Cracking Body-Bumper Grommets the answer?

[F500guy]

I noted when I painted the inside of my body that the area at the parting line on both rear fenders was very thin as well, 1/2 thickness of the body and easy to see light thru the body there.

[rich grsc]

You can see through the body anywhere if there is no gel-cote.

[Jeff_J.]

I noticed a few gel coat voids in the parting lines where you can see the fiberglass cloth on my MK4 body as well. I was going to clean them out and fill them myself but decided to just knock down the highpoints and leave the filling or reinforcement to Mr. Kleiner, I'd rather him not take time to fix what I've done. Looking forward to dropping off the car for him to work on..... lol..

[Doc76]

While puttering on the car today I noticed that the fenders, from about the foot box’s forward, do not actually rest on the foam tape. The quick jack bolts almost appear to be binding up the front and holding both fenders off the frame from that point forward.
I guess all the more reason to, against FFRs recommendation, get the grommets installed in the front and let the nose “float”.
IMG_1732.jpg

[rich grsc]

A bunch of posts on how the body sets at the front. It does not set on the frame

[Jeff Kleiner]

While puttering on the car today I noticed that the fenders, from about the foot box’s forward, do not actually rest on the foam tape. The quick jack bolts almost appear to be binding up the front and holding both fenders off the frame from that point forward.
I guess all the more reason to, against FFRs recommendation, get the grommets installed in the front and let the nose “float”.
IMG_1732.jpg

As Rich said, the body does not rest on the tubes that run alongside the hood opening.

Jeff

[Doc76]

They are not seams. These bodies are continuous layup. That said, if the person who did the body didn’t know better they may have ground deep into the mold parting lines without restoring structure afterwards.

Jeff

Fairly certain this is the case. Flat-handing it up and over the fenders reveals heavy flat spots at the point of the cracks. I think you nailed this one to this being the case.

[AC Bill]

I wonder if the issue could be caused by mold release wax not being completely removed?
Is it just the filler and paint and not the body itself?

[Doc76]

I wonder if the issue could be caused by mold release wax not being completely removed?
Is it just the filler and paint and not the body itself?

Not sure on that one.

[Doc76]

Is it necessary to support the front of the body when removing the bolts during the grommet fitting process?

[Jeff Kleiner]

No.

Jeff