Hey Jeff-
I really do not want to be the bearer of bad news, but you might
want to rethink your floorpan strategy. It would seem that you are at a
crucial period in the car's progress toward rusty oblivion. I really think
you should take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and have the whole
steel floorpan thing done now, and forego the stopgap fiberglas idea. Even
with the best rust 'converter' sauce, a fiberglas layer will probably trap
moisture and make the rust progression go even faster, and may lead to some
really serious damage to the side rails. You don't want that!!! Bite the
Bullet, man! no sense doing the job twice, anyway- Best of luck in
whatever works best for you!!
Bob Westerdale
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff McNeal [mailto:jmcneal@ohms.com]
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2000 1:59 PM
To: Spitfire List
Cc: Triumph List
Subject: Temporary Fiberglass Footwells?
Hi everyone. Once I get started on one thing (like getting my seats
reupholstered), I can't stand to just let the car sit there without
embarking on another project. So here I go.
I've removed my carpets to deal with the rotting floorpans that I've known
about since buying the car. For reference and a look-see at what I'm
dealing with, see:
http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/seats_floors.shtml
The good news is, the passenger side isn't nearly as bad as I thought. In
fact, it looks pretty good with the exception of a small area of
rust-through in the footwell that I'm going to patch with fiberglass until I
have both floorpans removed and replaced. I really don't have to replace
the passenger side, but I think that I would be better served in the long
run by doing both.
In the meantime, the driver's side footwell is a real fright. Lots of decay
and I'm not even sure what's holding up what's left of the rusted metal
besides the undercoating beneath it. I know that I could cut out some sheet
metal and pop rivet around the sides as a temporary fix until my body man
has the time to do the job, but I think I'd rather apply fiberglass in the
well itself, up over the lip in front and over the lip of the transmission
hump and to really seal things and provide a strong footwell in the
meantime. I DON'T want to make it difficult for the body man to remove it
when it comes time to replace the floors, however.
I'm really afraid to drive the car even temporarily the way it is. I'm
afraid my foot could go right through that brittle, crumbling mess. So
here's my question: Is it possible to line the footwell area with a
substance that the fiberglass resin will dry against, but not adhere to?
Sort of like greasing the cake pan, if you will. Or using wax paper. I'd
like to create a snug fiberglass "insert" that I can use, but easily remove
when the time comes.
Best wishes,
Jeff in San Diego
'67 RHD Spitfire Mk3
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