Fiberglass Repair Suggestions

[bhollehday]

Hi guys, I have a question about a hinge that is breaking out from the fiberglass from fatigue and age. It looks like the metal hinge is just molded into the fiberglass and now it needs some more support.

I was thinking about just filling it up with epoxy (between the existing fiberglass and the metal hinge), but thought someone might recommend to strengthen it more by adding some fiberglass in there or maybe its a bad idea, but I dont know. Im new to fiberglass.

[FRED SMAILES]

I , like others would be happy to offer suggestions but I/we need a little more input.
The picture you posted is great but more angles are necessary in order to
get a better idea what your up against.
Fred

[bhollehday]

Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES

I , like others would be happy to offer suggestions but I/we need a little more input.
The picture you posted is great but more angles are necessary in order to
get a better idea what your up against.
Fred

Hope this helps.

Its solid enough to hold the weight, but its just a little fragile and just needs some extra support. Im not going to add brackets or bolts, I think that an epoxy/glue/fiberglass will do the job just fine, just need some incite on what would be the strongest method.

[Gardnpondr]

Originally Posted by bhollehday

Hope this helps.

Its solid enough to hold the weight, but its just a little fragile and just needs some extra support. Im not going to add brackets or bolts, I think that an epoxy/glue/fiberglass will do the job just fine, just need some incite on what would be the strongest method.

Where is this? Is it under the Bigfoot? What does that hold up or does it hold up anything?

[bhollehday]

Originally Posted by Gardnpondr

Where is this? Is it under the Bigfoot? What does that hold up or does it hold up anything?

Its a bed cover for a truck so its just hinging its own weight up. It holds its wight just fine but if you yank on it you can hear cracking fiberglass and see some movement from the hinge or foot. So I planned on either just filling the gap with epoxy, or maybe adding some fiberglass in there as well.

[Borrego Dave]

Bryan, how about a couple pics from a bit of a distance, in the closed and open position. I think I know what you're asking but can't get a reference with the close up shots.

[Roger C H]

Both work with fiberglass.

[bhollehday]

Originally Posted by Borrego Dave

Bryan, how about a couple pics from a bit of a distance, in the closed and open position. I think I know what you're asking but can't get a reference with the close up shots.

here you go

[Borrego Dave]

Well, it doesn't look like a hinge to me but an offset clip to hold the front down. Am I right? If that is the case and you have clearance with seal and top of the bottom box you should be able to incase the flat part with some fiberglass cloth and mat. I would think one layer should be fine.

[bhollehday]

Originally Posted by Borrego Dave

Well, it doesn't look like a hinge to me but an offset clip to hold the front down. Am I right? If that is the case and you have clearance with seal and top of the bottom box you should be able to incase the flat part with some fiberglass cloth and mat. I would think one layer should be fine.

its, what i call a hinge, as it gives the front of the bed cover a piviting point to swing up on when you lift the back of the bed cover up. I dont completely understand where your talking about fiberglassing. Are you saying just wrap a sheet around the hinge and resin over it and between?

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by bhollehday

its, what i call a hinge, as it gives the front of the bed cover a piviting point to swing up on when you lift the back of the bed cover up. I dont completely understand where your talking about fiberglassing. Are you saying just wrap a sheet around the hinge and resin over it and between?

With no pic of the mating unit it sounds and looks like the basic reason for this tab is to hold the lid down for travel. Never seen a lid like that before. BTW, is the other one still holding OK? I can't bring it up close enough to see it. Looks like the tab should sit flat against the lid normally. Roughing up the glass on each side of the larger flat plate a few inches and glassing over that section should tighten it up. If it was mine, I would put two 1/4" SS bolts/nuts and butyl tape on each tab and be done with it. Way quicker, secure and cheaper than glassing it over.

[FRED SMAILES]

Sorry forgot about this post.
You need to understand how to use fiberglass to effect repair.
You tube can help you there.
What I would do is remove the hinge and grind a little material off from behind the hinge and in both directions. Course sandpaper and elbow grease works too,,,, Apply a piece of fiber cloth that is saturated with activated resin to the area and place the hinge in it's original location over the glass., use a spring clamp or other device to apply firm but not heavy pressure till set. I would probably rough up the hinge face and surrounding area with course sandpaper and apply a second layer of glass.
Hope this helps.
Fred