Is there anything that can be done to patch up cracked groundeffects (side), or is it just better to get a new part?

 

You could try putting a fiberglass patch on the inside to hold it together, and then put bondo on the outside to fill in scratches. It might take som elbow grease, but it'll save you some money.

------------------
1983 Pontiac Firebird SE
LG4-Based Chevy 400
700R4 Tansmission
Modified 4 Barrel Q-Jet Carb
Accel Super Stock 8mm Wires
Edelbrock Pro-Flo Air Cleaner
3.23 Posi Rear
14X7" Cragar SS/T Wheels
Clarion 45X4 CD/AM/FM Head Unit
100WX2 Amp
2 Pioneer 12" Subs in Custom Box
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is only half an engine"

 

Go to an autobody supply shop and ask them, they'll sell you what you need. Then get a GM shop manual for your car and read what it has to say.

 

Go to an autobody supply shop and ask them, they'll sell you what you need. Then get a GM shop manual for your car and read what it has to say.

 

Go to an autobody shop and give a bodyman there $20 to fix it. The glue is extremely expensive and they use proprietory calking guns. It would cost you $100 to buy the materials to fix it but you'll only end up using $10 worth of glue. Bondo will do nothing to fix cracks in plastic except for maybe the last cosmetic coat on the outside. Different kinds of plastic require different glues and repair procedures. Most bodymen will know what kind of glue to use and the correct proceedures.

------------------
Kenney
82 Trans Am WS7 notchback
83 Trans Am WS6 T-tops
72 Vista Cruiser 455
90 Olds Trofeo
80 K-10 w/snow plow
Painter @ Chevy dealer
GM junkie

 

After some basic research because I've got a couple ground FX to repair, I found it's easy and cheap to fix. Realizing that a repair will never be as flexible as the original, I'm prepared to redo the work if I'm dumb enough to run it into a curb.

First try layers of heavy fiberglass cloth and expoxy resin on the inside, filler on the outside.

There's more -- here's what the experts use:

http://www.autobodystore.com/plastic.htm

Adhesion Aid 8 OZ. Aerosol $4.99 SXPP A must for good adhesion. 24 oz. Aerosol $8.99 SXPP24

FLEXIBLE -- Repair Kit For flexible plastics like bumpers
2 Part 50 ml Cartridge $10.50 XSMAF
150 ml Cartridge $22.99 XSM2000

Semi-Rigid Repair Kit 50 ml Cartridge $10.50 XSMAP For semi-rigid plastics like those used in fenders
150 ml Cartridge $22.99 XSM3000

2 Part RIGID Repair Kit 50 ml Cartridge $10.50 XSMAR For rigid plastics like those used for head lamp bracket or fan shrouds. 150 ml Cartridge $22.99 XSM4000

2 Part Finish Epoxy Kit 50 ml Cartridge $10.50 XSME Top coat application to finish a repair or for minor surface repairs in flexible bumpers

2 Part Door Skin Kit 150 ml Cartridge $22.99 XSM5000 For bonding metal or plastic door skins

2 Part Urethane Foam 150 ml Cartridge $22.99 XSM6000 Sound deadener Flutter reducer

Water Proof -- Mixer nozzles 50 ml Cartridges $1.10 XSMM50 Order extras and leave used nozzle in place to seal tube till next use. 150 ml Cartrdges 1000 thru 4000 $2.40 XSM1000M 150 ml Cartrdges
5000 and 6000 $2.40 XSMM

Reinforcing Tape 2"X 68' $8.20 XWT A must when repairing broken flexible parts


------------------
Duck_Hawaii
87 IROC-Z5.7
92 Z28-5.7 Anniversary

 

Ground effects prices are pretty cheap at swap meets and at junk yards in central PA, as well as the U-pull it yards. For what is worth, buck up and buy another piece if the item has cracks or tears that show. Short ground effects are like $10 per hit and the sides are like $20 when you can find them at Rossmans junk yard in Lewistown. If the pieces are warped, you can heat them with a heat gun and bend them back into shape. If you are planning on keeping your car or having it painted, good used replacement parts will give the you best satisfaction for the long run. And, the parts are cheap now, but in 10-20 years they will become pricey and harder to find. When you look back, you will be glad you replaced them with the good stuff.

------------------