Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Posted: **Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:22 am**

Hi,

I am in the process of grinding out the gell coat cracks in my car body,
prior to rebuilding with tissue paper. Are there any tips/suggestions on how
to identify when I have ground to the correct depth? Obviously, the gell
coat has to be removed, but I don't wish to damage the glass fibre below and
it is difficult to see when this point has been reached.

Thanks in advance.

David

Posted: **Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:26 pm**

David
It is NOT necessary to grind below and eliminate the crack. The only need
for depth is to be able to put in the tissue with a film of resin and then
enough filler to level it for finishing. Be sure to extend the grind 1/4 to
1/2" beyond the cracks on all sides. I draw a circle first then start
grinding. At the edge of the circle you feather it out to no depth.
Ken
"69 +2 with BDR

Posted: **Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:20 pm**

I took the term "grind out the cracks" to mean literally that!

-----Original Message-----
From: lotus [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 20 October 2004 13:30
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] gell coat repairs

David
It is NOT necessary to grind below and eliminate the crack. The only need
for depth is to be able to put in the tissue with a film of resin and then
enough filler to level it for finishing. Be sure to extend the grind 1/4 to
1/2" beyond the cracks on all sides. I draw a circle first then start
grinding. At the edge of the circle you feather it out to no depth.
Ken
"69 +2 with BDR

Posted: **Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:53 pm**

Whoa Nellie, Tissue paper?!? What are you guys talking about?
Either tissue paper is a euphemism I don't get or the state of the
art in fiberglass repair has changed dramatically since the last
time I did any. What's the scoop or where do I go for more info?
Thanks, Steve

Posted: **Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:49 pm**

Steve,
Tissue paper is a loose term for 1 oz fiberglass matt, single layer stuff.
Take a look at www.fiberglast.com I think thats the right site to find the
material.

Mark, Using tissue on my S2 presently

Posted: **Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:39 pm**

If you do that you may start seeing the road or other internal car parts!

the tissue and resin "contains" the crack.

so go easy!
Ken

Posted: **Sat Oct 23, 2004 9:04 am**

I think we need to clear something up here...........

Tissue, and Mat, (Matting) are two different things. Glassfibre mat
is the coarse material that is used for the 'structural' part of a
glassfibre repair. You normally use the 1oz (300gm)for Elans.
Tissue (which looks like paper hankerchief material) is used over
the mat to get a better finish before you apply filler. When
repairing gel cracks you grind out the crack in the gelcoat and
apply tissue before filler.

There are several good books/articles about this which are essential
reading.

Regards,

David

--- In ***@***.***, "Mark Doubet" <madoubet@m...>
wrote: