Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
12-20-2008, 07:30 PM
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Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
Hey all,
I'm going to be restoring the body on my '86 Trans Am this winter and spring. Im doing a few modifications and repainting. I love the vents in the GTA hood and fenders, but I'm thinking they would look better if I filled and smoothed the edge of the plastic vents into the hood or fender. i plan on using epoxy resin w/ chopped glass filler and thickener (assuming epoxy resin doesnt eat this kind of plastic, i was going to test first). I think this will give it a more finished look. I was also thinking about filling the gaps in the front and rear bumper/nose cone/ fender joints. However, Im thinking that might be a bad idea on these unibodies as there will be too much flex and the joint filler wil crack. What do you guys think? anyone done any of this w/ pics?
Thanks
Peter
I'm going to be restoring the body on my '86 Trans Am this winter and spring. Im doing a few modifications and repainting. I love the vents in the GTA hood and fenders, but I'm thinking they would look better if I filled and smoothed the edge of the plastic vents into the hood or fender. i plan on using epoxy resin w/ chopped glass filler and thickener (assuming epoxy resin doesnt eat this kind of plastic, i was going to test first). I think this will give it a more finished look. I was also thinking about filling the gaps in the front and rear bumper/nose cone/ fender joints. However, Im thinking that might be a bad idea on these unibodies as there will be too much flex and the joint filler wil crack. What do you guys think? anyone done any of this w/ pics?
Thanks
Peter
12-21-2008, 11:04 AM
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Re: Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
I'm definitely no expert, but I think filling in the gaps around the ground effects would definitely end up cracking. As far as the hood/fender vents - I'd say give it a shot and see how it turns out. It may look really good. In any case, good luck!
12-21-2008, 01:13 PM
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Re: Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
you can prolly get it to work. i would say its just like shaving anything else on a car. I would definatly try it. I have seen it dont before. Sickness91Z28 has pictures of his brothers camaro that had the vents smoothed i think. Might be wrong.
12-21-2008, 01:50 PM
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Re: Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
Hey all,
I'm going to be restoring the body on my '86 Trans Am this winter and spring. Im doing a few modifications and repainting. I love the vents in the GTA hood and fenders, but I'm thinking they would look better if I filled and smoothed the edge of the plastic vents into the hood or fender. i plan on using epoxy resin w/ chopped glass filler and thickener (assuming epoxy resin doesnt eat this kind of plastic, i was going to test first). I think this will give it a more finished look. I was also thinking about filling the gaps in the front and rear bumper/nose cone/ fender joints. However, Im thinking that might be a bad idea on these unibodies as there will be too much flex and the joint filler wil crack. What do you guys think? anyone done any of this w/ pics?
Thanks
Peter
I'm going to be restoring the body on my '86 Trans Am this winter and spring. Im doing a few modifications and repainting. I love the vents in the GTA hood and fenders, but I'm thinking they would look better if I filled and smoothed the edge of the plastic vents into the hood or fender. i plan on using epoxy resin w/ chopped glass filler and thickener (assuming epoxy resin doesnt eat this kind of plastic, i was going to test first). I think this will give it a more finished look. I was also thinking about filling the gaps in the front and rear bumper/nose cone/ fender joints. However, Im thinking that might be a bad idea on these unibodies as there will be too much flex and the joint filler wil crack. What do you guys think? anyone done any of this w/ pics?
Thanks
Peter
12-21-2008, 01:59 PM
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Re: Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
I wish I could say it would work..but it won't. When you try to mend to surfaces that aren't the same....they will eventually crack. With my first Z28, I put the lower TA vents in my fenders..and I used a series of products. They lasted for a few months....then hairline cracks starting showing up. If you could making them out of steel..weld them in...then do the body work...it would be fine. But when you try to mend urethane to metal...it just doesn't work in the long run.
12-21-2008, 02:24 PM
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Re: Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
I wish I could say it would work..but it won't. When you try to mend to surfaces that aren't the same....they will eventually crack. With my first Z28, I put the lower TA vents in my fenders..and I used a series of products. They lasted for a few months....then hairline cracks starting showing up. If you could making them out of steel..weld them in...then do the body work...it would be fine. But when you try to mend urethane to metal...it just doesn't work in the long run.
lol
12-21-2008, 08:18 PM
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T-5 5 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt
Re: Filling gaps on hood/fender vents- Good Idea?
I wish I could say it would work..but it won't. When you try to mend to surfaces that aren't the same....they will eventually crack. With my first Z28, I put the lower TA vents in my fenders..and I used a series of products. They lasted for a few months....then hairline cracks starting showing up. If you could making them out of steel..weld them in...then do the body work...it would be fine. But when you try to mend urethane to metal...it just doesn't work in the long run.
----------
I wish I could say it would work..but it won't. When you try to mend to surfaces that aren't the same....they will eventually crack. With my first Z28, I put the lower TA vents in my fenders..and I used a series of products. They lasted for a few months....then hairline cracks starting showing up. If you could making them out of steel..weld them in...then do the body work...it would be fine. But when you try to mend urethane to metal...it just doesn't work in the long run.
Thanks for the replies.
Last edited by stealtht/a; 12-21-2008 at 08:20 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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