The Silver Freak Project (Page 22/59)
Blacktree OCT 04, 04:26 PM
The rear clip and quarterpanels are bonded together. I roughed up the mating surfaces with 50-grit sandpaper, and glued them together with epoxy resin. See photos below.





The screws are just temporary, to hold the panels together until the epoxy hardens.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 10-02-2017).]

Jake_Dragon OCT 04, 04:59 PM
What epoxy are you using? I was going to get some fusor body adhesive but haven't seen any local so I will have to order it.
Blacktree OCT 04, 05:40 PM
I use West System epoxy resin with my fiberglass. So that's what I used to bond the panels. It's just a personal preference. To be honest, SMC resin (or the Lord Fusor product you mentioned) would probably be better.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 10-04-2008).]

Blacktree OCT 18, 06:14 PM
More on the rear clip. After the epoxy hardened, I sanded the molding grooves to remove the paint, and filled them with fiberglass. In the photo below, the new fiberglass has already been sanded.



While I was waiting for the fiberglass to harden, I inspected the exposed frame sections for rust. I did find some minor rust along the back edge of the roof. So I cleaned it up and painted it with POR-15. I also painted the rest of the exposed frame parts with POR-15, just for good measure. And I replaced the old, cracked-up weather stripping with new stuff from the hardware store.



The rear clip has been re-installed. But unfortunately, the Fiero's water pump failed. So the body work has been temporarily put on hold.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 10-02-2017).]

Monkeyman OCT 18, 07:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

Here's another update. Over the last few days, I shaved the door trim.

When I removed the door trim, I noticed there were a couple screws underneath that attach the door skin to the door frame. If I left the screws in place and covered them up, the door skin would be permanently attached. I decided to remove the door skins from the car, to see if these screws were really necessary. They didn't appear to be very important, so I deleted them. The rest of the door fasteners could be re-used, because they aren't in the area that's going to be filled.

In the photo below, you see the door frame with the outer skin removed. I've marked all the fasteners (except for the 4 rivets on the bottom) with arrows. The blue arrows are the fasteners that can be re-used. The red arrows are the two screws under the door trim that I decided to delete.



I decided to do the fiberglass / filler work with the door panels removed. Removing the door skins (and re-installing them) was a PITA, but it made the body work easier. I sanded all the paint from the door trim groove, plus about 1.5" on either side. Then I filled the groove with fiberglass. It took 6 layers of glass fiber mat to fill it. Below, you see the raw fiberglass.



Then I sanded it flat, and filled the low spots with epoxy-based putty. In the photo below, the putty has been applied, and then sanded. I used a marker to circle spots that needed another coat of putty.



After that, I sanded it smooth and sprayed on some primer. Below, you see the door skins ready to be re-installed. Notice the holes for the door locks.



Also notice that I left a crease along the top edge of the trim channel, instead of rounding it off. That crease coincides with the seam between the hood and fenders. I plan to carry that crease all the way back to the rear fascia, where it will meet the seam between the decklid and fascia.

My next task will be to shave the trim from the rear quarterpanels. That will involve removing the rear clip and quarterpanels. So it ought to be fun.



Looks great!! May I suggest you find a way to smooth out or flatten the outer surface of the door handle? The stock handle matches the ribbed trim but will look out of place with the trim removed.
doublec4 NOV 08, 08:21 PM
bump! its been too long! lol
carbonfiber_kid JAN 03, 12:29 PM
they say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I would bet you have inspired many Fiero owners with your projects, I know i have been.
Nohbdy JAN 03, 06:52 PM
most definitely. if i had the money/time id be doin this 2 my car. great thread here, one of the few that i can sit here and read straight thru. btw watever happened? been a month or 2 since there was an update.
85SEnochie JAN 07, 01:12 PM
It's prob. too cold for any updates but a little bump anyway
doublec4 JAN 10, 12:04 AM
He lives in Florida, no excuses about being cold

updates please a few of us are still watching this project!