The flat part around the emblem on the nose of my car is warped. It's not much, but I don't want to get it repainted like it is. I did a search, but I didn't find much about it. I was going to try to use a heat gun on it. Will this work or will I do more harm than good?

 

nobody?

 

the nose of your car is urathane plastic, not fiberglass..

as to how to reshape it, i donno.

 

Speaking of fiberglass, my '83 Z hood is starting to flatten out along the fenders. It no longer matches the curvature of the fenders. Anybody seen this problem? Any fixes? BTW, aren't these hoods made of some sort of fiberglass derivative not a "real" fiberglass?

 

Yeah...I guess I should've known that, fiberglass would be cracked not warped.

Has anybody heated the plastic up to straighten it out or is that impossible? I'm guessing it would just make it worse, since it is now stretched. I hate to replace the nose just because of this slight flaw. Could I use some kind of filler on it if that won't work?

 

You can reshape it using a heat gun. I have done it several times. It is easiest with the part off and someone to help. You will also need gloves and a bucket of cold water and a rag. Heat the part until it starts to stink. Then try pushing on it to see how pliable it is. Dont heat in one spot too long! Push the part back to the shape you want it and hold it there while your helper blots it with the cold water soaked rag. This will cool it back down and it will stay in the shape you were holding it. Sometimes this will mess up the paint, sometimes it doesn't. Good luck.

 

You can reshape it using a heat gun. I have done it several times. It is easiest with the part off and someone to help. You will also need gloves and a bucket of cold water and a rag. Heat the part until it starts to stink. Then try pushing on it to see how pliable it is. Dont heat in one spot too long! Push the part back to the shape you want it and hold it there while your helper blots it with the cold water soaked rag. This will cool it back down and it will stay in the shape you were holding it. Sometimes this will mess up the paint, sometimes it doesn't. Good luck.

 

Thanks Roadthrills!!!

I'll give that a try!

 

Worked like a charm!

 

are you talking to delete the indent for the emblem or just reshape it? If delete then i wanna do that! lol

 

he was talking about it being warped, not getting rid of the emblem. I'd like to see before and after pics if you have any. My T/A bumper is warped around the license plate area and it'd be great if i could repair it rather than buy a replacement cover

 

I didn't take any pictures of it before I did it. On one side of the emblem the plastic was was starting to cave in a little. I did just what Roadthrills told me to do and now you can't tell it was ever there! Do wear gloves though, it gets hot fast. OUCH! I used the highest setting on my heat gun, but I don't think I would have done it like that if I had good paint. It would be a scary thing to do if you have a nice paint job.

 

What wattage heat gun would you recommend? Can you get away w/a hair dryer as well? I have a warp under my fog light (90 firebird) I need to fix before I get it painted.

 

does this really work and could you use a hair drier

 

I highly doubt a hair dryer would do crap. I have a real heatgun and its WAY hotter than a hair dryer. Last time I attempted using a hair dryer for something that called for a heat gun it didn't do squat

 

If you use a hair dryer in place of a heat gun it usually will take like 8 extra years to accomplish the task heh