Hood

Auto Restorations

Hood

Here is the Power Bulge hood I'll use to make my mold. I believe it's from a 71 Super Bee but I'm not sure. It has a louvered insert in the center of the bulge. I will remove the insert and fabricate a smooth center piece.

The hood is first buffed and polished. It is then coated with three layers of mold release wax. Next a thin layer of mold release film is sprayed onto the hood and allowed to dry overnight. fiberglass resin is then brushed over the entire surface and layers of fiberglass cloth are laid on top and coated with resin. After four to six layers have been applied a wooden frame is laminated to the mold.

The mold is allowed to dry and then removed. It took a little prying at first, but then popped right off. The original hood will be good as new as soon as it's cleaned off.

Here is the completed mold. It took a little bondo to smooth out the area where the original hood had the insert. It has been painted with primer, buffed, and waxed and is ready for the hood to be molded. First the fiberglass material is trimmed to size, I'll use at least three layers everywhere and most of the hood will be covered with nine to twelve layers. Next the fiberglass is laminated to the mold by brushing on the liquid resin. The mounting bracket I fabricated is then "glassed in" in the proper place.

Here is the completed hood with the original front and rear stainless steel edge trim pieces attached. I have also cut out the slotted vent holes at the rear of the hood. The hood fits like a glove... O.K. it may fit like O.J.'s bloody glove (It doesn't fit perfect but you know it's supposed to) but it fits great for my first hood.

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