FYI
In my case the car was already painted black when I bought it and original
restoration isn't an option. The car (vin 678) was originally white
acrylic. In addition to stress cracks in the usual places, I also have
crazing of the acrylic due to reaction with the paint ( see Terry's note on
this in the Brickline). Because of this, there is really no way to restore
the acrylic.
I have found that ordinary gel paint stripper and a plastic scrub pad works
very well for removing both the paint and the acrylic. Gets you down to
the base (brown) fiberglass quickly and does not appear to damage the
fiberglass as long as you rinse off the paint stripper once you have
removed all the acrylic. I stripped a few areas over a year ago and the
fiberglass has remained sound.
As I have mentioned previously, I want to try putting a layer of carbon
fiber/epoxy over the fiberglass to add structural strength and preclude any
further cracking. Plus, I think the look of carbon fiber is cool and I
would probably clearcoat it so the carbon fiber is visible. If that
experiment does not work, I will have to repaint the vehicle after fixing
the stress cracks. A local Maaco shop has experience with painting
fiberglass cars, including Bricklins.
George Schiro
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> From: GLCurley@aol.com
> To: marvmay@ix.netcom.com
> Cc: Bricklin@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: To Paint or Not to Paint?
> Date: Wednesday, February 24, 1999 12:38 PM
>
> Marvin,
> That is a rough decision. White acrylic parts are scarce. I also have a
> white acrylic body that I am trying to keep original. Terry has told me
that
> once the doors and roof are cracked and need replaced, it doesn't make
sense
> to replace them with acrylic that will only crack again. Of course the
> original reason for most of those cracks was the hydraulics putting too
much
> stress on the roof. So if you have air doors and don't drive the car a
lot I
> wonder if that advice would still hold? Anyway I understand white paint
is
> very difficult to match, so if you are going to paint only partially, you
> better find a real expert. Also, what condition is your front extension,
> headlight covers, and fenders? I might be interested in them if you
wanted to
> replace them with non-virgins before you paint, if they are in good
shape.
> George Curley (#220, 489, 670)
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