How NOT to Repair Fiberglass on a C3 Corvette

This is probably the dumbest thing I've done to date. This video is all about fun and experimenting with something I have NO experience in what-so-ever, fiberglass and bodywork. Enjoy my screw ups and itchy agony!
Music: LiQWYD - Eyes Closed
/ eyes-closed
Music: MBB - Takeoff
/ takeoff
Music: LiQWYD - Morning Dew
/ morning-dew
Music: SKIRK - Serenity (Tropical House)
/ serenity
Music: LiQWYD - Sweet
/ sweet
Music: Vlad Gluschenko - Not Too Late
/ not-too-late-free-down...
Music: INOSSI - Wasted Years
/ wasted-years
Music: Vlad Gluschenko - Forest
License: CC BY 3.0: creativecommon...
/ forest-free-download
Music: Jay Someday - Can’t Let You Go
/ cant-let-you-go-free-d...

[@tedjaeggi4766]

I have been in the fiberglass business for 30 years on my own. Started out just like you. not knowing much but had a dream of owning my own business. I give you an "A" for effort. Keep it up!

[@shattermastergaming9136]

I just got a c3 corvette 1980 that has some missing fenders. You and your video are giving me confidence to do the work to fix it and make it look amazing again

[@Black72GTS]

Good for you dude... I have an '80 4-speed myself, and I know a lot of typical "Corvette guys" would turn their noses up at repairs like this. I appreciate how you are willing to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them, all the while recognizing that that car is a driver and you just want to have fun with it. Hell, I want to build flares for my C3 but I can't work up the guts to do that, while you're over here forensically reconstructing an entire fender. Keep it up!

[@AmateurLikeYou]

Thanks a lot for that comment man. That's exactly what I'm trying to do, show people that you can do this stuff yourself even though it wont be perfect. Most importantly though, have fun while you do it! I always think of it like this, anything can be fixed, if you mess up the flares, rip em off and start over :)

[@joshuapayne7832]

I second this for sure LOL I have some fiberglass work I need to do to my c3. This video made me want to give it a try. You just hear all the horror stories of fiberglass LOL

[@dukeman7595]

Pretty alright, can't say good, but you're getting there, especially with what you had to work with. Great imagination is A+..

[@skyeking1]

I have the same mindset as you. I have noticed going to car shows when striking up a conversation, that most people just write a check and have someone else do the work. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment myself and being able to say I did the work. I painted my 69 Corvette in the late seventies and made mistakes in the process. The paint deteriorated over the years and looked awful. I am now in the process of doing the car over. I pulled the engine, replaced the radiator, fuel lines, gas tank, upgraded to a 5 spd transmission and started to do the paint over. The interior will be after that...I guess I should be doing videos. I just turned 70 by the way, good luck on your ventures !

[@totilsom]

The fact that you are going to buy factory pannels, and you still had all that work to give a go its frickin IMPRESSIVE(!) well done

[@bobbysipes2469]

I have worked with fiberglass for about forty years and i have to admire the nerve this guy is putting on display. and i wish him good luck.

[@AmateurLikeYou]

Thank you! I admire you to be able to do that for so long. Fiberglass is no joke, it's like artwork really.

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

I think its great that you are gonna tackle this job and you'll get to hone your fiberglass skills to boot..... making mistakes is how you learn, that was some major damage, don't get discouraged! 👍

[@AmateurLikeYou]

That's kind of how I look at everything in life. If you get thrown a curve ball, you just gotta deal with it lol. Thanks for the comment!

[@michaelcipriano1713]

Well done Giovanni, you did well for a first time job. I'm from Australia and l have two C3 Corvette's, a 75 manual and a 77 auto. The 75 needs a bit of fibreglass work and rust repairs which l will attempt myself. Again well done mate, keep up the good work.

[@markd4838]

Hi Giovanni ballzy video.. You showed many aspects of glass repair that I appreciated seeing and made them work .. You are fearless.... Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.. M

[@ralphhammond2020]

Thanks for this video, I just picked up a 78 vette that needs a lot of work, there is a hole in the passenger door that needs fixing and your video has inspired me to try it. I picked up the car because I wanted a winter project. I also own a 92 vette that is in real good shape. I just subscribed to your channel, keep the videos coming...Ralph

[@mikefiorentini3050]

I give an "A" for effort but coming from a certified auto body technician...never under estimate the expertise needed to repair and paint vehicles to factory spec.😮

[@kfm908]

I bought an entire front clip when I restored a c3 back in the late 90's.it saved lots of work

[@foggymtnbreakdown]

I am pretty sure that your Vette is made out of SMC (sheet molding compound) and not fiberglass. I am also pretty sure that to make lasting repairs to it, you should use a a resin formulated for SMC. That Bondo brand resin that you showed, is not meant for SMC. Check out products made by EverCoat rather than Bondo. Seeing your video helps us all out.

[@juggernautz]

Yes, 73 and newer Vettes are SMC. HIs repairs will hold but the alignment is a mess that he humbly admitted.

[@gizzmo5952]

I feel the pain guy, I got a 81 I found under a tree at a chicken farm, sitting for years. Was driven up and down a dirt road at highway speeds and has been shaken so bad, the fiberglass has separated loose from metal frame work. Fixing all now. Good luck and I'll be checking back in later.

[@johnwaddell4107]

Thanks for the video. I like your attitude, it’s mine and I can’t mess it up any worse than it is now. Keep going you certainly did it better than I could.

[@jimk7882]

A+ for effort and acknowledging your mistakes. You would probably agree that cutting the fender in half was your biggest mistake as it caused additional problems. I probably would have cut the fender off like it was put on from the factory,at the bonding strip, and put another fender on it. Or if saving money was the main objective rebond and repair that fender.

[@Tom-kn7gb]

good for you man glad to see you trying to fix your own car im waiting till the weather gets better to start working on my 78

[@willyb5017]

Lotta hard work there, and it turned out great. My only concern for you is that it LOOKS like you used poly resin vs epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is normally clear, where poly is usually that brownish purple color. For anyone wondering, the old fiberglass bodies were made with epoxy resin. If you use polyester resin, they are not compatible, and over time the layers will separate. So I hope I'm wrong and you used epoxy. Keep it up. Good stuff.

[@samwalker7598]

Hey man this is amazing I love watching these videos and please please please keep these up and something Ik alotta people wanna watch is the whole process not just the cool looking stuff and doing that and putting it in a time laps would be really cool keep up the work man and keep making these videos on this car also look into the LS blocks and when u build it make a video on it id love to share some research I’ve done on it and things I thick would make it more reliable and more powerful for cheeper and making sure u don’t blow the engine pumping out 1000 HP

[@AmateurLikeYou]

I am planning on going to the junk yard and getting some kind of LS 5.3 iron block truck engine, boring it out and stroking it to a 6 liter at least. Then purchasing a forged rotating assembly, two cheap turbos, and letting er' rip lol! I also have plans for the transmission, chassis and suspension.

[@ologyymcintosh8404]

How to put throw bear on dodge Dakota 2003

[@travisthechimp556]

Ive been waiting for This!

[@AmateurLikeYou]

I'm glad you were looking forward to this! I hope I didn't disappoint lol.

[@houseofthediamond8191]

Me too...and it's even more of a disaster than I thought it would be.

[@albertsmit9741]

lot of fun to watch

[@wlc1980]

I think I would have just glued on a replacement fender. Entertaining video however.

[@pmd7771969]

Example of leaving th8ngs to a pro boat shop

[@dixonlof]

Great job, im sorry to say this but corvette c3’s after 70-71 are made of smc body panels, that is epoxi. You are using polyester resin and polyester dont bind so well on epoxi, youtube should have used epoxi resin🤷‍♂️😅

[@dannyred5710]

You got guts go for it man

[@czarli]

Thank you for messing up on your and showing us so we can learn on your mistakes.

[@ricksteelcustoms3196]

Ecklers corvette parts complete new drivers fender $340.00

[@RestorationObsession]

Sweet car! Looking forward to watching your progress.

[@AmateurLikeYou]

Thank you! It's gonna be a lot of work but I'm up for it.

[@peterjlindley]

This is definitely a video on how not to do it. Everybody has to start somewhere.

[@carrolbrooks2143]

More Like Attempt, Analyze & Correct In My Opinion, He's Past His Greatest Hurdle....Having The Nerve To Give It a Go!?!!

[@alexvillalobos7137]

Man I think if you unglue that fender on the side you glued in you can make it fit maybe not perfect but good enough to we’re most of the gaps are even

[@ThePerfectSeason1972]

Did your arms get itchy from sanding ? I think it would have been best if you replaced the whole fender with a new one.

[@franzfrenzy4153]

Nice job

[@seanwinters3565]

not sure why people who admit that they have no idea what they are doing are so willing to completely screw up what could have been a pretty sweet Corvette

[@carrolbrooks2143]

Trust But Verify, You Get way Farther With Much research!?!!

[@bobbysipes7994]

If he doesn't glass that on the inside he will see it fly by someday on the freeway.

[@MrCbell57]

Wow great effort bro. Except we seldom learn tech skills by trying to do them. We learn better by educating ourselves and watching pros do this same repair. Yea we then have to practice. But we don’t jump right into a nice car and grab cardboard and a diy sander. Ans expect results. Practice first. Always. As a restoration guy myself I have years of experience doing mechanical Ana body work on cars. Collision repair and a dozen restorations. I didn’t get to where i am now by guessing what to do. So even though you are more than entertaining your video has very little value. Because those of us wanting to get educated are not here to learn only what not to do. We need to know the exact steps that are correct and in their proper order. As well as we want to know the right tools brand name materials and the best and easiest ones to use. Which are affordable. But thank you so much for the entertainment. Other than cringing each time you had an idea to try something new, I must respect your tenacity and perseverance. Most would have given up on this for sure. Next time just watch some pros and then tackle what you’ve learned and know how to make work. You will save time money materials and redos. God bless.

[@pmd7771969]

Looks like ship

[@drthompson1962]

kniow its 3 years old but wear a respirator not a mask like that so you aren't breathing that in

[@houseofthediamond8191]

What the actual F#CK are you doing!?!

[@antoniojackson6554]

Man just order a new panel

[@troyblackburn4522]

“If you didn’t know” and it seems you didn’t, Corvettes have not been made of fiberglass since 1972. Starting in 1973, Corvettes have been made from SMC (Sheet Molded Compound), which has some similarities to fiberglass; however, it’s not fiberglass.

[@shattermastergaming9136]

Oof bro don’t be a hater this man tackle a job even though he didn’t know how to do it. That takes guts. This man is commendable!

[@pmd7771969]

328 of you thought he did a good job. Lol. Mo. Ron. S

[@peterrivney552]

Fiberglass is very tricky to work with if you are not a professional don't touch it becouse it will cost you a lot more to repair it and if you screw it up again then you might as well replace panels When it comes to repairing cares leave it to the professional's it sound like you have no clue what your doing all all ... Yep spend time and money Tring to fix something that you have to be careful with and you don't need to Santa the fiberglass down much you are destroying a nice car....