also have an opportunity to pose questions to Janet and Billy about other aspects of the list.
I will be video recording all technical sessions again. interactions during the Q&A and all suggestions provided by the attendees will be captured on video so they can be responded to as necessary.
Once GMCMI redevelops their website so that new multimedia content can be added to it, all of the technical sessions I have recorded for the GMCMI member community will be uploaded to the site and will be accessible to to active members.
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Good and sticky etc but a bitch to shape after cure. Epoxy would not be my choice, too hard.
I can confirm that. I'd considered the Evercoat stuff that's marketed directly for SMC repairs, but a fellow mechanical engineer from work used to repair high-end boats, and he assured me that West System epoxy would stick to everything just fine. My panel splicing on the Glenbrook has held up great.
Not much point in worrying about fairing if the bond fails.
Correct order of business:
1. Make it last
2. Make it pretty
3. Make it easy
Step 3 may be omitted.
As a boatbuilder with many years of experience with all kinds of resins, I stand by my assessment.
Not much point in worrying about fairing if the bond fails.
Correct order of business:
1. Make it last
2. Make it pretty
3. Make it easy
Step 3 may be omitted.
I've had zero problems sanding West Systems 105 after it cures. I just use a nice coarse grit and change the sheet if it starts getting slow. For repair rather than fabrication, it doesn't scratch the surface of my patience reserves. For daily fabrication of large objects from scratch, I'd probably reevaluate.
Your mechanical engineer friend is not wrong. West System epoxy is the gold standard, ever since the Gougeon brothers DN class iceboat days 50 years ago.
About Us | WEST SYSTEM Epoxy
Learn more about us and how the Gougeon Brothers founded WEST SYSTEM Epoxy in 1969 in Bay City, Michigan, building sailboats and iceboats.
www.westsystem.com
From personal experience I can recommend both West System epoxies and Evercoat SMC polyester resin for repair work on the GMC.
With more complicated repairs, compound curves reversing and such, I prefer to cut out a piece from a donor coach and perform a graft using an SMC compatible 2 part urethane panel adhesive.
I did a panel patch as well, but did a thin layup on the backside to hold things together, then did a frontside feather grind with a staggered layup.
I like the idea of the backer/lap-joint with the panel bond. That saves a lot of work. But hey, mine looks more factory inside the walls where nothing matters and nobody sees!
I like the idea of the backer/lap-joint with the panel bond. That saves a lot of work. But hey, mine looks more factory inside the walls where nothing matters and nobody sees!
