Repairing Bodywork

[rwiggins951]

A recent track-day off-course excursion has left me in need of a couple minor body repairs for my Esprit.

My bodywork experience is primarily with metal. Anyone have any sites that might offer some guidance on performing repairs to the composite used on the Esprit?

Thanks!

Rod

Edited November 5, 2006 by rwiggins951

[glynherron]

A recent track-day off-course excursion has left me in need of a couple minor body repairs for my Esprit.

My bodywork experience is primarily with metal. Anyone have any sites that might offer some guidance on performing repairs to the composite used on the Esprit?

Thanks!

Rod

Hi Rod

can you be specific with what you need to repair?

Photos?

Thanks

Glyn

[rwiggins951]

Hi Rod

can you be specific with what you need to repair?

Photos?

Thanks

Glyn

No detail photos yet, but I have a section of the rocker panel and the rear quarter panel that both need some crack repair and filling. Not enough damage to justify replacement panels by any means. Nonetheless unpleasant. Roughly 4" diameter is the largest.

Regards,

Rod

[redshift]

The important thing with composites is that they absorb a lot of energy in such 'crashes'. Having absorbed this energy it can take some time (ie weeks) for it to be released, usually in the form of cracks etc.

Repairs made too early can often result in stress cracks reappearing for months and years to come.

When youre sure that the damage area is stable then you need to grind away all damaged layers until you reach homogenous material. The repair technique depends on exactly how much you needed to grind away.

For fairly thin layers I prefer to use several layers of very light glass cloth and not chopped strand matting. Once you have enough layers to get the basic contours back you can fill and sand as normal.

[jimmybondi]

You could search the net for DIY boat repairs - should be pretty much the same...

[glynherron]

You could search the net for DIY boat repairs - should be pretty much the same...

There was a good site I used for reference, but I can't find it just now.

I'll keep on looking

Found this http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/17.htm

Glyn

Edited November 6, 2006 by glynherron