Fiberglass hood advice

mehal

Member
Hey guys,

I've got an early Bronco with a fiberglass hood and was looking for some advice on making it fit/work better. See pics to hopefully show what I am describing.

1. There are these fake vents at the back of the hood that I want to fill in and make the hood smooth. I guess they're for aesthetics to look like a factory hood or to cut out if you want to use the vents. Anyways, I don't like them so what is the best way to fill the vents. There is about 1/8-3/16 gap between the fake bottom of the vent and the top surface of the hood. Is there a good Fiberglass filler or adhesive I could use or do I have to add more glass & resin? Just worried about cracking as the hood will see a bit of heat from the sun and the lumpy motor I am running.

2. The hood also has a slight bow at each side of the hood so it doesn't lay flat and keep flush with the fender line. Is there a way to flatten the hood out a little without getting into major repairs? Could I sit in out in the sun with some weight on the area that is too high? I can live with it if needed as I know these glass hoods rarely fit well.

3. The hood has been on the truck for about 6-7 years but I am just getting around to finishing the whole project. So should I still bake the hood in the sun for a few days as recommenced by Barry and others?

Thanks in advance for any/all expert analysis ! - Mike
 

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With the hood being that age, it's doubtful that weighing down the center in the sun, even bracing front up to overcompensate bend will work. May need to put a few slices into underbracing, grind & re glass over them & set in proper position.

For the vents I'd cut out & bevel from both sides & lay a few new layers of glass & matt from 1 side , then the other. Could be fresh poly resin or epoxy. Once rough sanded close enough for regular fillers, I damn sure would let it set in sun a few days. Epoxy primer over area would be best, a poly like evercoat g-2 2nd best.
 
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