Fiberglass body parts

jeff63390 · 01-20-2004, 08:43 AM

When you have the fiberglass body parts on a car, does it match the metal doors and rear quarters? I am talking as in the paint, you know when you paint the same color on two different surfaces and it looks completely different. I am wondering how well it matches, as I saw the ad for the fiberglass parts and it stated it would match the steel, but I am skeptical about that, so can anyone with fiberglass panels vouch for that claim. And also how well do the fiberglass parts hold up over time, is it better to use the steel ones for a regular cruising car as far as durability?

ShotRod64 · 01-20-2004, 09:05 AM

Check out Greg Cooks blue 63, it has the fiberglass bumper I believe and he always uses it in his signature. I would think that the body parts would look the same when painted to match but have no experience there.

Deb

1967xlfastbackgalaxie · 01-20-2004, 03:07 PM

As long as whoever does the painting for you takes the time to match the color there is no problem in matching fibreglass parts just as long as the color is right. Keep in mind if the paint on your car is kinda faded any you might want to have the color blended rather than a butt match.

jeff63390 · 01-20-2004, 03:23 PM

The whole car would be getting painted.

But I also haven't seen a factory car with fiberglass that looked like the steel. Example- camaro, firebird, corvette. A Galaxie is a long car and I think you will be able to see that the front end will be fiberglassed.

1967xlfastbackgalaxie · 01-20-2004, 03:41 PM

I have never had a problem with painting fibreglass pieces and them not matching even in an all over paint job. Usually as long as I give the car 2 good coats of sealer before I start spraying the color on it I have no problems with the color matching.

jeff63390 · 01-20-2004, 05:47 PM

I will go look, probably no close ups though.... how well do the fenders hold up? Do you have to worry about cracking or anything?

deleted3 · 01-20-2004, 06:20 PM

I know if Greg put 'em on his car, he had no qualms about the quality. With that said, fiberglass, regardless of quality, takes a good bit of prep to look as good as Gregs. Secondly, is it gonna hold up as well as a steel fender? No way, but it'll never rust either. I had a Crites hood and bumpers on my 65 Caliente. They fit great, but not as good as a factory steel unit. It's important to keep in mind that fiberglass parts are designed to save weight first, and looks and durability are gonna be somewhat secondary. I'm not sure how long Greg's had his fg stuff on his car, but when I saw it last summer (complete with "closeups&quot

, they looked as good as any steel parts I've seen.

DynoTom · 01-20-2004, 07:20 PM

I have seen Gregs 63 Galaxie in person many times now and his paint matches perfect between the glass and metal.......

As long as you get a guy that deals with painting glass parts it should not be a problem to match it...

jeff63390 · 01-20-2004, 10:02 PM

Yeah, I think smacking a 2 ton car back down on the pavement is more punishment than almost all cars see in a lifetime. Not to mention the amount of torque applied to the engine bay area.

ShotRod64 · 01-21-2004, 12:04 AM

And add to that the rearending Greg got last year at Woodward also. Might have done the bumper in but still wasn't like you would have imagined it to be.

Deb