I've heard or read occasionally people talking about having different parts molded onto the body of their cars, for example a hood scoop, side scoops, or even a ducktail spoiler. While I gather that, in the end, this comes out looking better than drilling or taping such pieces on, and I know that its a longer and more expensive process, I'm not really sure what's involved.

Can someone please describe how a part is molded on, and also maybe comment on the advantages/benefits and disadvantages of it (for example, is it a lot more expensive)?

Thanks!

 

Hmmm...my guess is that a molded on part that you're talking about refers to a piece that's literally part of the piece being cast from a given mold. So when the fiberglass cures and they pull the hood out of the mold, for example, the hoodscoop is already there because its just part of it. As opposed to the Shelby GT scoop which looks like crap because its riveted to the hood. In the case of a ducktail, the spoiler would be integrated into the trunklid just like an old '67-68 Shelby.

Advantages to molded in: clean, smooth look. don't have to worry about piece coming off. No installation.

Advantages to tack-on: relatively easy to install. don't have to replace and paint the entire panel, thus its cheaper. Easier to remove if you don't like it.

 

Thanks, but I'm actually talking about the process of taking an aftermarket piece that you could rivet or tape on, and molding it on instead. I've seen people talk about molding on ducktails and side scoops.. just wondering what that involves.. For instance, does the shop lay strips of fiberglass from the body to the piece, gradually building it so it looks like its part of the body, rather than stick-on? (then paint over it, of course)

 

Heres a link with the molded ducktail spoiler.

 

Right, just what I was thinking of. And here's another link, of molded-in BBR side and window scoops (see post #13) - http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showth...ht=side+scoops

 

Far as Molding in a piece,it is time consuming,coast a lot more to do,but the rewards are that you have a vehicle that the part molded on look as though it came from the factory when the car was bought. When done properly the look is great,but if done un properly it will look like a mess when finished.
step 1: prefit fiberglass piece,then remove,sand or grind down past area where piece is going to be to bare metal,lay fiberglass down,then sand fiberglass area for adhession.

step 2: presand fiberglass piece,attach piece to vehicle by either a strong adhessive or screws or pop rivots. now your ready to just really get started by laying the fiberglass resin and mess ,then sand area after drying of fiberglass,you'll re-do this step over for about six to eight layers or till the your ready to use a little filer or spot putty to fill in imperfections.

step 3 : prime and water sand til you get to where your satisfied with the end result.

This is just an example of what your looking at. Molding into the body of a vehicle takes time to get it to look right. That's why a true professional body man charges more for the job. I'm talking abouts hrs and hrs til it's perfect. Hope this gives you an idea of what hard work went into our cars ,to get them to look like they do. I know,because I did the molding in of my top and side scoopes and duck tail spoiler on my mustang.Wasn't easy ,but the end result was well worth it.

 

Cool. You have the BBR scoops molded in, right, from the thread I linked to? Yeah, I can see how good it looks, just like its a part of the factory body. I assume you haven't had any problems people have mentioned like cracking or anything. Anyway, looks good!

 

that was my 2nd thought...bondo and paint...make her what she ain't

 

wow flamin poneyexpress, you definitely got a bright car with that color combo!

 

Well actually the car is going to be painted in the near future,changeing the exterior colors,will post pics once finished.where I did the bottom scoopes they are perfect and no defects. the top scoopes I cut and remolded to look like the '67 Shelby,so the part I cut and remolded has a fine line where I put it together,but not due to cracking,this part will be fixed during the custom paint job. As I said earlier,if it is done right ,there will be no chance of cracking. the secret to molding into the body is your bonding fiberglass to fiberglass,not fiberglass to metal,this is the reason for the bar metal to fiberglass sandwich technique.

 

Yep - what he said - big bucks to do it right - just ask our buddy Terry next time you talk to him. He can tell you all about it...

I really like the look of the integrated (glassed in) ducktails on the new Mustangs - but the 70's ruined it for me - anyone here remember the flared out Corvettes in the mid 70's? A friend of mine bought one a few months ago. I almost could not make eye contact.

 

Nicely integrated ducktail...

 

Yeah, wow, that's pretty sweet looking. Would have been even better with the CDC!

 

Dont some of them crack a few years after molding as your molding a ridgit pice of fiberglas to a pice of flexible metal?

Just a thought.

 

i would like to know this too, that sounds interesting. anyone?

 

If done right!even years down the road no cracks! The main thing to remember is grinding the area to bare metal,you have to go past where it will attach about a good 5-6 inches all the way around it,this way fiberglass will bond to vehicle. The process is a lot harder to do than it sounds,you just can't grind ,sand and apply. This is where the saying " you get what you pay for'' applies.

 

thanks, this is good to know