Thread: Anyone use USBody fiber glass parts?

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I was looking at their hoods and wanted to see is you guy knew what kind of reputation they have?

As far as aftermarket body parts, they're ok....Just don't expect them to be a bolt on with no fitting required!!!! None of the aftermarket 'glass parts I've ever used are....

are there any you might recommend over others?

Nope, they're all about the same but I would put US Body towards the top of the list.... Just wanted to caution you that the parts will more then likely need some tweaking for a proper fit----But then, what doesn't?????

I've had a couple buddies buy fiberglass frontends from them. Fitment was a problem for them as well. But I also had a buddy that bought from Harwood and he had the same trouble. Its typical of fiberglass. The trouble I would have, would be service after the sale. Make sure they are helpful when you call and go with your gut feeling. It will make a difference in you mood later if you need help from them and they avoid your corespondance.

David

I have ordered the hood should be here within 6-8 weeks . The price was very good compared to others , will it was on sale at 100 dollars cheaper than the normal sale price. Also on their site they do state that hoods will need to be trimmed up a little to fit. That brings up my next question , how do I do that?

I have tools sanders, sprayers ,etc. but can some one kind of walk me through the process? Once I sand the edges do I need to seal with primer?

yup, glass sands to fitment easily. Shouldn't take much more then 80 grit on a Sander, not a DA as that becomes a slooooooow process. Technically, should seal the edge with gel coat, but a couple thick coats of primer with sufficient dry time between them works fine.

If I were cutting/sanding thru the existing gel coat and if I didn't have any to slobber on, then I would be using an epoxy primer rather then a normal acrylic or 2K for better moisture protection. The epoxy will form an impervious coating where the other primers wont.

My brother is in the process of fitting two new fenders and a hood from US Body on his 64 falcon. The fender body lines are a bit fuzzy, not as sharp and crisp as the steel door lines, and the fitment needs work because of the thickness of the glass. The hood is bent, bowed and distorted, probably from the way it was lying on a pallet or storage shelving? He kind of regrets buying them now and even thought about going back to steel but he already has the money in them and he wants the early gasser look, so he is stuck.
I am with Dave when he says that no fiberglass is without problems. I built two 32 bantam roadsters, a 55 t-bird and a 27 "T" all for drag racing, all from different companies, and each of the bodies had their own problems, you just have to go into expecting that when you build a race car. I totally expect something better from a full bodied street rod company though.
John

What are options for mounting the hood?

Hinged (not with stock springs!) or pins, take your pick

It would have to be pin on its a "Race Weight" hood.