Eagle 01 Rusted Body Panel, What Have You Done?

[Dreamscape]

Hello Guys and Gals,

I finally will be back on this board more often, got our internet service yesterday in our new home.

My question is this.

I saw some body filler cracks around the bottom of the front windshield. I removed all the old filler and found a lot of rust and some holes. Someone must have used a couple of gallons to cover it up.  The panel is contoured and not flat by any means.

What is the best way to fix the area. I have been out of the body filler arena for a long time and don't know what is out there. I know I will have to prep and use a neutralizer to stop the rust.

Any help is always appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

Dreamscape

[Lee Bradley]

The best way is to cut out all the rusty metal and weld in new. No fancy tricks just lots of hard work.

[pete81eaglefanasty]

    Hey Paul  I think what you are looking for is called a breast plate, It is fiber glass. I don't know where to get one tho.

          Pete & Jean
            Fantasy

[Connel]

Paul,

What you need is at:  http://rm-fiberglass.com/
They have the breast plate.  I have an old one from my 05 but do not know if it will fit your 01.

Connel

[Dreamscape]

Thanks for the info.

I did not know what it was called and did not know RM Fiberglass had that available.

I will contact them.

Thanks Again,

Paul

[captain ron]

That seems to be a problem area on Eagles as every one I've looked at has had issues in that area.

[Dreamscape]

What is the best way to install the fiberglass breast plate?
I am sure the windows will have to be removed and new rubber gaskets installed. I sent RM an email because they don't have a picture available. I need to know how close to the window framing it goes.

Connel, is your old plate original steel? What condition is it in?

Any other information would be helpful.

Paul

[pete81eaglefanasty]

 Paul
  You will have to remove the windows and rubber, then fill in where you cut out the old one, and refiberglass them together, the windows are held in with the fiberglass all the way around, on mine the hole cap and windshelds and breast plate are one. I hope I made myself clear enough to understand how I put it.

          Pete & Jean
            Fantasy

[Dreamscape]

Thanks Pete for the additional information on installing the breast plate. It will sure help. Yes you described it very clear.

I am not looking forward to doing this, but at the same time I know it will make a huge differance.

Thanks again,

Paul

[Kristinsgrandpa]

    Paul, these people have a wealth of info, if you are new to fiberglass work.

I read up on all the different type of glass work before I worked on my caps.  I glassed in the opening where my destination sign was and filled in the louvers in the rear where the A/C was.

I didn't buy from them but their info was great.

http://www.fibreglast.com/contentpages-main-Learning-Center-283.html


Ed.

[Dreamscape]

Thanks Ed,

I have always wanted to learn about fiberglass but was unsure. The information really helps me understand. Great place to start the learing process.

Thanks again,

Paul

[kysteve]

Paul, just so happens that is the area of my bus im working in now.  I have my breastplate off now and Im stripping off the rust around the windsheild this weekend. Ive got some holes in the framework around the windsheild and ill be welding new metal in those areas.  Ill send you some pics as I make progress on this repair section of the bus.  Hope this helps, Steve

[Dreamscape]

Hello Steve,

The pictures would be great to see. Would like to see what and how you did it.

Paul

[Bob Belter]

Ahoy, Paul,

Your -01 Eagle (and mine) have a formed steel breastplate below the windshield.  No fibreglass anywhere close.  (Unless you have an aftermarket fibreglass roof cap).  The windshield frame is nominal 40mm sq tube, and the rubber retainer piece in the inner windshield perimeter is a riveted in aluminum angle.

Welded in steel is the best repair.

Enjoy /s/ Bob

[Dreamscape]

Good information Bob,

How does one go about getting or making the formed piece?

I do have a fiberglass cap with a visor mounted over the windshield.

Are you saying that if I have a fiberglass cap that I would be better off with the fiberglass breastplate?

I am not sure where to start as I have never done any fiberglass work.

Paul