Fiberglass question

mike p. · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2012, 05:34 PM

Had my Shell Valley Cobra about a year now and enjoy it very much.
When I bought the car it had a small split on the very side edge of the hood. I have kept an eye on it and very slowly it has grown a small amount.
Today I noticed that the underside of the hood has a hairline crack right under the edge of the hood scoop.
My question is, is there an easy fix for this problem or do I need to see the fiberglass people?
Hate to think about trying to match paint on a repair.
Thanks in advance.
Mike

DanEC · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2012, 06:54 PM

The one on the edge of the hood could be a slight separation between an inner panel and outer panel that are bonded around the hood edge. I think I would leave it alone as long as you can bear it. Once it gets to the point you no longer can ignore it, you could drive a couple of tooth picks or edge of a popcycle stick into the separation to open it up slightly, you can then mix up some epoxy and work into the crack, pull the tooth picks or popcycle sticks and clamp it together. If the epoxy is wiped off as it is clamped tight it should be almost invisible.

I'm not sure about the one by the hood scoop. If possible you might take a picutre of it and post here.

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 05:18 AM

Is the crack under the edge of the hood scoop just seen when the hood is up or is it on the top? Also does it seem to go all the way through? The above method for fixing a separation has worked well many times. The hood crack could just be one part of the inner liner or the top cracking a little. That may require a fiberglass person it it is in a painted spot.

Ron

mike p. · #4 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the suggestions so far.
Are you talking about the 2 part epoxy that mix's together?
The crack under the hood is only on the bottom part of the hood. So far its just starting to crack the paint (all on the bottom, nothing showing on the top).
The crack is not wide enough to spead yet. Is this something that happens or just a one time problem?
Thanks again, Mike

PSB · #5 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 08:27 AM

Is your scoop molded in or is it riveted/bolted on? I can't imagine why the hood would be cracking, as it shouldn't have any stress on it other than vibration.

Pete

mike p. · #6 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 09:15 AM

The hood scoop is molded on.
Thanks

DanEC · #7 (**permalink**) 05-15-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike p.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.
Are you talking about the 2 part epoxy that mix's together?
The crack under the hood is only on the bottom part of the hood. So far its just starting to crack the paint (all on the bottom, nothing showing on the top).
The crack is not wide enough to spead yet. Is this something that happens or just a one time problem?
Thanks again, Mike

They make regular fiberglass bonding agents to adhere fiberglass panels but for something small like the edge of the hood, I would just use a little JB Weld or similar 2-part epoxy.

I have an old Corvette and making repairs of loose bond joints and stress cracks is a routine part of all re-painting efforts. No way to tell if you will have further instances. Most Cobra bodies are fairly high quality and durable. If you end up repairing this area with epoxy, I'm pretty sure it will not repeat in the same place.

You still might post a picture of the underside of the hood. Sight unseen - I kind of wonder if it might be a small area of body filler that is coming loose. If it is, then that will eventually have to result in some body and paint work - but it probably won't show on the top side.