C3 body work for dummies.....

[97moneypit]

When I was in high school, there was a friend who knew how to do corvette body work well enough to mate a '67 front end to a '68 rear....or was it the other way around. Anyway the car turned out awesome.

I have been thinking about getting a '75 roadster. There is one I am looking at that will require some minor body work. So here's the 64 million dollar question.

Is it possible for a guy who has never done any automotive body work whatsoever to learn how to do minor body work on a corvette? I have some building talents. I know that most body shops will be outrageous for corvette repairs. So it would be nice if I could learn how to do some of this on my own over the course of the year.

The actual work I think I could learn how to do, it's the tools and shop setup I would need that might be the problem.

 

[sscam69]

;stupid

 

[69MyWay]

You need only four things.

1. A place to do it (this can be out in the driveway, but you at least have to be able to cover it up and keep it dry when not working on it).

2. Tools, or access to tools.

3. Some degree of mechanical understanding or experience that you can build on as you go. You will learn by doing.

4. A desire to reach the final product...so that you don't give up along the way like soooooo many other people that tackle these projects.


Most all of you repair materials come with specific insturctions on the label that tell you how to prepar the surface, what grade sand paper, and techniques for best results. This is from the basic fiber glass, to the final body filler and primer.

I do lots of things for the first time. Heck, I am doing an RV roof replacement for the first time. You just have to jump in with both feet, ask a lot of questions, and don't be too critical of yourself and you will have fun, learn, and have more pride when complete because YOU DID IT.

 

[SolidLifters]

I believe it's possible for anybody that's "handy" to do decent work if they've got patience and don't mind throwing the effort at the project to do it to a high level of quality. The important thing it to use the right products on fiberglass and use accepted methods, rather than relying on poor advice from the inexperienced.

A prime example is the "how to" article in a recent magazine. They advocated using sheet rock tape and a Bondo type filler to repair a cracked quarter. In another Corvette magazine that I saw on the news stand this week, the author was shown removing a fiberglass quarter with a zip gun (air chisel), which I find equally absurd.

Different years with their differenty types of glass require different repair materials. You'll need to know how to tell the difference between press moulded and SMC glass, and use appropriate materials. (In the case of the 75, the glass will ALL be SMC, so you won't have to make the determinations, just buy the right stuff)

One other common mistake in Corvette repairs made by amateurs and professional body shops alike is the use of Bondo type filler. DON'T EVER USE BONDO ON A CORVETTE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. The expansion coefficient of most Bondo type fillers is different from fiberglass composites and the two aren't compatible in the long run. Some people have gotten by with it and will argue the point, but it's just too easy to buy the right stuff and not have problems later, that can range from shrinkage that shows to deterioration of repair. Fiberglass Evercoat Company makes some excellent products, such as their panel strip adhesive that are compatible and will never cause problems if applied properly. Most any bodyshop supply can order it if they don't stock it already and most Corvette restoration supply houses sell a brand of the same type products also, although I've seen some std. polyester body filler in some Corvette catalogues too.

 

[paintdaddy]

I agree ,the work itself doesnt take a genius to figure out,but you need a shop with good equipment and some basic know how which it sounds like you have.Look at it this way,the worse thing that can happen is that you pay someone to fix it like you would have done in the first place.

 

[76L82]

I have restored a few "metal" cars..the most recent is a 70 Camaro SS that I am near completing...and I would tell you that I would much rather work on fiberglass anyday. The beauty of glass is that you can shape 'into' the material, unlike that of thin sheetmetal.

Therefore, you have more ability to blend high and low spots than you do with sheetmetal. With my Camaro, I had to weld in new quarter panels and if you don't get those almost perfect...you can never blend them in properly. In addition, it is pretty easy to add "like" material to fiberglass...ie. fiberglass onto fiberglass..but you can't add more metal on top of sheetmetal.

The real secret to this stuff is undoubtedly having a lot of patience. Take your time setting up the repair and you'll be surprised as to the level of work you are capable of. As you point out, it is also really important to use the right tools while doing the job.

 

[Mystery Machine]

Though I have never attempted fiberglass work on a vette I repaired more surfboards than I can recall and it's definitely a learn by doing kind of thing. The work is not terribly difficult but it is tricky and requires a good eye and patience. In short, I say go for it! You'll love the final product because it's something you created!

 

[Tom73]

Check out the Bloomington Gold workshops. They have a great series on body repair and painting fiberglass bodies. Sounds as if it might be worthwhile for you to make that trip this year

Workshop # 17: Fiberglass & SMC Repair (10:15 am - 12:15 pm)
Workshop # 23: Painting Your Corvette ( 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Workshop # 37: Advanced - Fiberglass & Painting (Hands On Class: 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm)

tom...

 

[MidShark]

I agree with pretty much everything that was said here. Did my first front end replacement (from the center of the wheels forward) at the age of 17 on my '57 Vette. Turned out good except for getting aquainted later with the term "shrinkage". Like 76L82, I would rather work on 'glass than metal cars any day. Replaced the floors on a '68 Camaro a couple years ago, and it was no fun at all. I think 'glass work is easy in comparison. Good Luck!
Dick