Well a couple months ago got hit on the fron end and did some damage. Now at Checker auto i saw some fiberglass filler?? or something along those lines and was wondering if sand the heck out of the rough spots just use that fiberglass filler stuff and fill in the missing or thin parts and sand that down smooth with the rest of the panel. Whats your guys's ideas on this??

 

That should be Fixable but I would just hit up a JY and see if you can find a replacement header panel in the same color.

 

I crashed my Jeep and destroyed 7-8 inches of the drivers side of that panel. If you're feeling up to the task and have worked with fiberglass before I say go for it. I had about 4 hours work into mine over 3 days (each day waited for epoxy to cure overnight) When it was done you couldn't tell unless you looked closely. Fiberglass work is very forgiving and easy to fix. It takes a while to get it perfect but you can do it. I think most people would just say **** it and buy a new panel though. It's tedious work.

 

agreed with G P id just see if ya cant find one at the JY think there pretty cheap

 

Theres none at the close junkyard. there was only one late model Xj and that was involved in a rollover so the front end was destroyed... I have never worked with fiberglass before, but i think it would be a good learning experience and fun well within reason. Im all for learning something new.

If i did want to tackle the task, what would i have to do??

 

sand the heck out of it and get a good shallow divot because you dont wanna go all the way thru the panel. (i would use 100 grit to start with then work down to a 180 then a 220 then a 300-something) then use the filler (mix per can instructions) and create a little mound over the spot. Then depending on how big your mound is start with 220, then go to 300-something then to a flat 400 grit. and blend it in and make it smooth and follow the body line. (wrapping a piece of sand paper around a wooden pain stir stick helps when doing the 400 grit sanding.

then take a contrasting color of spray paint and spray a light coat over the filler area and let it dry. do the paint stick 400 grit again and see where your high and low spots are(the low spots will be that contrasting color, the high spots will be sanded down). fill low spots if needed and repeat.


take your time and it will turn out nice.

and then when i paint your hatch i can paint the header panel too

 

Dude.. if you do that, you are going to have to paint it anyway.. Might as well just buy a new header panel.

 

I'd search craigslist under "auto parts" for Cherokee or search cars by owner for Cherokee and find one being parted out. There must be five of them on the lists in my area right now. Engines, trans, body parts - body is the easiest stuff to get. That header panel is easy to remove and could even be easily shipped. you could by one at a distance and have it UPS'ed to you.

 

lol painting is not an issue since i have to paint his hatch...

 

Its not a hard fix at all, I see alot of guys that cant fix stuff or are too lazy,Its alot more work to have too remove that for a couple of small fixs but each to there own.

 

Is it really that much work?? or is it just more work then you want to do. Not trying to bash you, cuz i know alot of people who dont want to do things because its "too much work" when in reality its just a little time consuming.

I would have to take it off just to replace it anyway...so why not take it off and try something new and learn from it. If it fails i get a new panel...

 

its not that much work. just sit down and enjoy it.. its just time consuming. because of the curing process of the filler what not. could be done in a day

 

ok so been a body man all my life can tell you one thing that part for your jeep is $35 to $50 it will take less time replacing it then grinding out all the cracks cause they will return if all cracks are not stopped, but if up to fixing it then grind all cracks out and fill with fiber glass resin and fiber glass matting till whole area is covered with resin let dry then begin to sand it may take several coats till it is where you want it at but remember that that spot of the panel is going to be weak. but if you do repair it have fun cause you will learn lots about fiber glass.