Car Restoration: Fiberglass to repair hole in my cowling

[AMCRambler]

I'm working on restoring my 1966 AMC Rambler, and my current task is fixing the rusted out hole behind my dashbord where the heater core was mounted. Shaping a piece of metal and welding it in there is going to be nearly impossible unless I take the whole dashboard out. I'd really rather not do that for obvious reaons. I've got good access to the damaged area from the top via the cowling under the wipers, and from inside behind the glove box. I've cut away most of the rusted out metal and just have to sand down real good and I should be ready to patch it. I'm thinking about using fiberglass to do it, but I'veg ot a few questions. Will the fiberglass resin bond to the metal to hold it in there? Fiberglass is pretty much immune to water correct? If fiberglass is not a good idea, any suggestions? And finally, if the fiberglass idea works, where do I get a good kit to use for this?

 

[AMCRambler]

Meh bump

 

[Brutuskend]

Try this it works VERY well!

I suggest using nylon screen, then coating it with this stuff. You could use metal screen too, but it might rust down the road.

 

[AMCRambler]

Thanks Brutus, that looks like good stuff, I think I'm going to give it a shot.

 

[Lvis]

I haven't any experience with what Brutus suggested, but I know a bit about fiberglass.

I've worked on boats for over twenty years now.

Fiberglass refers to just that, the fiberglass. Not the resin. The fiberglass comes in all kinds of different forms, and are used for different reasons.

The resin most commonly used with fiberglass is polyester. It will work, but it's less than ideal.

Epoxy is better. If the metal is cleaned to the point of being bright white, with no rust at all, the repair can last a long time.