1.5 tonne dumper

[bobthebuilder]

Fine fill maybe

bit of thin bondo

 

[Rob65]

I was intending to take the bonnet off and get it painted professionally. I’m now wondering though about painting the bonnet myself . Issues are it’s fiberglass and needs a wee repair where the levers come through
View attachment 31472
I’ve never repaired or painted any fiberglass before so I don’t know where to start .
Also the existing paintwork is badly chipped and a whole strip of it has come off right down to the fiberglass where a sticker has been removed
View attachment 31473
View attachment 31474
I’m not sure how I’d even start repairing this as there is a step in the paint where the original has been peeled off .
What do you reckon , have a go with my limited experience or get it professionally done ?

My approach would be Fill all the holes with car body filler. Somthing like Isopon P38 or similar. Sand down with orbital sander using something like P120 paper until you can’t feel the repair when you run a flat head over it.
Prime / undercoat and then when toughly dry and hard gently rub down with P320 wet and dry used wet.
Couple of coats of yellow rolled on and jobs a good un.

 

[Vinpetrol]

My approach would be Fill all the holes with car body filler. Somthing like Isopon P38 or similar. Sand down with orbital sander using something like P120 paper until you can’t feel the repair when you run a flat head over it.
Prime / undercoat and then when toughly dry and hard gently rub down with P320 wet and dry used wet.
Couple of coats of yellow rolled on and jobs a good un.

Nice one Rob cheers . So ordinary car filler is ok on fiberglass ?

 

[V8Druid]

Nice one Rob cheers . So ordinary car filler is ok on fiberglass ?

's what fibre glass/GRP is .. Isopon is resin with a filler powder mixed in .... can buy powder to mix into resin to make yer own .... Rob's technique'd be my MO too .... bit of support around/under your lever hole and build up in a few layers ... go over size and shape back

 

[V8Druid]

View attachment 31470
4th coat on this evening and it’s looking really good .
View attachment 31471
Lower back end painted reflectors and towing pin fitted . Lights to go on yet and wiring needs sorting .

amazing what sort of results a 4" roller'll give with a bit of patience Vin

 

[Vinpetrol]

's what fibre glass/GRP is .. Isopon is resin with a filler powder mixed in .... can buy powder to mix into resin to make yer own .... Rob's technique'd be my MO too .... bit of support around/under your lever hole and build up in a few layers ... go over size and shape back

What do you mean by a bit of support buddy ?

 

[V8Druid]

What do you mean by a bit of support buddy ?

piece of polycarb or rigid plastic sheet of some description to support and give you an edge, held in place under the existing edge/opening, to work to

 

[GazCro]

If you just use a car body filler to build up round the hole for the tipping levers it'll crack and fall out. You need a filler with fibres in it.

 

[Vinpetrol]

If you just use a car body filler to build up round the hole for the tipping levers it'll crack and fall out. You need a filler with fibres in it.

Can you recommend one ?
I could sand the hole a bit bigger to smooth it up if the original fiberglass is sandable ?

 

[Shovelhands]

Can you recommend one ?
I could sand the hole a bit bigger to smooth it up if the original fiberglass is sandable ?

Isopon P40 is basically fibreglass resin with fibre chops in it, you mix it up with the same hardner as P38. It sticks well if things are prepared well and you can sand it, but you won’t get a finish on it, you want to skim it with P38 after.
I always used to like a similar product called Smooth7 for bodywork, but tbh P38 is fine for your application.

 

[GazCro]

Can you recommend one ?
I could sand the hole a bit bigger to smooth it up if the original fiberglass is sandable ?

You'll need to rough the edges up anyway for a key. I'll have to ask brother in law what he uses for bumper repairs on cars cos i think that's the stuff you need

 

[Vinpetrol]

This is the bit that needs sorted

 

[Vinpetrol]

Could I use one of these for sanding ? Would it be ok for wet sanding ?
What type of discs should be used ?
I’ve got a few bits of plant to paint so it would be handy if it would work

 

[6feetdown]

View attachment 31500
Could I use one of these for sanding ? Would it be ok for wet sanding ?
What type of discs should be used ?
I’ve got a few bits of plant to paint so it would be handy if it would work

If you have a compressor an air sander would probably be cheaper and more effective

 

[Vinpetrol]

If you have a compressor an air sander would probably be cheaper and more effective
I do have a compressor but if it works for sanding metal and paint I’d rather use the Makita as I can use it for other wee jobs as well without needing to drag the compressor with me . Do you know if they are ok for body work ?

 

[GazCro]

View attachment 31500
Could I use one of these for sanding ? Would it be ok for wet sanding ?
What type of discs should be used ?
I’ve got a few bits of plant to paint so it would be handy if it would work

Unnecessary for what you need to do on the bonnet imo. You'll probably just create more work and not for wet sanding. Tbh other than the repairs all you need on the bonnet is a key for the paint to stick to. Unless you are going to spray paint bonnet wet sanding isn't necessary

 

[6feetdown]

If you have a compressor an air sander would probably be cheaper and more effective
I do have a compressor but if it works for sanding metal and paint I’d rather use the Makita as I can use it for other wee jobs as well without needing to drag the compressor with me . Do you know if they are ok for body work ?

I've got a rotex so slightly different sander. Not used a battery 1 so unsure what they are like

 

[Shovelhands]

View attachment 31500
Could I use one of these for sanding ? Would it be ok for wet sanding ?
What type of discs should be used ?
I’ve got a few bits of plant to paint so it would be handy if it would work

Regardless of if you really need it for the current job or not, they are a brilliant sander in my experience, I’ve got several and wouldn’t be without them.

 

[Vinpetrol]

@Giles does your dumpers lights have dipped and high beam ?
I think I’ve been sold the wrong headlights . My connectors have 3 wires but the new lights have different connectors and only 2 wires

 

[Vinpetrol]

Been a busy few weeks so not much done on the dumper front but had a chance to get the painted bonnet back on tonight with the help of Mrs P