Fibreglass Repair

[nelmo]

Following on from my wing-ejection event, I need to try and repair some damage, if possible.

 

I've never done any such repair before so any advice would be helpful. Below is a pic of the damage. It looks like there is a thick layer of plastic over the fibreglass - is that right or is that how fibreglass comes out after buffing up? Is it repairable?

 

[cb750]

The gloss finish is the coloured gelcoat that's applied first when laying up the guard in its mold. The stranded glass fibre is then put down on top of that. I think I would look for a replacement part as it would be easier than trying to repair it.

Edited January 16, 2018 by cb750

[brumster]

Your challenge will be matching the gelcoat colour, to be honest. Assuming there's still some strength in what you have left there, I would just fill it conventionally (either a GRP-based one like P40, or else conventional P38 if there's not that much depth there) and then get the whole arch sprayed. I've never tried mixing gelcoat to match an existing color and I would be worried that the colour you get in the mixing pot prior to applying is a few shades different after the activator has gone off and the stuff has set, and once it's on there'll be no getting it off.

[nelmo]

OK, thanks guys - yes, I think a new part would be easier and produce a much better result. Just need to see if GBS will do one arch (they quote them in pairs)....

[fry61]

Follow Dan's advice, it still looks as if the wing has plenty of meat left, so just cosmetic fill & paint --- paint both fronts if there is a slight colour mis-match that shows 'cause there's a chance t'other one will fly if fixed the same.

[nicko]

Looks like the colour of my wings, try to find Eclipse Blue 08. Pretty good match.

Nick

[nelmo]

Follow Dan's advice, it still looks as if the wing has plenty of meat left, so just cosmetic fill & paint --- paint both fronts if there is a slight colour mis-match that shows 'cause there's a chance t'other one will fly if fixed the same.

 

Yes, I will be re-doing the other wing as well so I could just paint both - good idea. However, if GBS will do me one wing for £40 (£80 for the pair), then that's probably not much more than I'll end up paying for filler, paint etc.

 

I also had a thought of doing a wrap in some weird pattern but that's more expense again and I'll probably end up with a dog's dinner of a colour scheme <_>

[brumster]

Not a bad plan, but I suspect they won't guarantee colour match between different batches of GRP. Now, to be honest, since it's not butting up against a panel of the same colour, I doubt anyone would casually notice, so I'm not poo-pooing it... but just stating, GRP can suffer from fade over time particularly when left in the sun... some pigments are worse than others though (red traditionally was the worst)...

[nelmo]

Unfortunately, GBS want £60 for 1 wing so I'm going to try a fix with P40 first and then a vinyl wrap to avoid having to paint (always wanted to try wrapping anyway ).

[fry61]

Repair & paint as best you can, if it notices it just makes a talking point at the pub. It was caused ( in part ) By USING your car.

[chris n]

Easy repair to do!!! Wouldn't bother using P40 I would go with U-POL SMC Carbon Fibre reinforced filler.

Higher adhesion and easier to work with for a better repair

[Guest James24785]

There's a guy on eBay who does the sport style wings for £60 a pair! I bought some for my Zero and I'm more than happy with them

 

Can provide pics if needed

[fry61]

or - and just thinking out loud,

 

Make a feature of it - i.e. fill to be structural and then pick out the driving wound in a different colour - again black potentially?

 

 

And add "Ouch " near-by in red/yellow/whatever.

[nelmo]

OK, what do you think of these wraps? To be honest, I'm not sure I like any of them but there is very limited choice in this country - numerous US websites but only decent one in the UK is wrapdirect.com - anyone know any others? (I don't want a company to do the wrap for me, i want to buy the wrap to do it myself).

 

 

 

[fry61]

3rd one is a NO No --- you'll never get past the finishing post.