F-bodies- fiberglass or plastic body panels?
05-31-2008, 01:34 PM
#1
F-bodies- fiberglass or plastic body panels? Do 4th gens have a fiberglass front end, or is it some type of plastic? what about the roof?
how long do these panels usually last? I mean do they get brittle and crack with age?
how long do these panels usually last? I mean do they get brittle and crack with age?
05-31-2008, 01:54 PM
#2
front end is a plastic, not fiberglass. Ask me how I know 
(broken fender from deer impact). I have t tops so I have a glass roof. The part behind the t-tops I think might be plastic too but I can't say for sure. The doors are fiberglass.
My car is 10 years old and there is no sign of being brittle, the plastic still flexes a bit just as it should.
(broken fender from deer impact). I have t tops so I have a glass roof. The part behind the t-tops I think might be plastic too but I can't say for sure. The doors are fiberglass.My car is 10 years old and there is no sign of being brittle, the plastic still flexes a bit just as it should.
05-31-2008, 02:10 PM
#3
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The only metal on the car is the strap behind the t-tops or the roof if it doesnt have t's, the back quarterpanels are metal. the fenders are plastic, on ss's the hoods are fiberglass but metal on others, the doors are fiberglass the front clip is plastic along with the back bumper cover, the back strap above the bumper cover is also metal, hope that helps you out a bit, plastic panels last forever, if you look carefully you can notice where the screws are holding it, but everything holds up well..
05-31-2008, 03:38 PM
#4
05-31-2008, 04:26 PM
#6
To get technical the panels that are SMC (a strong type of fiberglass) are:
Hood on an SS, not sure on a pontiac.
Doors.
Roof panel.
Rear hatch.
Rear Spoiler.
Rear tail panel.
Rear bumper support that bolts to the frame.
Front upper bumper support.
Plastic parts:
Front fenders.
Inner rear bumper.
Urethane parts:
Front and rear bumper covers.
Styrofoam: front inner bumper support.
Hood on an SS, not sure on a pontiac.
Doors.
Roof panel.
Rear hatch.
Rear Spoiler.
Rear tail panel.
Rear bumper support that bolts to the frame.
Front upper bumper support.
Plastic parts:
Front fenders.
Inner rear bumper.
Urethane parts:
Front and rear bumper covers.
Styrofoam: front inner bumper support.
05-31-2008, 04:43 PM
#7
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05-31-2008, 04:48 PM
#8
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To get technical the panels that are SMC (a strong type of fiberglass) are:
Hood on an SS, not sure on a pontiac.
Doors.
Roof panel.
Rear hatch.
Rear Spoiler.
Rear tail panel.
Rear bumper support that bolts to the frame.
Front upper bumper support.
Plastic parts:
Front fenders.
Inner rear bumper.
Urethane parts:
Front and rear bumper covers.
Styrofoam: front inner bumper support.
Hood on an SS, not sure on a pontiac.
Doors.
Roof panel.
Rear hatch.
Rear Spoiler.
Rear tail panel.
Rear bumper support that bolts to the frame.
Front upper bumper support.
Plastic parts:
Front fenders.
Inner rear bumper.
Urethane parts:
Front and rear bumper covers.
Styrofoam: front inner bumper support.
05-31-2008, 04:53 PM
#9
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There is no "fiberglass" on an F-body. None.
SMC is completely different than Fiberglass. SMC is much more stable, much more rigid, and much better. They are very different chemical compounds.
SMC is completely different than Fiberglass. SMC is much more stable, much more rigid, and much better.
They are very different chemical compounds. 
05-31-2008, 05:01 PM
#11
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DESCRIPTION
A fiberglass reinforced thermosetting compound manufactured by dispersing long stands (>1”) of chopped glass fibers on a bath of polyester resin. The longer glass fibers in SMC result in better strength properties than standard BMC products. Typical applications include demanding electrical applications, corrosion resistant needs, structural components at low cost, automotive, and transit.
not arguing just want to know more of the difference between smc and regular fiberglass. Or can SMC be considered a type of fiber glass. If so than is it wrong to call my hood fiberglass
05-31-2008, 08:30 PM
#13
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The resins used between fiberglass and SMC are different. With fiberglass, it's like a 2-part epoxy. When you have a mold, you spray a release agent on to the mold and then lay or spray the fibers between applications of resin.
With SMC, the release agent is in the resin itself, and the parts are pressed in to shape rather than laid or sprayed. Makes for a virtually void free product. Fiberglass frequently has thin spots with air bubbles (my VFN hood, for example, had several thin spots that broke through upon inspection with "the poke").
Traditional fiberglass resin will not bond to SMC. It will 'look' like it does, oh, for maybe a year. Then the bond will fail. This is because of the release agents in the SMC fighting against the bond of the fiberglass resin. So you shouldn't repair the white fibery SMC panels with traditional fiberglass resin. You have to use SMC compatible products.
With SMC, the release agent is in the resin itself, and the parts are pressed in to shape rather than laid or sprayed. Makes for a virtually void free product. Fiberglass frequently has thin spots with air bubbles (my VFN hood, for example, had several thin spots that broke through upon inspection with "the poke").
Traditional fiberglass resin will not bond to SMC. It will 'look' like it does, oh, for maybe a year. Then the bond will fail. This is because of the release agents in the SMC fighting against the bond of the fiberglass resin. So you shouldn't repair the white fibery SMC panels with traditional fiberglass resin. You have to use SMC compatible products.
05-31-2008, 09:19 PM
#14
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The resins used between fiberglass and SMC are different. With fiberglass, it's like a 2-part epoxy. When you have a mold, you spray a release agent on to the mold and then lay or spray the fibers between applications of resin.
With SMC, the release agent is in the resin itself, and the parts are pressed in to shape rather than laid or sprayed. Makes for a virtually void free product. Fiberglass frequently has thin spots with air bubbles (my VFN hood, for example, had several thin spots that broke through upon inspection with "the poke").
Traditional fiberglass resin will not bond to SMC. It will 'look' like it does, oh, for maybe a year. Then the bond will fail. This is because of the release agents in the SMC fighting against the bond of the fiberglass resin. So you shouldn't repair the white fibery SMC panels with traditional fiberglass resin. You have to use SMC compatible products.
With SMC, the release agent is in the resin itself, and the parts are pressed in to shape rather than laid or sprayed. Makes for a virtually void free product. Fiberglass frequently has thin spots with air bubbles (my VFN hood, for example, had several thin spots that broke through upon inspection with "the poke").
Traditional fiberglass resin will not bond to SMC. It will 'look' like it does, oh, for maybe a year. Then the bond will fail. This is because of the release agents in the SMC fighting against the bond of the fiberglass resin. So you shouldn't repair the white fibery SMC panels with traditional fiberglass resin. You have to use SMC compatible products.
05-31-2008, 09:59 PM
#15
So thats why the fenders on my dually keep cracking, that incompatable repair material, and hitting car mirrors and trees. And the latest was a traffic cone at 80 so I guess I'll look for the right stuff to repair that crack with. Thanks for that info.
05-31-2008, 11:16 PM
#16
pics of said dually? I drive my dads 96 GMC occasionally. (actually using it right now)
06-01-2008, 08:16 AM
#17
You can't even see the amount of work that went into this truck, the back 1/3 of the pass fender is hand laid fiberglass. Since 2004 I've sold it and got it back three times.
06-01-2008, 03:01 PM
#18
Pics: http://jayscarsite.homestead.com/92silverado.html
You can't even see the amount of work that went into this truck, the back 1/3 of the pass fender is hand laid fiberglass. Since 2004 I've sold it and got it back three times.
You can't even see the amount of work that went into this truck, the back 1/3 of the pass fender is hand laid fiberglass. Since 2004 I've sold it and got it back three times.
06-01-2008, 07:17 PM
#19
TheWS6 hood IS fiberglass. I know I had to repair mine and when I sanded it down you can see the fiberglass.
06-01-2008, 07:31 PM
#20
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