Cracked Hood - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

crazy_4_cats · 01-05-2006, 01:43 AM

What's the best way to fix a crack about a foot long up your hood?

I took it to the body shop but they said with all the bouncing and vibrating a machine does they don't know how well the glue they use will hold up.

Anyone have a any sure fire fixes for cracked hoods. I want it to look like new.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-05-2006, 04:51 PM

Clean it real well, sand it some to break through the finish. use some mesh and lay in at least 2 layers on the back side. fill the crack with the epoxy and sand smooth, then repaint.

**smallengineguy** · 01-05-2006, 06:36 PM

Fiberglass repair kit by Threebond. Like $29 for the kit.

BRPforlife · 01-05-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smallengineguy
Fiberglass repair kit by Threebond. Like $29 for the kit.

35$ with the currency exchange!

600vmax · 01-06-2006, 10:37 AM

i used j.b. weld (buy it at any hardware store)on mine after trying a few diff. things and so far it is the only thing that has held up it works alot better than 2 part epoxy

crazy_4_cats · 01-06-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smallengineguy
Fiberglass repair kit by Threebond. Like $29 for the kit.

The hood is plastic not fiberglass though will it stick to the plastic?

**smallengineguy** · 01-06-2006, 12:37 PM

Yes, I've fixed a plastic hood with it. You just need to rough up the inside of the hood so it'll stick well.

doopsx · 01-15-2006, 05:21 PM

the wind was blowing about 80230238 miles an hour today and when i got home my hood somehow came unlatched, flew open, snapped the wire that keeps it hooked to the pipe, and made a crack like 3 inches long on the very front nose of the hood. would this fiberglass repair kit work allright? and will i have to paint it at all?

this might not be the right section for this question but i figured id just put it in this post too . does any one know where i can get another one of those wires to hold the hood open, or should i just rig one up?

**smallengineguy** · 01-15-2006, 05:33 PM

It'll work fine for that. 80230238 miles an hour, huh??? Might need more than fiberglass!!!!!

doopsx · 01-15-2006, 05:52 PM

hahah . well maybe it wasnt quite THAT fast . but it was whippin' pretty good

but if i repair it from the inside i shouldnt have to paint it will i ?

**smallengineguy** · 01-15-2006, 06:31 PM

No, as long as it's a clean break.

doopsx · 01-15-2006, 06:37 PM

okay . thanks

BskidooC · 01-22-2006, 12:25 AM

plastic welder
I have one and charge to fix hoods, 75 cents an inch is what I charge
If youre interested in getting one for yourself go to napa and order one you can get started for about 35$

joniggy · 01-27-2006, 11:50 AM

I have a crack a a fairly large chip of paint missing. My hood (i think) is fiberglass. Would J.B. weld work on this? IS it sandable and paintable?

rgoers · 01-27-2006, 08:14 PM

You guys... LISTEN TO SEG!!!

You can't get a better bond, or stronger fix than fiberglass! Period! It's a little messy to work with, but it is the RIGHT way to make a permanent fix on a hood.

I just did the hood hinge mounts on my ZL's hood. (I opened the hood at night, and did not know that the hood cable had rusted through... broke the mounting ears right off. They are thin by design, so they break off *before* the hood sustains damage.)

Anyway, fiberglass is a 2-part resin/hardener mix. It adheres to almost anything, and dries quite hard in an hour or so. The fiberglass cloth gives it incredible strength, even on very thin repairs. A couple layers are all you need. It dries semi-clear, and usually looks okay without painting over it.

You can get a decent fiberglass kit at auto body stores, and even at Wal-Mart. I got mine at Wally-world for about $12.

Skip the kiddy-glues. Fiberglass it!

BskidooC · 01-28-2006, 01:07 AM

you cant beat a plastic welder for plastic its permanent non messy and fast

snow-is-king · 07-17-2006, 02:11 AM

Sorry guys, going to disagree with the fiberglass kits on a flexible hood.

Why, because fiberglass is not flexible! There are products designed for flexible hoods and are flexible, why not use them???

Here is a link on a page for fixing a hood, that has a link to what I consider the best product for fixing plastic. Very strong, flexible, and sands very nice.

http://ddubstoys.com/ski-doo_hood_repair.htm

I also agree that plastic welding is a very good repair. But for a one time shot, most guys do not get "good" at it.

Good luck.

familymanrx1 · 07-17-2006, 02:46 PM

Go 2-part epoxy for its flexibility. If you find a spot that isnt working go to jb weld or even fiberglass if its a big area or near hinges or something

rgoers · 07-17-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snow-is-king

Sorry guys, going to disagree with the fiberglass kits on a flexible hood.

Why, because fiberglass is not flexible! There are products designed for flexible hoods and are flexible, why not use them???

....

Fiberglass does have limited flexibility, and a whole lot of strength. If it's a fiberglass hood, fiberglass is the right way to fix it. All of my Cats have fiberglass hoods.

If it's a plastic hood, then I might explore other options.

The best repair material will depend upon the original construction of the hood. I have seen lots of people even "stitch" their hood cracks with ty-wraps.

snow-is-king · 07-17-2006, 08:58 PM

Rgoers,
One point I will agree with. It depends on the construction. Most hoods today, unless vintage are not fiberglass. No one, including myself asked exactly what the hood is made out of, and my statement was for any type of hood except fiberglass. You state that all of your AC hoods are fiberglass. My 2000 ZL hood is plastic.

If anything other than fiberglass, I would not use fiberglass. Even a steel beam has a certain amount of "limited flexibility", but I would say that in this case, we can say it is not flexible. I stand by my statement that fiberglass for all practical purposes is not flexible (especially at -20F). Fiberglass is a LOT more ridged than the parent material if repairing a plastic hood. (in addition, fiberglass has absolutely no adhesion to some forms of plastic, it will flake right off)

Yes, people use ty wraps. Why. Simple fast. Does it look good? I'll let you be the judge. It isn't going to happen on my sled other than to get me home type of repair, or the hood is beyond repair. Which it will then be replaced when I get home. Crazy 4 cats also stated he wanted it to "look like new".

Of course I agree, on a fiberglass hood, use fiberglass.

My fiberglass repair.

http://ddubstoys.com/scorpion_hood_restoration.htm

So, maybe we should ask the million dollar question.

Crazy4cats, what type of material is your hood made out of???