AIR splitter Pics (damage, off car)
03-10-2003, 06:14 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
AIR splitter Pics (damage, off car)
On Sat. night my splitter (practically brand new) met a railroad tie at low speed. Fiberglass isnt very forgiving, so It ripped it apart from where a crack already had already settled in. Well I had a fiberglass repair kit to fix that crack, and now it looks like Im going to become one with the art of fiberglass repair 
Heres some pics of that night, and then after I began sanding away in prep of tommorow when I try my hand at workin some magic w/ fiberglass. To me it doesnt look nearly as bad as I thought It did and I think It will be re-useable, albeit with larger washers as some damage did occur to real front bumper, but its not noticeable and I think we'll be ok...anyways here some pics:
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sngrant/102_0205.JPG" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sngrant/102_0207.JPG" alt=" - " />
The small piece is just laying on top right now, I will have to fabricate it back in with some fiberglass sheets/hardener/resin and lots-o-sanding...
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sngrant/102_0210.JPG" alt=" - " />
Heres some pics of that night, and then after I began sanding away in prep of tommorow when I try my hand at workin some magic w/ fiberglass. To me it doesnt look nearly as bad as I thought It did and I think It will be re-useable, albeit with larger washers as some damage did occur to real front bumper, but its not noticeable and I think we'll be ok...anyways here some pics:
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sngrant/102_0205.JPG" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sngrant/102_0207.JPG" alt=" - " />
The small piece is just laying on top right now, I will have to fabricate it back in with some fiberglass sheets/hardener/resin and lots-o-sanding...
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sngrant/102_0210.JPG" alt=" - " />
03-10-2003, 06:24 PM
#2
Race Car
ouch, that sucks. if it makes you feel any better, i completed a body filler patch job on my front spoiler last week, then ripped it off again yesterday trying to tow my car. (these normally aspirated front spoilers have no accomodations for towing!!)
03-10-2003, 06:42 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Looks totally re-useable. Once great thing about fiberglass over steel, it's easy to make it look like it never happened! I think you'll be able to fix it up nice and get it back to looking good. Good luck!
03-10-2003, 07:22 PM
#5
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Sam... that ain't bad at all.
Sand the whole thing back to the white gelcoat that came on it with 300 grit paper. Then, sand down to fiber 4" around the area of repair with 180 grit paper.
Get it nice and clean. Use some resin to help bond the broken parts, then carefully sand it smooth with 180.
Next, apply 2 thin layers of glass over the whole area that was broken. Do not let the 1st layer gel up, or you will get bubbles and pin holes. With the 180, knock it down till it is slightly higher than the rest of the unpatched area. With 300, sand it smooth to match the rest. Sanders tip: use some flat black paint to lightly mist the surface of the part. It will help you find low and uneven spots.
Apply 2 new gelcoat layers to the whole panel. (I reccomend Rubber Seal primers and gelcoats, found at Spies Hecker dealers) Sand with 400 wet. Apply 2 coats of primer. (again, rubber seal)
Wetsand the primer with 600, make sure it is ready to roll, and apply 1 coat of base color with flex additive, and 2 wet coats without. This will help prevent chipping. If it does chip, sometimes the flexible coat you applied will stay, leving a red chip instead of white.
Lightly wetsand with 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit papers, and buff out with your choice of grit. (I prefer 3M machiene glaze, Finesse it 2, and hand glaze. I have been turned onto Wizards products and look forward to finishing my car with them.)
A little time and she'll be good as new.
See ya at the fest.
Sand the whole thing back to the white gelcoat that came on it with 300 grit paper. Then, sand down to fiber 4" around the area of repair with 180 grit paper.
Get it nice and clean. Use some resin to help bond the broken parts, then carefully sand it smooth with 180.
Next, apply 2 thin layers of glass over the whole area that was broken. Do not let the 1st layer gel up, or you will get bubbles and pin holes. With the 180, knock it down till it is slightly higher than the rest of the unpatched area. With 300, sand it smooth to match the rest. Sanders tip: use some flat black paint to lightly mist the surface of the part. It will help you find low and uneven spots.
Apply 2 new gelcoat layers to the whole panel. (I reccomend Rubber Seal primers and gelcoats, found at Spies Hecker dealers) Sand with 400 wet. Apply 2 coats of primer. (again, rubber seal)
Wetsand the primer with 600, make sure it is ready to roll, and apply 1 coat of base color with flex additive, and 2 wet coats without. This will help prevent chipping. If it does chip, sometimes the flexible coat you applied will stay, leving a red chip instead of white.
Lightly wetsand with 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit papers, and buff out with your choice of grit. (I prefer 3M machiene glaze, Finesse it 2, and hand glaze. I have been turned onto Wizards products and look forward to finishing my car with them.)
A little time and she'll be good as new.
See ya at the fest.
03-10-2003, 08:22 PM
#7
Done With Sidepatch
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by SamGrant951:
<strong>Thanks Perry, great walk through.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I'll second that!
<strong>Thanks Perry, great walk through.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I'll second that!
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03-11-2003, 05:55 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
Hey Perry, great advice i have to get top my front too and didn't quite know how to get at it.
