Diffuser repair | FerrariChat

Diffuser repair

Discussion in '348/355' started by kderacing, Feb 17, 2014.

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  1. kderacing

    kderacing Karting

    Sep 18, 2013
    71
    Chicago Suburbs
    #1 kderacing, Feb 17, 2014
    I just thought I'd share my experience repairing the 355 diffusers. I had a small crack in each diffuser keep in mind these were minor enough that on one of them you couldn't even see light through it. So I wasn't sure if I wanted to use a fiberglass patch kit since that would've involved cutting the cracks then filling them with fiberglass cloth. I would up instead using 3M glass filler. I did 1 coat overfilled it then sanded it down. Then a second coat to fill any small imperfections and sand again. Then simply primered and painted both. They turned out great. So if anyone is looking to do this repair I highly recommend the 3M glass filler route. This stuff basically has the shredded cloth already in it you simply add the hardner then spread it on.
     
  2. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 4, 2006
    8,281
    Palos Verdes
    Full Name:
    Vince V
    #2 vvassallo, Feb 17, 2014
    This is a great product for small repairs in fiberglass. If the crack is too long, you need to add cloth for strength. Otherwise this stuff is fine as a reinforced filler. Good job.
     
  3. F355Berlinetta

    F355Berlinetta Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    245
    South Barrington, IL
    #3 F355Berlinetta, Feb 17, 2014
    This sounds like a great weekend project when it finally decides to warm up. Do you have any pics of the fix?
     
  4. kderacing

    kderacing Karting

    Sep 18, 2013
    71
    Chicago Suburbs
    #4 kderacing, Feb 17, 2014
    I didn't take any while I was doing it I was too busy sanding. I just put them back on the car tonight so I'll get some of the finished product.
     
  5. kderacing

    kderacing Karting

    Sep 18, 2013
    71
    Chicago Suburbs
    #5 kderacing, Feb 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here are the pictures with the finished ones back on the car. Before the repair from the side of the car you could see the crack between the wheel and the wheel well. So I'm pleased with the outcome even though not many people would've ever noticed but it bothered me. Sometime in the future I'll pull all the panels and do the same. There are scratches on some of the other underbody pieces.
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  6. F355Berlinetta

    F355Berlinetta Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    245
    South Barrington, IL
    #6 F355Berlinetta, Feb 18, 2014
    That looks really good. I have a nickel size chunk that broke off the sides, I'll try this route. Thanks for the pics.
     
  7. Brigadelok

    Brigadelok Karting

    Jul 31, 2009
    87
    San Anselmo, CA
    Full Name:
    Jonathan
    #7 Brigadelok, Feb 19, 2014
    Looks great. I need to do mine. What kind of paint did you use to get a good match?
     
  8. kderacing

    kderacing Karting

    Sep 18, 2013
    71
    Chicago Suburbs
    #8 kderacing, Feb 22, 2014
    I used a matte black spray paint. It doesn't match perfectly but I'll probably wind up doing all the other undertrays too eventually so they will all be perfect and match each other. Since you can't see the others without the car on the lift I wasn't too worried about that aspect of it. I didn't want gloss because I think that would look stupid. They are accent pieces in my opinion that you see from the rear. I do like the CF ones that are available but not sure I like them enough to drop $1100 on them.
     
  9. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
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    New Jersey
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    Barry Wolinsky
    #9 308 GTB, Feb 22, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The diffusers work in conjunction with the undertray to produce down-force...
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  10. kderacing

    kderacing Karting

    Sep 18, 2013
    71
    Chicago Suburbs
    #10 kderacing, Feb 23, 2014
    Yes but I don't think having the paint match affects downforce :)
     

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