Thread: Project Sebring GT Spyder

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Having vast experience with the same basic composition while working on Factory Five products when I owned my shop, I'd say yours is a valiant effort. You are going to want to sand the primer off though and allow the panel to bake in the direct sunlight for at least 2-3 days. This will allow you to see any "solvent pop" from the products uneven drying and outgassing. In addition, once that is done, before you do anything else, get yourself a powerful light and place it behind the patch job after the sun sets, as this will allow you to view any air bubbles or voids that will need to be addressed before the primer goes back on. Been following the thread since it's inception and I am truly impressed with your progress, now that you are here, prep will be key to a flawless finish (as flawless as you can get an old Sebring body that is). Dewaxer and degreaser must be used on the rest of the body, do that now, as anything else you do to it may create minor imperfections from the old gelcoat release agents (yes, even now), a simple wipe down is all that is required. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Bill S.

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Having vast experience with the same basic composition while working on Factory Five products when I owned my shop, I'd say yours is a valiant effort. You are going to want to sand the primer off though and allow the panel to bake in the direct sunlight for at least 2-3 days. This will allow you to see any "solvent pop" from the products uneven drying and outgassing. In addition, once that is done, before you do anything else, get yourself a powerful light and place it behind the patch job after the sun sets, as this will allow you to view any air bubbles or voids that will need to be addressed before the primer goes back on. Been following the thread since it's inception and I am truly impressed with your progress, now that you are here, prep will be key to a flawless finish (as flawless as you can get an old Sebring body that is). Dewaxer and degreaser must be used on the rest of the body, do that now, as anything else you do to it may create minor imperfections from the old gelcoat release agents (yes, even now), a simple wipe down is all that is required. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Bill S.

Bill, did you ever try using one of the UV drying lights on 'glass repairs? I picked one up at a sale and wondering if it would do the same as sunshine on repairs?

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Bill, did you ever try using one of the UV drying lights on 'glass repairs? I picked one up at a sale and wondering if it would do the same as sunshine on repairs?

I bought one the year before I got rid of the shop, did it work, yes. Did I bother to use it often, no, too much trouble to move it around the car vs letting it out gas and dry normally. Besides, nothing beats baking a fiberglass body in the sun for 10 hours. Heats up everything and then some.
Bill