Temp Hail Dent Filler?

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

I want to make a one-off copy of a buddy’s hood that has a few hail dents in it. I don’t want to make a mould and I don’t want to ruin his paint – but I don’t want the dent indentions in my piece.

I was planning on waxing it and spraying PVA on it and then layup 3 layers of 5.5 oz carbon fibre on top of it. Then build up some extra resin, sand, and polish. Then make a replica of the frame underneath with the same method (probably use my 9 oz CF that I have lying around) and then bond them together for the final piece.

There are tiny dents that I’m not too worried about, but there are a couple that will probably show through and make a lot of extra work to try to hide. Is there anything I can fill those with that will harden and pop out when I’m done? I was thinking wax would be too messy and Jello would be too soft… :stuck_out_tongue: Or would a piece of packaging tape do the job or would that show through 3 layers of CF?

#2

I would think wax like parafin wax. Candles are made of parafin so buy a white candle and do it up. use a heat gun on low to melt the wax or a crock pot or cooking pot.

Wax his hood first with mold release wax. That’s all i can think of.

#3

Plasticlene or oil base clay…

#4

Fix the hood, make a mold. Make hoods for both of you.

#5

Duh… I have a pound of that stuff sitting on my shelf and I didn’t even think of it…

That would be the right way to do it, but the “buddy” I was refering to was my wife… :stuck_out_tongue: I have something like 6 yards of CF/Kevlar hybrid sitting in my basement that I haven’t opened since I got it 3 years ago. The wife is starting to drive the minivan everyday, which means I pretty-much get access to her “baby” (Infinit G35) which has hail damage we can’t afford to fix. Since we don’t have the money to fix it, I don’t really have the money to buy all the FG I’d need for a mould. And I don’t think I’m good enough to sell hoods and recoup the investment. :rolleyes:

So I figured I’d just use up the material I have lying around and (hopefully) have a sweet piece to show for it – that would also make my “inherited” ride stand out a little (let alone, be dent-free).

#6

I can pretty much guarantee the results won’t be good.

It would be good practice for working with composites, but the more logical choice would be to fix the stock hood or find another one.

#7

:frowning: You’re probably right, but I hope not.

You’re right, but then I wouldn’t have the opportunity to create something cool that will make me feel a sense of accomplishment – for the price of a little epoxy. :smiley:

#8

I agree with the opportunity to create something cool that will make you feel a sense of accomplishment. The main issues will be distortion and surface quality.
It’s going to take a lot of sanding and polishing!

#9

Have you tried removing the dents?
Is the hood metal?

Dry ice is pretty cheap - put a lump on the dent and let the sun melt - or help along carefully with a heat gun.
They might pop out for you.:smiley:

Cheers - Jim

#10

…or just bondo the dents, sand and paint the hood black then lay 1 layer of CF cloth and wet it out. Let it dry and clear coat for a CF overlay of the hood! No need for inter supports.

Then give the wife (I take it you both have the same model cars…?) your better one and you keep the CF overlay one. :rolleyes:

#11

Where do I even buy dry ice? I live in a town of 8,000 people.

We only have one car. Sorry I left so many details out. I was trying to make it “to the point” and short so I didn’t distract from the question I needed answered. :o

I just figured that if it turned out well, I’d replace the stock hood and set the stock hood in the shed and possibly repair the dents when I had time (or money). Plus - I never priced out the latch mechanism and I’m not going to put hood pins on this car - the wife probably wouldn’t approve… :frowning:

#12

I agree with werksberg, you can overlay the hood with your hybrid cloth. this will be the easiest method

#13

That’s what I would do. I’m doing this for a few motorcycle parts currently… the guys that were kind enough to give me or loan me their oem part gets a free carbon fiber part, and I let them know the paint will be damaged on the oem part.

^^ duh, read the thread first Dave. < me.

If you make a good mold you could sell the mold after your done making your own hoods. Make a kick a&& mold i would probably buy it from you for two molds… the skin top and the under frame.

#14

Super WalMart in next town? Meat packing Plant - Don’t know where in WI you live.

Just offering an idea/option to “fix” the item you’ll be molding from and make a better product without having to fix the item you are building. The better the mold - the less “futzing” you;'ll have to do later. :wink:
Any-- who – best of luck on the effort!

Cheers - Jim

#15

This is the type of thing Jim’s talking about:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/501379/remove_car_dent_with_airduster/

Although I think the dent has to be recent as the metal has a certain amount of memory.

I did a similar thing except I used a blow lamp and some pipe freezer.

#16

Well found. Note the small-ish dent that was/is at the 1:00 o’clock position is an example of one where the metal would be too deformed to use the technique on. Brought up to 21st century and available at the smallest hardware store no doubt!
Cheers - Jim

#17

Just remember not to touch the cold mist or dry ice with bare hands. Unless you really did not want those fingers anyhow? lol