Body Shop People INSIDE!

[ar0ck]

So I stumbled upon an opportunity for a fiberglass hood at a relitivly good price, but I had an idea of customizing it to become a one off peice. I just wanted to see if it was possible, or would it cost a rediculous amount of money?

The Hood:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/s-300.jpg

My Idea:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/s-300copy.jpg

The basic idea would be to remove that pointed peice in the middle, obviously flatting that section of the hood out and creating a part SS part Cowl Hood...

Comments, Ideas?

[Tru2Chevy]

I think that would look really cool, but the cost would prolly depend on how that bulge is formed.

- Justin

[V]

For a professional that works with fiberglass on a regular basis, i think that would be pretty easy. If you could get pics of the under side of the hood, i think that would help too. If the hood has two structual layers, see if the buldge is formed on top or if its clearly visable from the underside. I am not an expert but id assuem to do that, youd cut along the buldge so the "v" is removed, then youd glass it over with fiberglass mesh and resin from the underside, so its still a tiny bit lower than level on the top. once thats solid and set, you would then fill it to be even or slightly higher than the surrounding area of the "v". finally once thats set, you sand it down so its level or has a slight crease in it to match the lines of the hood and nose.

[ins0mnia24]

Just like SmokingSS said it would depend on if the under side of the hood is shaped the same way or if it is a 2 piece hood which would be TOP+ Underside
It would be easiest to delete the buldge if the underside of the hood is flat but if the underside is indented upwards just like the top then it would be a little bit harder but either way wouldnt cost that much to do. especially if you have the right tools
You would need a nice air or electric dremel with a cutting disk blade on it to cut out the buldge. The dremel would work easiest because it will allow you to get the blade almost flat with the surface area and you will be able to cut most of the buldge on your 1st cut
Then depending if you have to cut the underside also you would 1ST have to lay a backing piece of fiberglass mat larger than the hole so it bonds to the existing hood parts on the underside of the hood allow that to dry a few hours
And that will work as a Dam to keep the rest of the stuff from falling or sagging
And then you can either just fill the hole with Fiberglass resin or the better way would be to use more mat, cut to the shape of the hole wet each piece then roll out all the air pockets then keep applying mat until your desired thickness is reached
You can roll the fiberglass mat in a Paint tray with a 2 or 3 inch paint roller and sleeve the would allow you to roll the resin over each side of the mat flipping to do the underside than laying it on the surface then you would use the paint roller again to roll out any air bubbles underneath the Mat
The More air bubbles you get out the better off you will be when it comes to sanding it when its dry, Because you incounter less air pocket holes.
You won't be able to do it 100% perfect but if you take your time you can get it pretty good.
The less air pockets you incounter while sanding the less Bondo or body filler you have to use .
It would be ideal to only have to fill light pin holes and air pockets this will insure no filler cracks in the future after you paint the hood but i'm sure it wouldnt cost very much to have that touched up at whatever body shop is going to paint your hood
If you bondo or fill the hood your self make sure you find a good marine grade filler or bondo that Sticks to fiberglass and can also withstand heat
In all it would take you very long to do it aslong you have access to a Air compressor air dremil and palm sander with rough and light grit, Though if you have to electric tools wouldnt hurt either but air tools would be faster for you also a sanding block would be needed also.
If you have access to all the supplies it would only take you 1 Saturday afternoon to finish it and you could have it at the paint shop by Monday
Transam4life where you located? you anywhere near Bergencounty if you have the tools the supplies isnt that much i can snag it from work and it sounds like a fun little project. I can get the fiberglass mat, Resin, and Mek P which acitivates the fiberglass so it hardens

[Mike]

if you can get some good pictures of both sides of the hood, i can show them to my dad and try and get you a price

[bokey]

So I stumbled upon an opportunity for a fiberglass hood at a relitivly good price, but I had an idea of customizing it to become a one off peice. I just wanted to see if it was possible, or would it cost a rediculous amount of money?

The Hood:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/s-300.jpg

My Idea:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/FistFullOfDinero/s-300copy.jpg

The basic idea would be to remove that pointed peice in the middle, obviously flatting that section of the hood out and creating a part SS part Cowl Hood...

Comments, Ideas?

on a tangent... your idea the cowl looks like the camaro emblem :lol:

anyway. That does look pretty intreting. Are you going to make it functional? I think that it would be fairly easy; your best bet would be to ask around at a few body shops to get an idea of what your up against (IMO that is).