IH Hood Repair– Passenger Corner
One of the repairs on my International Hood was for the passenger corner. This portion of the hood was damaged before I got it, and was COMPLETELY MISSING!
Time, effort, epoxy, and fiberglass, allowed me to successfully completed the repair. This SMC hood will be repaired as good as new!
Damaged area to be repaired
The hood was placed upside to allow for work access. The repair area had several cracks and breakage areas. The repair began with surface preparation.
Surface Preparation on the repair area
I used a grinding disc to remove material on the front and back side of the repair to scarf the repair into the large area. Good surface preparation gives us a clean area that can hold a bond and create a transition area. I also drilled some holes in the end of the cracks to stop their propagation.
The back side was prepared too
The back side was prepared for repair by grinding the surface to allow for good bonding by the epoxy resin and glass reinforcement.
Beginning to add material
I started to add epoxy and fiberglass back onto the fender. I had to gradually move back out to where the existing fender used to be. I worked both sides bit by bit and allowed it to start curing before adding more.
Getting the shape back
I actually went a bit beyond the shape I needed. This allowed me to get the surface planes in the right spot, and later return and trim back the proper hood edge.
Back side getting rebuilt
The back side of the repair also got transitioned into the hood and out to meet the front repair area.
Grinding the repair
After most of the rebuilding was complete, some grinding got it back into shape to allow an evaluation of the repair progress.
Grinding on the back
The back side was cleaned up as well, getting the appropriate part thickness back to where it was originally intended. A nice transitioned surface was created, and all sharp edges were removed.
Bodyfiller for cosmetics
I used some bodyfiller to smooth the repair and restore the cosmetics of the hood. I could also have used epoxy, and it would have bonded better. Polyester bodyfiller is less expensive, easier to apply, and easier to sand. I smoothed the surface and feathered it back into the surrounding area to allow for a consistant surface.
Application of Primer-Surfacer
Urethane Primer-Surfacer is applied to the whole area to allow for removing the sanding/grinding scratches and preparing the surface for paint application.
The repair is complete, and the hood looks back like it was original. This repair, and many others, can be detected with some investigation of the back side of the repair area. This will be a very durable repair and will last as long as the rest of the composite body panel.
Automotive Application: Pickup Box
Fiberglass Composites have been used for ages in the automotive industry. There are advantages to doing this, including corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and weight savings. Toyota pickup trucks from the late 1980′s were made with steel sheetmetal beds that are very rust-prone in winter climates, especially those with salted roads. The response was to use a material that did not rust–fiberglass!
Toyota Pickup Box
This Toyota pickup box has fiberglass sides to eliminate the corrosion problem. The floor and front bulkhead are steel, as well as the missing tailgate. Using composite surely eliminated the rust problems associated with these vehicles, especially since it was used in the most apparent cosmetic areas that are most visible.
This pickup bed is not on a truck, because the frames of these trucks were also extremely rust-prone as well.
Fiberglass Fertilizer Box
Composites’ resistance to rust and harsh chemicals along with the ability to form complex one-piece shapes allows for its use as a fertilizer box on an old corn planter.
This piece was removed from the original International Harvester corn planter, but not because of any problems with the fiberglass! You can see the weathered appearance of the unit from the many years of weather exposure. Glass fibers cover the surface as the resin has eroded away.
The design of this piece included a top lid and a mounting/feed base. Made entirely of one piece, it has remained structurally sound and durable for its purpose. The harsh fertilizer chemicals and weather conditions have not affected this piece to the point of failure.
Fiberglass Truck Toppers
One of the composite applications that has been around for many years is fiberglass truck toppers. Styles and trends have changed, but there is still a level of usefulness and utility associated with this application. Besides being dent resistant, lightweight, and strong; the fiberglass will not rust or rot. It does, however require maintenance and upkeep for maximum aesthetics.
An example of a truck topper that has been left to the Michigan weather for at least ten years.
Fiberglass Truck Topper extremely weathered
This truck topper could very easily be returned to good working order. Some sandpaper and paint could fix this topper up to as good as new condition. It is still very structurally sound, and the only aging affect has been on the surface which got a little funky with mold and mildew.
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