Repairing graphite chassis

[johnqpublic]

I'm getting ready to start restoring my original JRX2, that I raced on dirt ovals from '90 to '94. Over the years I narrowed the chassis and hacked up most of the other stuff too for weight considerations.

A couple of years ago I picked up a used original 20 degree chassis, but it has one 1/8" hole in it, just to the left of the battery location. Is there a way to repair this with any sort of epoxy concoction and make it look half way decent?

There is also some wear at the rear corners and scratches on the bottom, but I'm not as concerned about that. I know that it was impossible 15 years ago to find a new 20 degree chassis, so I don't imagine its any easier now!

I saw a new assembled car go for over $400 on ebay yesterday, which IMO is insane!

Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks!

[scr8p]

here's the thread of one i did.

http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=543

[mrlexan]

Scr8p, Scr8p, he's our man, if he can't do it hoopty sure as hell can't.

Sorry, just in a good mood.

[scr8p]

Scr8p, Scr8p, Scr8p he's our man, if he can't do it hoopty sure as hell can't.

Sorry, just in a good mood.

[badhoopty]

Scr8p, Scr8p, he's our man, if he can't do it hoopty sure as hell can't.

hmmm, i suddenly lost that jg shock tower.

[mrlexan]

LOL.

Hey, cut me some slack, things are going well with what I mentioned to you the other day... so I am in a good mood.

[johnqpublic]

Wow Scr8p....that came out really nice!

Is that stuff available at pretty much any auto body supply store?

I was thinking of doing some experimenting w/ some epoxys, or maybe even JB weld and then mixing in some dye. Hopefully w/ the small blemish that I have I won't need to do the painting & clear coating. My chassis is not exactly black...more like a dark charcoal.

[scr8p]

ya, i would think any b.s. supply store will have it. i don't know the part number off hand. i can get it if you'd like. you do need the correct application gun, and the mixing tips to use it, since it's a 2 part system. i don't know how much the stuff costs. i just use what we have at work, so, i haven't bought any.

i wasn't sure how i wanted to actually refinish the chassis, look wise. and the more i look at it, since painting it, i don't like it. so, i'm gonna sand the paint back off when i get an idea of what i want to try next.

it's my little guinea pig.

[johnqpublic]

Well I did a search on your 3M adhesive, and at $33 for the adhesive and $240 for the gun....I think I'll try a few other things first .

[scr8p]

Well I did a search on your 3M adhesive, and at $33 for the adhesive and $240 for the gun....I think I'll try a few other things first .

oh ya, i didn't expect the stuff to be cheap. that's one nice thing about working in a body shop that lets you come and go (after hours), and not charge ya for the materials you use. within reason, anyway. i mean, if i make $50 worth of paint, i gotta pay for it.

[justinspeed79]

There's another company that makes that stuff, can't remember the name right now, but I think you can get a whole kit with with a couple tubes of epoxy, the gun, a bag of tips, a carrying bag, and some other stuff for around $120. I'll look and see if I can find the brand name for ya. Still kind of expensive, but it's probably enough stuff to do 100 chassis'.

[johnqpublic]

Well, right now I only have to repair a 1/8" hole...I'll figure something out!

[scr8p]

i would try to find a black 2 part epoxy or something similar from a hardware store. all you want to do is fill a hole. you don't need to worry about strength at all. when i did mine, i was attaching the complete front clip to the rest of the chassis. but, i filled all of the extra holes with it too while i was at it.