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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: mattstracker on November 16, 2011, 07:31:50 AM

Title: removable hard top repair
Post by: mattstracker on November 16, 2011, 07:31:50 AM

I have a removable hard top Iam going to put on my 96 Tracker. It has a surface crack in it and it needs to be painted. What is the best way to repair it? I was thinking about using Bondo glass and the truck bed coat it.  You think this would work?

Title: Re: removable hard top repair
Post by: SnoFalls on November 16, 2011, 10:53:07 AM

How bad is the crack?

If it's just a surface "crazing" then the bed liner will hide it (and bedliner should flex enough not to have the crack "show through").

If it's a minor scratch, some bondo should be fine.

If it's a deep scratch (perhaps with broken fibers as well), grind away around the crack back to solid ground and fill (if deep enough, a bit of cloth and some resin with help strengthen).

If it's actually broken all the way through, you'll want to put a patch on the back side for strength and the do the above grind and fill.

Title: Re: removable hard top repair
Post by: tuxblacray on November 16, 2011, 12:12:38 PM

If your crack doesn't need glassing in use DuraGlass brand bondo. It is specailly formulated for fiberglass repair. It is bondo with fiberglass particles mixed in with it for additional flex and strength.  ;)

Title: Re: removable hard top repair
Post by: SnoFalls on November 16, 2011, 01:06:47 PM

X2 on duraglass brand ...

"bondo" to me is like "kleenex"

Title: Re: removable hard top repair
Post by: talonxracer on November 17, 2011, 05:12:09 AM

Do not use bondo on cracks in the gelcoat of the fiberglas hardtops. If the crack is fairly large use a awl to pop any loose gelcoat away from the crack, then wick in some thin Ca glue and hit it with some accelerator(get it at any good hobby shop). This will repair and seal the crack stronger than any other repair substance, even if the glas fibers are damaged, now you can use body filler to HIDE the crack.

If you want to use a bedliner type material for the exterior of the hardtop do not use the rhino, duplicolor, or spraycan crap. The only stuff I would reccomend is the tintable Monstaliner spray and/or roll-on bedliner.

Title: Re: removable hard top repair
Post by: tuxblacray on November 19, 2011, 03:45:15 AM

TalonRacer... your method works greata nd I have used it before as well.

I just want to say that the DuraGlass will work equally as great. I have used it for many years on fiberglass repair and not once had an issue. If it would be a problem I would not have recommended it in a post.

That is why I stated they reply as I did. If it is a minor to superficial crack the Durabond is the bomb. If it is a crack that ia open, loose, with fiberglass particles shown them glass it 1st.

Hope that better clarifies my response...

Title: Re: removable hard top repair
Post by: mattstracker on November 22, 2011, 05:50:58 AM

Thanks, guys. I got to looking at it and I think it needs some resin.