Brittle trunk shock covers -How to strengthen?

[milwaukeesk]

I am in the process of undertaking a refresh of my trunk compartment. I have a 74 and the plastic shock covers are very brittle as is typically the case. A few cracks here and there as well. So far I was successful in removing them both in one piece. before I attempt to clean them up and paint them with matching SEM paint I was hoping I could find a way to strengthen them up. Does anyone have any recommendations on something I might be able to spray on the back of them to add a bit more strength and flexibility? My immediate thought was possibly a bed-liner type spray product. Also interested in any products to glue up the cracks as well.

Certainly someone else out there must have went through this same process.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations you might have.

 

[Markos]

Good idea! You could try a gallon of durabak. You can just roll it on with a small foam roller. It comes in a bunch of colors including grey.

Durabak 18 Truck Bed Liner Outdoor UV (Textured)

Durabak™ truck bed liner is water-resistant, flexible, sound dampening, chemical, and UV resistant. Apply Durabak,™ then drive your protected vehicle the next day.Learn more!

www.durabakcompany.com

 

[pickman]

When I refurbished mine I used gel-coat to reinforce. Sure there multiple methods to achieve the refurbish.

 

[adawil2002]

While you have them out and reinforcing them, also reinforce your rear shock towers.

Heartbreak-broken rear shock mount

So I pick up Luis A because he's in town and we're going to cruise to dinner but on the way we hear a loud bang from right rear, first sounded like a flat tire but then realized it's likely the shock. Pulled over and verified. Limped home. Am bummed most about the elephant skin cover which was...

e9coupe.com

 

[dave v. in nc]

I smell mission creep...just kidding. Nice idea, Andrew, good time to do that...I need to do the same.

 

[Honolulu]

Mission creep for sure, that's what all your list buddies are here for!

I'd suggest NOT to use anything brittle (like gel coat?) and in my world, a layer of the lightest fiberglass I could find would be there with some sort of resin impregnation. Note from the surfboard world, polyester laminating resin is not as brittle as finish resin. There are probably epoxies with different levels of flexibility.

Edit: the Durabak truck bed liner above would be just the ticket if it performs as advertised.

 

[milwaukeesk]

Hah! This is total mission creep for me. I started with simply wanting to swap my rear 74 bumper for a 72.... now next thing I know I’ve got the trunk stripped, tail lights out and being refreshed, and the list goes not. Thinking I may as well sand and paint the truck compartment too as it was poorly done during a repaint in the past. Very slippery slope. I guess I can’t help myself.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

 

[bavbob]

Call me old fashioned....I used JB Weld on the cracks.

 

[milwaukeesk]

Call me old fashioned....I used JB Weld on the cracks.

I was thinking the same thing on the cracks. I certainly have it on hand.

 

[milwaukeesk]

Here is what I’m working with.

 

[rsporsche]

work with them slowly - they are unobtainable because of the bumper braces. overall they look better than most, you just need to work on the parts on the braces ... and strengthening the other parts for the long haul would be time well spent as nobody is going to reproduce them for the USA '74 coupe (unless they live here)

 

[Peter Coomaraswamy]

Hah! This is total mission creep for me. I started with simply wanting to swap my rear 74 bumper for a 72....

Sam, the mission creep started when you bought the car

 

[rsporsche]

Sam, the mission creep started when you bought the car

yes Peter its a disease that most of us have caught ... the 'couper virus'

 

[milwaukeesk]

Sam, the mission creep started when you bought the car

Obviously I blame you Peter. Something you have probably heard before though so I’ll get in line.

 

[teahead]

Can try fiberglassing the backsides of them.

 

[milwaukeesk]

I ended up applying a flexible butyl tape. It’s thin and when bonds it grips incredibly tight with a gummy adhesion. It becomes one with the plastic. When I was done I was amazed at how solid the pieces felt. They have some heft and are flexible all at the same time. It works great where their were cracks to tighten them up. Need to be careful though because once this stuff sticks on, you won’t be able to get it off.

I then used some epoxy I had on hand to fix the cracks.

 

[Eric V]

Looks great my’74 brother, I am going to follow your lead with this project.

 

[3nsahalee]

FWIFW-
I worked in corporate displays and trade show exhibits for many years and encountered a ton of various plastics and adhesives over the years.
I have a couple quarts left of this amazing water-based flexible adhesive that would be my go-to on this (if I actually had the trunk pieces).
It’s a super awesome product that dries semi clear but is very flexible, like a thin layer of rubber, and is kinda self-leveling too. A great glue to have on hand as i find it extremely versatile. I’ve used it to replace entire fabric headliners, glue seat covers into place, repair loose fabrics, leather, n foam, etc. there’s tricks n methods that have worked well for me in the past. Let me know if I can share some insights on how I may have used it.

It’s from H.B. Fuller.
Item # XR 6467H001

Steve-o

 

[milwaukeesk]

Painted!

 

[rsporsche]

Looks quite good Sam ...