QuestionExcuse my typo but my car is actually a '79 Camaro. I am not just worried about price but availability of the piece so I will probably be making the attempt to restore it. Once again thank you.
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I am in the process of repairing the interior of my 1976 Camaro and was a little wowed at the price of certain pieces for the T-top area. Specifically the corner pieces a small piece of plastic shaped somewhat like a T. They are cracking and chipped, I am wondering if you could recommend some sort of compound that I could use to repair and in essence reconstruct the broken parts.
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Plastic becomes brittle with the passing of time and exposure to sun and heat. T tops provide plenty of heat and sun exposure. 3M rigid bumper repair compound will repair rigid plastics, but I doubt that you will be able to repair this molding without causing more damage to it. It gets quite hard, and sanding is very difficult. The compound is expensive, also. Clasic car restoration is a hobby, and can be an expensive one. Bill
AnswerAre the pieces small enough that you could make a mold of them out of clay molding putty? It should be available at most hobby stores. If you could form the clay around the part, then remove it without distorting the clay, you could brush fiberglass resin into the mold, then use some small strips of fiberglass matting to give it strength. Use at least 2 layers of matting. It will take some work, and some forming, but if it's possible, the new part will last forever. I've done more work than this to save less money, believe me. The only other option I can suggest is going used, perhaps even on ebay. Find someone selling parts from a similar car, and ask them if they have good interior trim. I've done that same thing buying pieces for motorcycles, with great success. I would attempt to repair the old ones as a last resort. To attempt repair, first clean at least a couple times with mineral spirits to remove any armor all. It can linger there for years. Sand the inside of the parts with 80 grit sandpaper. Leave set out over night, to let the solvent evaporate from the plastic. This is a crucial step. Put the pieces together, holding them together with aluminum tape. Generously coat the inside of the pieces with repair compound, followed by a layer of fiberglass matting saturated with repair compound. Simply place matting on a mixing plate, and cover with compound using a bondo spreader. Pull off, flip over, and coat the other side. It's messy, use some gloves. Then, apply to the backside, over the compound you spread inside the moldings. You need to have everything ready before hand, repair compound won't stick to compound thats already cured without sanding it first. It also sets up quickly, so have all your ducks in a row before doing the repair. If the outside looks pretty good, and the cracks don't show thru, you can get away with just painting the parts. If there are voids, or you had pieces missing, you will need to fill the outside of the molding. Scuff with 150 grit, cove any cracks that have voids. blow clean, wipe with a damp rag. Apply compound, let set up for at least an hour. Overnight if it's cold outside. Sand with 150 grit until smooth. Scuff any unsanded areas with a grey scuff pad. Now, to get back texture, you will need to use SEM texture coating. Apply 3 coats. Now, sand with 600 until you get a texture you like. It won't be exactly like the original, but it will look good. Then, paint with the interior color of your choice. Now, see why I suggested replacing the part, or forming a new one? Repair is a bitch, and won't guarantee results you can live with. Bill
