Hood Seperating

[Bill Hanlon]

New member any assistance is appreciated. Looking for the best practice to correct a hood that is separating. Can any one recommend a glue or epoxy that will hold up.

Thanks, Bill Hanlon

Edited March 6, 2014 by Bill Hanlon

[WayneC]

I've not done this type of repair, but I also own a Corvette and I frequently peruse Corvette forums.

Recommendations depend on what areas are separating... around the edges, or the center cross-bracing.

Corvette hoods are produced as 2 panels (inner support structure and outer skin panel);

in this case those 2 panels are bonded at the factory with a bonding adhesive at the hood perimeter, and with scattered "gumdrop" spots of bonding adhesive between the center cross-bracing and the underside of the hood skin.

I know this one is generally recommended for full-surface bonding of panels on early corvettes (outer perimeter of hood):

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/EVC0/870/N0481.oap?ck=Search_N0481_-1_-1&pt=N0481&ppt=C0171

Others can be used:

Ecklers bonding adhesive: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bonding+adhesive&x=0&y=0

West System epoxy & hardener: http://tinyurl.com/2vfxxul

On the center cross-bracing, the failing gumdrops are removed and surface remnants sanded off completely; these are recommendations for gumdrop replacement adhesives:

3m 5200 marine adhesive

a variety of Liquid Nails adhesive in a caulking gun tube that says it is for use with fiberglass)

ask local automotive paint supplier for a quality "hood gumdrop adhesive"

3M black urethane windshield bedding compound

Thorough cleaning/sanding of mating surfaces is particularly important underhood, because oils and fuels may have contacted the surfaces.