86 4Runner Top Fiberglass Repair
 

Hey guys... need some help here. So I have a 1986 4Runner with an ugly white top. I want to paint it black (Or maybe use bedliner. Not really sure) but it has some damage on the rear passenger corner. Like that when i bought it, not hat big of a deal. Its ONLY on the surface and doesn't leak or anything to the inside. Anyways, I want to fix it with fiberglass matting but I have no idea what the procedures are or how to do it. Ive searched and haven't found anything. Can anyone share some expertise? Thanks :)
http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...psx4ewjtk8.jpg

http://bondo.com/products/fiberglass


how to repair fiberglass

GL

Coiming from an autobody guy, don't use fiberglass matting for a repair, its old school. Technology has come so much farther than that since your top was designed. Using your favorite internet search engine, look up "fusor 100 EZ" clean up the exposed fiberglass strands as they absorb water, smear in some 100ez, set it with a hair dryer, Sand it with 40grit in 5 minutes, use a fiberglass strand body filler, block with 40 grit, then polyester body filler, block with 40grit, 80, then 120, get your pin holes, scratches and minor imperfections with a glazing putty, block with 120, 180 then whatever your primer reccommends as a final sand, prime, block, paint, done.

Check craigslist. I have seen tops for free to $100 in the PNW.

If you do the repair clean it well between sanding etc. Might go on youtube, search fiberglass boat repair. There are some good ones.

I was thinking about possibly using just BONDO. Is that a possibility or.... I have no clue with this stuff.

Yes, it will work, but thats not what its designed for so it won't work very long.

The thing with using just filler in that crater is the size of the area being filled. Filler isn't designed with strength in mind. Anything over 1/4" thick and the chances of it cracking increase a bunch. Even more so on something as flexible as a fiberglass top. Now I know you're saying "nothingbetter, you're silly, it doesn't flex!" Oh yes it does! When the sun hits it, it expands, and when it cools off at night it shrinks, just like all the sheet metal on your 4r. It also vibrates as your cruise down the road. Too much filler is a bad thing. Polyester filler also absorbs moisture, which is bound to be in the fiberglass seeing as it was left open to the elements for so long. Moisture in the filler will make it fall off/crack/ect. There is a reason why I have multiple products listed in a certain order.

Like dropzone said, check online.

Fiberglass resin would be a better choice than bondo.
I used a little bondo when I bobbed my fiberglass bed, the flex mentioned above is correct

nothingbetter said it all ... I have nothing to add , other then , that is the correct way to do it for longevity


.

Thanks guys. Starting this weekend on it. Appreciate the input and expertise. Pics to come...