Spider webbing on paint???

[mcurbo]

Hello, again... I am still in the process of finding my car. I have found a black 93.5 that's priced right, and looks extremely nice in the pics.

I wanted to get some info from you guys on some of the imperfections mentioned in the description, before I gave the guy a call.

Some "spider webbing" on the front and rear bumper was mentioned. I can not see it in the pictures, but the car has a nice shine which makes it difficult.

How hard is this to take care of? I would hope to not have to worry about painting my car for quite some time, much less first thing off. Any ideas on cost? I have heard the term mentioned on this forum before. How common is it? How noticeable is it generally? Is it strange to hear of it on a car of this age?

Thanks in advance for any help - Mike

[lotusguy]

mcurbo said:

Hello, again... I am still in the process of finding my car. I have found a black 93.5 that's priced right, and looks extremely nice in the pics. I wanted to get some info from you guys on some of the imperfections mentioned in the description, before I gave the guy a call. Some "spider webbing" on the front and rear bumper was mentioned. I can not see it in the pictures, but the car has a nice shine which makes it difficult. How hard is this to take care of? I would hope to not have to worry about painting my car for quite some time, much less first thing off. Any ideas on cost? I have heard the term mentioned on this forum before. How common is it? How noticeable is it generally? Is it strange to hear of it on a car of this age? Thanks in advance for any help - Mike

Mike,

"Spider Webbing" , or more appropriately 'Spider Cracking' occurs when the body panel, bumper or what have you is stressed. Unlike a steel-bodied car, the GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) which the Esprit is made of has, by comparison, a great deal of flexibility. It can take a minor impact and unlike the steel body of a car, which will dent, GRP will return to it's original shape.

But, in order to give a smooth paintable appearance to the body surface, the GRP is topped with a coat of GelCoat prior to receiving any paint. This GelCoat is much less flexible, in fact, it is somewhat brittle.

If the body is flexed, or impacted such as by a stone, car door etc., while the GRP will return to shape, the GelCoat will sometimes crack. These cracks will often radiate from the point of impact in several directions yielding the classic 'Spider Crack'. Subsequently, the paint surface will also break along the crack.

While this does nothing to the structural integrity of the piece, it can mar the appearance. My 19 Y.O. '85 Turbo had two small spider cracks, which aren't even visible unless I point them out. Most Esprits will get some cracking over time.

The proper fix is to route out the crack using a dremel, making the route wider than the original crack, but without digging in so deep you attack the GRP, and then filling it with GelCoat. This prevents it from coming back. Then you sand, prep, paint and buff. Depending on the number of cracks and their severity, it's really only slightly more work than repairing stone chips. If done properly, the repair becomes invisible.

If the car is in otherwise good shape, I wouldn't simply pass on it. Have the repair estimated and use this as a bargaining chip in your negotiations. It's a good idea to take it to someone who is experienced with fibreglass repair such as a Covette Specialist or even a Marine Repair Facility since this is very similar work. Hope this helps. Good Luck! Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE

[kylie]

Mike this is sometimes a common problem with composite shelled cars, fibreglass is always on the move. In this case its hard to say exactly what it is without having a close look at it. But does sound like it has some sort of impact damage to me. I posted this thread a while back with some examples of imperfections in gelocat/painted finishes using fibreglass. I work as a chemist/technician in this industry so can help you with any potential problems.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=39995&f=17&h=1&hw=gelcoat+cracks

These small cracks are an easy fix. If the cracks are small yes then they can be bogged with gelcoat, but bigger cracks need to be worked with a 2:1 ratio of Resin to glass for strength and hit with heat for good cure before painting.

Cheers
Kylie
89Esp Turbo

[mcurbo]

Thanks to the two of you for your help/advice.

Basically, I gather that it is not an unheard of problem, and quite possibly could be an easy fix depending on the severity.

I do like the idea of it being on the bumpers. I can remove them and have them worked on. If it is not overly noticeable, I can hopefully wait until next winter. I already have people around me (with the exception of my wife, God love her) saying this is one of the craziest things I have ever done, and that is saying a lot! I sure don't want to be in a position of showing up with a car that the first thing everyone points out is its imperfections...

Thanks again - Mike

[dr.hess]

Hey Mike:
Most people's initial response on seeing my Esprit is "Wow." Finding spider cracks is way down on the list, as in non-esistant. Pretty much all fiberglass cars will get them eventually.

Dr.Hess

[wedg1e]

I'd rather have cracked paint and gel than a stone-chipped tin box, any day.

Ian