About our Firehawk Fiberglass SLP Hoods
 

Over the years I've read some about the painting bubbling. Mine is a red 2002 Firehawk Last week I took it in to get the hood repainted. Two bubbles (1 in each of the nostrils area) and a stone chip on the hood, to be repaired/painted, blended to the fenders, ect.

The tech sanded and prepped the areas, but found 4 other bubble spots that were yet to become obvious. All were in a curved area of the hood (area below the nostrils, area under the heat extractors). And he states the bubbling is coming up from the fiberglass, not due to the factory painting.

Althought my hood is A+ perfect right now, I'm nervous about going forward if new bubbles will form over time, 5-10-15 years off?

Anyone have input or ideas about this?

Mine is original 99 and garage kept in a climate controlled garage, no issues.

With fiberglass in general, air bubbles can occur, as well as shrinkage.

The largest amount of shrinkage occurs during the first few heat cycles & also the hottest point it gets subjected to at any point in it's life. Most bubbles work their way up pretty early on, the smaller ones may take longer for the paint to show them.

Bottom line, with older but not extremely aged & weathered condition parts are more stable & minor imperfections such as yours properly repaired may never show again. Harsher repairs such as crack repairs can easily gradually reappear slightly over time & extreme heat cycles, but a good few days in hot sun before final finishing will minimize them.

So;;;;; sleep well.;)

Thanks, good stuff to know. Since I'll be the only owner of this car until it dies, it'll be kept clean and maintainted well, paint and all.