Insert Cracks

[VX MileHigh]

When I looked at the back of my insert, it sure looked like blown fiberglass. If I rough that up, I would think that it would stick fairly well. Does anyone have any additional information about the materials in the hood insert? The upper surface may be a different story but since I will be taking that seam down an 1/8 of an inch or so, I hope that it will stick. I have seen pictures of several inserts that have been LineX'ed, I am just not sure that is the look that I want. My body work takes forever to get it the way that I want it. So far, I have redone the insert three times because it just isn't right. This time I am hope that I can get it done right. Now, painting is where my skills are lacking.

[tom4bren]

The last post in this thread is where I mentioned the material:

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=16054

I never bothered to check into it further (& never fixed my old insert either). I procrastinate real bad.

[VX MileHigh]

Your reply caused me to do some additional research. If SMF is what the hood insert is made of then fiberglass resin should work. Researching SMF I found that it is Syntethetic Mineral Fibers, i.e. fiberglass, rockwool and other materials. I tried to find if there was a special resin but I can't seem to find any. I worked with different types of fiberglass in the past and used the same resins. There are some resins that are for harder final products, whitewater resin comes to mind. I am not sure what the jet ski person was talking about. There is a different method that Chevy uses on Corvette bodies but they can still be repaired with regular fiberglass resin and any number of SMF materials. I am still wondering it there is something that is done differently for the top surface. I don't see any reason that an epoxy of any type could be used to fix the crack from the top and a normal resin could be used to strengthen the back. The only thing is that both resin and "epoxy" are both two part epoxies. I am not trying to argue and I would really like to know if I am not taking something into account.

[tom4bren]

I'm guessing that the jetski guy just didn't want to work on it.

Like I said, I'm willing to assume that with adequate prep, glassing it will work out fine.