Hood bow, how to fix?

[Lou's Comet]

Thanks, Lou! Bookmarked!!

Jim

Your welcome, but really no problem. I am very fortunate to do what I enjoy for a living. And anything I can do to help out a fellow car guy is good.
My lil sis says I don't work I just go and play with cars! LOL

Lou

[Joe Travers]

I am very fortunate to do what I enjoy for a living. And anything I can do to help out a fellow car guy is good.

Hey Lou, sending you a PM. Have a paint question that's off-topic here.

Joe

[Caveman49]

I used the sct (surface conditioning tool) this afternoon on the ps fender, wow, this machine does pretty good. Bought it from HF on sale, got the extra warranty with it. If it holds up with all I’m going to put it through that’ll be amazing.

I started with the 120 grit roller, but it was taking too much effort, so I changed it to the 40 grit roller, that did the job. All in all, this is going to take some time to do the whole car, we’ll see how the sct holds up as well as myself.

Pics of the before and after, worked on it for about an hour I guess. I did remove the headlight buckets, and wheel well trim. I attached the fender back on the car, made it a little easier to work on.

I plan to shoot some epoxy primer on it tomorrow, and skim coat the top fender where there are some small dents.

[Joe Travers]

I plan to shoot some epoxy primer on it tomorrow, and skim coat the top fender where there are some small dents.

Do you have room to work with a hammer and dolly for the dents?
That's one job I don't mind doing if I have a little music in the background to pass the time.

Joe

[Caveman49]

I worked it a little with the fender off, I’m still learning how to work the hammer and dolly. I do play my Ipod while in the shop, yes gotta have them jams, and a drink (beer) frig. I was wearing a regular cloth mask at first, that wasn’t getting it, had to put a respirator on, it gets bad with dust. Might take it outside when I start on it again, or put another fan on.

[Jims65cyclone]

I am very fortunate to do what I enjoy for a living. And anything I can do to help out a fellow car guy is good.
My lil sis says I don't work I just go and play with cars! LOL

Make a living doing what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.

Jim

[Caveman49]

Well I was finally able to get a little work done on the fenders with the surface conditioning tool (SCT) from harbor freight and so far I’m pleased with its performance. Did the whole ds fender today, took about 1 1/2 hours with SCT, quite a workout. I did most of the ps fender when I got the machine Friday, still have to finish it up. A couple before and after pics.

[Caveman49]

Well I tried to weld the pin holes in the hood, ain’t happening so I tried to clean it up some and now have to decide if I’m going to cut it out and try to weld a patch panel, or use some fiberglass to fix.

Thoughts?

[Lou's Comet]

Well I tried to weld the pin holes in the hood, ain’t happening so I tried to clean it up some and now have to decide if I’m going to cut it out and try to weld a patch panel, or use some fiberglass to fix.

Thoughts?

What ever you are more comfortable with.

Welding would probably be better. But more work, especially too do right.

You could also use a panel adhesive like the 3M 8115 to glue patch in. Using adhesive make sure you use a epoxy primer over it so it doesn't halo.

You could also just fill it with fiberglass. I have seen fiberglass used in very similar situations and a lot of times it held up well. Get it good and clean, rough it up good like 24-36 grit for the fiberglass to get good bite. When I do use fiberglass I use Duraglass (sp?)

Using the fiberglass would be the easiest, next I would think be using panel adhesive. And welding would be the most work imo.

Just something to think about, I have seen patches welded in that were done so-so that came through in a year or two, and seen holes patched with fiberglass and done nice that has lasted years.

Lou

[SASSY]

I fiberglassd the aerial hole in the front fender closed in the mid 70s still there, how long do you need it to last? Lol

[Caveman49]

Thanks guys, yeah my welding skills are minimal at best, I think a lot more practice and maybe I’d try a patch panel. But for now I believe I’m gonna try the fiberglass route. I’m a lot more comfortable with it then welding. I do believe it would hold up for a long time as long as I prep good, which I’ll try. Sassy, exactly, how long do I need it to last, it’ll probably last longer then me lol, I’m in my 70s….

Guys on the autobody site (Len specifically) mentions using a 3M foil tape in the repair area first before laying down the fiberglass. I may try that and see what happens. The hood still needs body work from the bow repair, who knows, with enough time working on the hood I might get it straight Eventually.

Thanks again for your feedback, always appreciate it.

[Caveman49]

Been sidetracked with other tasks, but did fiberglass and bondo the hood, here’s a shot of where it’s at currently. Hope to get back at it this week, maybe get some primer down.

[poboyjo65]

Looks good from here!!

[Jims65cyclone]

What filler did you use?

Jim

[Caveman49]

I used the 3m platinum plus that Lou recommended, it’s posted on the 1st pg of this thread (bought through Amazon). But I first, as much as possible, sprayed a rust preventative underneath and behind. Then used some aluminum foil tape and mashed it in the hole, scratched it up, and used some short strand fiberglass, sanded, and bondo’d over it. The foil tape and fiberglass is a technique recommended by Len over on the autobody forum. Seemed to work good, I’ll fine tune it after some epoxy primer and guide coat.

The platinum plus bondo is nice to work with, thanks for the recommendation Lou.