Hood bottom sides

cobrajeff · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 08:56 AM

On my ERA, I bought a sheet of aluminum at the local hardware store, and had my painter slit the back edge of the hood so we could insert the aluminum sheet between the hood inner and outer skins.

I used a "427 style" rivet-on scoop on my car, and the rivets help hold the aluminum in place. Then he glassed the back edge back together. Have to be a little careful how thick thick the aluminum sheet is...the first one I tried was a little too strong, and wanted to flatten out the normal curvature of the hood...had to go back and get a thinner sheet of aluminum.

Did the sand, fill, and smooth on the underside of the trunk - the curvarture there was way too tight to insert an aluminum panel in there.

regards,

Jeff

wolf k · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 09:17 AM

Jeff,
Sheet of aluminum is what I was leaning towards. Good idea to slit the back edge so you could slide it in and under. Did you use anything else to bond the aluminum to the fiberglass other than the rivets?

snakebitekit · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 09:59 AM

sand, filler,sand, filler, sand, filler, you get the idea.

Well worth the effort. When you pick up the hood and it shines like the outside. Only draw back is keeping it waxed like the outside. It is more difficult when it is on the hinges.
I also did the wheel well lips, so when you feel under the fender the lip is smooth.
We are a crazy bunch.

ack fia · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 03:18 PM

I had mine finished by Metal Morphus (SP?) and it looks great.

*13* · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 07:37 PM

I just primed & painted the the back side. I figured if the framing wasn't enough of a dead giveaway then they are going to ask anyway. The top of the hood was a little tricky in the scoop area. The FIA hood scoop is molded in. I spent a good amount of time there. Skim coat of bondo should work for you, as stated above.