Paint Tech, Guide - Chevy Chevelle - Fiberglass Hood Install

How To Install A Fiberglass Hood

1. We decided to install an aftermarket fiberglass hood on Cheap Street Chevelle for three reasons. One, our O.E.M. steel hood was severely bent and cracked around the hood hinges--a common problem on this year car. Two, we wanted to lighten our Chevelle since it was such an overweight pig. Three, readers sent in loads of letters saying, "Show us how to install lightweight fiberglass parts." Installing the Unlimited Products hood (available from Original Parts Group) is similar to installing an O.E.M. steel hood, but because the fiberglass hood is more delicate, tighten the hood hinges carefully (don't use too much force) and use a pair of low-tension hood springs.
1. We decided to install an aftermarket fiberglass hood on Cheap Street Chevelle for three
2. Once the fiberglass hood is bolted to the hinges, lower the hood and adjust for proper alignment. Then, check all nearby clearances around the hood to make sure binding and/or rubbing will not occur. If it does occur, chances are the fiberglass will crack or break, whereas the original steel hood wouldn't.
2. Once the fiberglass hood is bolted to the hinges, lower the hood and adjust for proper
3. Once the hood is in its proper bolted-in location, begin the prep work for the paint. Check the fiberglass hood closely for imperfections, chips, gouges or high/low spots that will need to be fixed. Our hood's surface was in fairly good condition, but it had a few chips from shipping. Many people opt to paint only the top side of the hood to cut costs, but we wanted our entire hood to have body color. So, the underside of our fiberglass hood needed to be smoothed so that the final product would look nice. Here (photo), the extra fiberglass gunk from manufacturing needs to be sanded and smoothed during the "prep work" stage.
3. Once the hood is in its proper bolted-in location, begin the prep work for the paint. C

4. Although the out-of-the-box condition of aftermarket fiberglass body parts is decent, you should sand the surface to ensure that it is straight and smooth. We recommend using a "long board" with 180-grit paper to get professional results. Using a small sanding block or handsanding is usually too inconsistent and will leave (or generate in some occurrences) high and low spots that lead to a wavy paint job.
4. Although the out-of-the-box condition of aftermarket fiberglass body parts is decent, y
5. When sanding fiberglass parts, work slowly and carefully to guard against sanding through the "gel-coat." If you sand through the gel-coat, you've gotten into the actual fiberglass material used to construct the hood. If you do go through the gel-coat, you will need to fix the mistake spot with fiberglass resin and/or primers. The photo shows what it looks like when you've sanded through the gel-coat (notice hood edge).
5. When sanding fiberglass parts, work slowly and carefully to guard against sanding throu
6. Once the fiberglass hood has been thoroughly sanded for straightness with a long board, apply a generous amount of primer. A good layer of primer (Deltron Uro Prime, in our case) usually fills in minor imperfections and/or sanding scratches. Plus, the primer provides good "grip" for the paint to adhere to. Never sand the fiberglass hood and then apply paint without using primer. After applying primer to the fiberglass hood, carefully wet-sand the surface with 400-grit paper. Using plenty of water, wet-sand using the flat of your hand rather than your fingertips. After sanding, dry and clean the surface using a cleaner such as Du Pont Final Klean.
6. Once the fiberglass hood has been thoroughly sanded for straightness with a long board,

Hood Pins

1. It's a good idea to install a set of hood pins when retrofitting a fiberglass hood. The pins prevent any "flying up" mishaps that could occur while driving. Our hood pin kit (PN HPK100) from Original Parts Group is a snap to install. Locate a sturdy area of the radiator core support and drill a 1/2-inch hole (one hole on the driver side and one hole on the passenger side). Then install and tighten the hood pins in the core support.
1. It's a good idea to install a set of hood pins when retrofitting a fiberglass hood. The
2. With the pins installed in the core support, carefully lower the hood down onto the pins and mark/scribe a circle where the pins need to go through the fiberglass hood.
2. With the pins installed in the core support, carefully lower the hood down onto the pin
3. Close the hood so that the pins go through the new holes. Add the circular gaskets and top mounting plates. Then, mark and drill the four holes needed to affix the mounting plates. Tighten the four (supplied) screws into the fiberglass hood.
3. Close the hood so that the pins go through the new holes. Add the circular gaskets and

4. After marking where the hood pins need to go through the hood, carefully drill a 3/16-inch pilot hole. Then, with a larger drill bit, open up the hole to 1/2 inch. Drill carefully to prevent the fiberglass from chipping.
4. After marking where the hood pins need to go through the hood, carefully drill a 3/16-i
5. Add the retaining pin and you're done. As a test, lift up on the front lip of the hood. If the hood lifts up slightly then you may need to re-adjust the hood pins in the core support by threading up or down. Note the thin (white) plastic covering on the circular mounting plate. After the hood pin kit is properly mounted and adjusted, peel off the protective covering to reveal the chrome-plated surface underneath. Remove the cover last so you don't scratch the chrome-plate during installation.
5. Add the retaining pin and you're done. As a test, lift up on the front lip of the hood.