Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Tech Tips, Tech Questions => Topic started by: GTRS Fiero on July 26, 2020, 08:24:13 am

Title: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 26, 2020, 08:24:13 am

If a sunroof is replaced w/fiberglass, as the roof heats and cools, do the different materials separate?

The mating surfaces were prepared very well.

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: TopNotch on July 26, 2020, 10:06:53 am

Are you talking about making a duplicate of the glass sunroof, only out of an opaque material?

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 26, 2020, 10:12:09 am

No.  Filling the hole, to make a solid roof.

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 02, 2020, 10:27:41 am

With all the enthusiasm for this project, the outcome is in doubt.  There must be a reason I haven't seen other people doing this.

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: scottb on August 02, 2020, 10:41:05 am

Thadriver is the one to ask about this, but I don't think that fiberglass will bond correctly to the roof panel. It may stay for a year or so but will eventually crack

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 03, 2020, 06:43:02 pm

I see in Ronnie Finger's latest episode that he bonded fiberglass to SMC.  Not that he knows everything about this, but it should work as well for me as it did for him.

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: scottb on August 03, 2020, 07:21:21 pm

My concern is that it won't be a lasting repair

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 05, 2020, 12:28:39 am

Yes, I worry about that, too.  He spent much more time on his repairs.  When I bought the stuff, they gave me specific preparation instructions.  They sold me stuff that is supposed to work, according to them.

Maybe JBWeld would have worked better.   :)

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 09, 2020, 12:30:54 pm

Since I see ThaDriver is on, wanting to make sure he sees this.

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: Tha Driver on August 09, 2020, 05:04:29 pm

I don't know how they filled in the sunroof, but the only correct way would be to cut the lip off of the roof around the opening, grind the underside with a 24 grit disc, & use bonding strips to 'glass in a fiberglass panel - using SMC compatible resin & a layer of mat (between the panels/bonding strips).
I doubt whatever they did will last...
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Custom Fiberglass Parts (http://angelonearth.net/customfiberglass/)

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 09, 2020, 06:08:10 pm

Well, it was me.  They said it would bond to SMC, but it's supposed to be fiberglass.  It's supposed to last 1 year (or until the kid's first accident).  Whichever comes first.  We cut/drilled notches in the edges.

The question is, will this bond?  I almost think I could've filled it with rubber RV roofing sealer, and it would've lasted for a year...looking like heck.

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: Tha Driver on August 09, 2020, 09:25:16 pm

I still have no idea what you did to fill in the hole...

Title: Re: Fiberglass vs SMC?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 09, 2020, 09:39:35 pm

We put a board in.  Glued in place.  Fiiberglass over that.  Not my thing, so it got what it got.