[john69]

Can anyone tell me how to repair hair line crack that follows the body seam on the rear quarters of a 77 vette? I have stripped the whole car and trying to get it ready to paint but not sure how to repair these cracks. It appears there is some kind of filler in these seams now.

 

[STATUTORY GRAPE]

Apparently, someone else has already tried to fix the crack and didn't do a very good job. Maybe grind out the old filler and replace it with some fiberglass filler, and sand smooth???? GOOD LUCK.

 

[speede5]

It is not uncommon for thew seams to split on older vettes, that filler may be the adhesive used to bond the two panels. It can dry out and crck. I'm not sure of the fix. I do know that if you want ot keep this car it is very important to fix it right or it will come back to haunt! this guy seems to know a bit about it---http://www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=111&TopicID=3

[ February 02, 2003: Message edited by: speede5 ]</p>

 

[HotRodMan]

I have a 69 Vette and this is the procedure I used to repair cracks I had. Get behind the panel and clean and sand the area on both sides of the crack for its full length and a little further(about 3 inches wide) down to the gel coat. Put two layers of fiberglass and resin about 2 inches wide. Let dry over night.

On the front side of the panel remove any loose paint and material and sand the area down to the gel coat, about an inch each side of the crack. Use fiberglass impregnated body filler in the crack and block sand smooth. Now prime and paint the area, and I have never had a crack come back after repairing it in this manner.

 

[Stinkin_V8]

It's tough to get in behind the panels to repair from behind, and some 'Vettes will have a backing strip behind that seam that will keep you from getting at it as well.

I always just grind it out from the outside. 1.5" on either side of the seam should be lots, just remember that the seam goes the entire length of the panel even if it hasn't cracked YET. Grind it out in a V shape and lay a few strips of fiberglass matt in there to build it back up to level. Sand, fill and prep for re-paint. Don't use woven fiberglass mat, use the random-direction stuff and a good quality resin from a body shop supply store.

Once you're done, it should be structurally one piece and your cracks won't come back. Wear a dust mask when you grind!

 

[john69]

Thanks everyone for your help, I. think I'll just leave this one for the body shop to do.