FJ40 Top Fiberglass Repair Advice

[Devilmans Hand]

Hello everyone

So I sanded off the paint from the top and found all this damage. I know that this rig was rolled about 10yr ago and had a lot of bodywork to it.

This pic is of the front rivets. The cracks stretch between and connect all of them.

Driver side front

Driver side front inside. The crack runs under the cracks in the above pic and is about 10inches long. I know that water gets in through this spot when its raining.

Driver side rear

I plan to rattlecan flat black the fiberglass top eventually. I had also picked up some Bondo-Glass for little imperfections.
The driver side front top looks like it had been smoothed over earlier w/ the stuff. Since the fiberglass is cracked in the inside, I might as well put some fiberglass sheet w/ resin in the inside.

What is the best way... to fix the cracks in the top outside portion? Can i pour some resin into the cracks and smooth it out, or is the Bondo-Glass good enough? I'd just like to know my options. This isn't a show truck...but not a beater either.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

anyone?

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Not too familiar with glass work, but I would expect a local marina or boat repair would be a good choice. I also remember an episode of overhauling where these vett guys had to "re-hydrate" an old vett body because the glass had become dry and brittle...sure wish I knew what exactly they did...hopefully this can give you some ideas.

Oh, and BTW...I wouldn't paint that top black...it will just attract too much sun.

Keep us posted on your work

 

[Devilmans Hand]

Thanks for the info. I'll look around for 're-hydrating' fiberlass. As for the color...the top is only on when snow is about...so the heat will be welcome!

-Sam

 

[maximum destruction]

it looks like u only have 1 area that needs a structural repair. go to u're local parts house & buy some fiberglass cloth & a small kit of resin. grind on the bottom side lightly because it's thin. mix resin & catalyst. apply some of this to the broken area & spread out beyond the crack about 2 in.. cut 3 pieces of the cloth. the first 1 should be a little larger than the crack. the 2nd. 1 should be longer than the 1st.. the 3rd should be big enough to cover an area about 2in. around the crack. apply the first piece & soak with resin. take a small brush @ work out an air bubbles. apply the second piece the same way & so on. make sure u apply enough resin to soak the cloth thoroughly & make sure u have no air bubbles. also, be careful on the mixture of the resin. too little catalyst & she'll take forever to dry, too much, & it dries too fast & can become brittle. as far as the rest of the damage, that's just stress cracks in the gel coat. it won't cause any problems. just sand it lightly with some 80 grit & skim it with some icing or metal glaze (light body putty), sand, prime, & paint.

 

[fj404life]

max d is referring to poly resin. I would just use epoxy resin. STinks less and fixed ratio mixing of resin and hardener. If you have a Taps Plastics anywhere close they will have everything you need. Max D is on the $$$ scuff it up, lay on some fresh glass.

Glass is very easy to work with. Wear gloves! And a mask when your sanding it!

 

[Devilmans Hand]

Thanks for the advice. I'll prob get to it next weekend. I got sidetracked and took the front bib off...then snapped two bolts putting it back on...

 

[maximum destruction]

here is another tip to keep from itching. rub u'reself down thoroughly with baby powder. it will fill up u're skin pores & keep the fiberglass dust from entering them while u're grinding & sanding. then just take a cool (as cool as u can stand) bath.