Hatch pic needed

[my90k5]

I'm having issues with one side hatch support. Is that just sandwiched on the hatch frame? I mean no metal or structure within the fiberglass? I'll see if I can get my camera to work for a pic.

Here's a shot of what I'm talking about, looks like it just screws into the fiberglass or through the fiberglass into the plate behind.

[Bentblazer]

Your correct, there is a metal piece that is on the inner that has the nuts welded to it, and is then pop riveted to the fiberglass. Both of mine were either missing or broken badly. I was suprised as to how thin these hatches are. I was able to put mine back into the place where they belong and patch that area inside a little heavier. (pic) To fix yours without seperating the two halves will be difficult. May have to patch from outside and use threaded inserts, tough call

[my90k5]

Thanks Bentblazer. I thought that was the case, I'll have to sleep on this one for awhile lol. Thanks again for the pics.

[my90k5]

One more question, what did you use to separate the two half's?

Thanks....

[Bentblazer]

Originally Posted by my90k5

One more question, what did you use to separate the two half's?

Thanks....

Sorry it took so long to get back, I used a thin putty knife and tack hammer. Found a small split in the two halves and slowly chipped around. If you are going to attempt, take it slow!
Finally the two halves have come together.

[coyote72]

Nice work, that was my least favorite part when I put my truck together. It looks like it will be strong. Was it a PITA to seperate the halves? I kinda wish I had done mine like that to reinforce it more... they take a beating if you use them.

[Bentblazer]

Originally Posted by coyote72

Nice work, that was my least favorite part when I put my truck together. It looks like it will be strong. Was it a PITA to seperate the halves? I kinda wish I had done mine like that to reinforce it more... they take a beating if you use them.

Took quite a while, had two to seperate. Had to salvage the back side of one for donor pieces.
One advantage of that was that both hatches were craked and broken in nearly the same places, so I knew where to reinforce with more glass.

[Bentblazer]

Couple more pics of the hatch after a little Al's liner and some paint and the next project to spray

[hgs_notes]

Hadn't thought of that. Not a bad idea at all. I hope that Als has good UV protectors in it.

[Bentblazer]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Hadn't thought of that. Not a bad idea at all. I hope that Als has good UV protectors in it.

They claim that they do, guess I'll see.

[woodymm3]

what did you use to put the two pieces back together? I may have to do this to mine due to haveing to re install some hardware that is missing. Looking for as much info as possible!

[Bentblazer]

Well I searched every where and couldn't find my reciept for that adheisive, I can tell you that it is a 3m brand. I had asked for a product that bonded the two sides of the fiberglass hatch together. As I said it is a two part mix that uses a twin tube type of gun that mixes the product in the tip. It had about a 20 min work time. So you will need to be all set when ready to put back together. The hardest part of the repair was separating the two halves, use a thin sharp putty knife and tack hammer and TAKE YOUR TIME, it will come apart. I'll be glad to answer questions good luck, Mike

[woodymm3]

Thanks alot man. It has been a long time coming. I will make sure I take pics and make a good post of it when I do it.
hey maybe you know.. the little clips on the end... can you pick those up somewhere?

[Bentblazer]

Probably the best place would be here in the for sale forum. Never seen them any where else.

[hgs_notes]

Its been almost a year, did you get it all together and mounted up with glass?

[red71cheyenne]

I used fiberglass liquid resin to put mine back together. But it is super messy. Be prepared to get it all over everything including you.

[woodymm3]

I am not even 100 percent sure where to make the split at!!!???

[Bentblazer]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Its been almost a year, did you get it all together and mounted up with glass?

Yes, it's been on the Blazer nearly 11 mos now. It was no easy task installing glass in sides or hatch. I like it with top off much better but there was more curb appeal at some of the shows I entered.

[woodymm3]

So any pictures showing where you split it at exactly?

[Bentblazer]

Originally Posted by woodymm3

I am not even 100 percent sure where to make the split at!!!???

If you will look around the most outter edge or around the inner where the glass seal mounts you can see where both sides are glued together. If not take some sand paper and hit one of the edges a little until paint is gone and you should be able to see the profile line where they are sandwiched. Both panels together won't be a 1/4 in thick, the line will be pretty fine. Don't have any pics showing that, as mine was obvious. The outter shell is very flimsey.

[woodymm3]

Ok awesome. i will probably post up some pics of mine soon, well when my computer gets back from the shop.. I was going to post some pics today and it died on me.... been trying to get rid of some utility buckets and was going to put up some better pics of em.

[jonesky2]

Originally Posted by Bentblazer

Yes, it's been on the Blazer nearly 11 mos now. It was no easy task installing glass in sides or hatch. I like it with top off much better but there was more curb appeal at some of the shows I entered.

hows the uv protection on the als liner? any yellowing? did you add pigments or paint over it? if painted was a single stage, solid base/clear?

[Bentblazer]

When doing white it is a must to use a high end pigment. Mine was a ppg concept white, $95 a quart. Has uv protectors build in. At least that is what I was told by the local body shop supply. The local GM body shop manager was the former body shop supply manager and he steered me to this product, they also use it in their Line X for truck bed liners and have good success. As far as yellowing on my top, none yet but my Blazer is garage kept and is still a brilliant white, doesn't see alot of action.

[NorthernMatthew]

I might need that diagram for my own hatch repair one of these days. I'll know more once I get the metal parts out for cleaning to see what is salvageable. Thank you.