Grp cracks on usual stress points

[combine]

Is it worth getting them repaired professionally , or will they just crack again . Also , if left will they get any worse ?

[RedCabbage]

Having them done professionally will certainly last longer than bodging them or leaving them. There are a few specialists in the east mids who know what they are talking about. I will try and look them up for you if no one else beats me to it.

Alternatively try posting this in General TVR Gossip.

[rev-erend]

I did mine last year. The proper fix is to chase the crack with a cut off tool even if you go all the way thru then use 2 layers of 450 gsm matt and resin on the reverse and then I used resin in the crack and chopped strand in the crack.

It sounds brutal but it will last for years rather than months if they just pop some filler in the crack.

[combine]

rev-erend said:

I did mine last year. The proper fix is to chase the crack with a cut off tool even if you go all the way thru then use 2 layers of 450 gsm matt and resin on the reverse and then I used resin in the crack and chopped strand in the crack.

It sounds brutal but it will last for years rather than months if they just pop some filler in the crack.

' cut off tool ' , what's that exactly ? What about the area around the crack ? Hasn't it got to be completely renewed and re- sprayed ?

[taimar78]

I had a stress crack, or two, across the main part of the front spoiler on my 87 280i repaired recently. When my fiberglass guy went in to work on it, he found evidence of two or three previous repairs that were not too well done. He basically ended up rebuilding the spoiler to make it right before repainting it. Like it has been said previously, if you don't do it correctly, it'll just come back that much sooner. I've always heard that if you take it down to the gelcoat and bring it back from there, your repair will last much longer.

[gsx600]

I had the same, tried to fix once by some cutting out and filling , but came back in less than a year.
Then went to town on the nosecone, dug out all the crap filler that someone else had put in, strengthened underneath ground out the top and then filled with gell coat / resin and strands.
A lot of work, but so far lasted a couple of years.

Some pictures
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.holland523/histo...

Edited by gsx600 on Thursday 13th March 08:24

[JR]

combine said:

Is it worth getting them repaired professionally , or will they just crack again . Also , if left will they get any worse ?

It's worth doing properly which may or may not be professionally.

You need to grind out smoothly until the crack has gone completely. In some areas such as around the bonnet hinges and headlight mounts it's worth strengthening with mesh. Holes then need to be filled with 450/300 matting before being finished in tissue. It will then last at least as long as the original if done properly.

If people talk about finishing with a gel coat then run a mile.

[cuneus]

I'm waiting for someone to try Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure (and no I haven't made that up)

http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Product~Captain_Tolleys...

[rev-erend]

combine said:

rev-erend said:

I did mine last year. The proper fix is to chase the crack with a cut off tool even if you go all the way thru then use 2 layers of 450 gsm matt and resin on the reverse and then I used resin in the crack and chopped strand in the crack.

It sounds brutal but it will last for years rather than months if they just pop some filler in the crack.

' cut off tool ' , what's that exactly ? What about the area around the crack ? Hasn't it got to be completely renewed and re- sprayed ?

Its an air tool - the blade being very fine .. at a guess 1mm.

[gsx600]

cuneus said:

I'm waiting for someone to try Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure (and no I haven't made that up)

http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Product~Captain_Tolleys...

Looks the sort of item Gandalf should stock

[leorest]

cuneus said:

I'm waiting for someone to try Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure (and no I haven't made that up)

http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Product~Captain_Tolleys...

I'll try it!

Based soley on the comedy value of the name alone LOL.

[Gandalf]

IMHO Creeping Crack Cure will be a waste of time & money if your trying to eliminate star and stress crazing - Cpt Tolleys is "supposed" to cure hard to find leaks!
But by all means give it a try.

Routing out the crazing right back to solid/sound material then re - stiffening from behing with couple of layers of GRP then filling with a high modulus epoxy filling compound before flatting back and re painting is the best way to go.

[rev-erend]

Forgot to mention that you need to check that the body is securely attached to the chassis - is there are loose bolts then that will allow the body work to crack.

[combine]

There is a TVR bodyshop at Towcester , I think its Newlunds ( not sure spelling is correct ) have been told they are very good , need to get their phone no. and discuss /get quote , have already got a quote from a non TVR bodyshop who did a vey good job on the front spoiler .

[schimg]

combine said:

There is a TVR bodyshop at Towcester , I think its Newlunds ( not sure spelling is correct ) have been told they are very good , need to get their phone no. and discuss /get quote , have already got a quote from a non TVR bodyshop who did a vey good job on the front spoiler .

Hi combine,

I think you mean Newlun Design just outside Towcester, Greg Lunn is the chap to speak to : 0777 337 3038, he is a nice bloke...did my paintwork on the Chimaera...and did the bespoke front end..

hope this helps

Steve.G.

[combine]

schimg said:

combine said:

There is a TVR bodyshop at Towcester , I think its Newlunds ( not sure spelling is correct ) have been told they are very good , need to get their phone no. and discuss /get quote , have already got a quote from a non TVR bodyshop who did a vey good job on the front spoiler .

Hi combine,

I think you mean Newlun Design just outside Towcester, Greg Lunn is the chap to speak to : 0777 337 3038, he is a nice bloke...did my paintwork on the Chimaera...and did the bespoke front end..

hope this helps

Steve.G.

Cheers for that Steve , helps a lot !

[GV]

combine said:

Is it worth getting them repaired professionally , or will they just crack again . Also , if left will they get any worse ?

If you live in or near london I can do the repair for you up to primer. I don't have a garage but a fine sunny day will be enough.