securing the underside plastic panels

[Gilles]

I remember reading about a product to replace the broken studs that secure the underside (aero) plastic panels, but cannot remember the name of the company, and also, how do you guys replace the broken studs?

PS: not sure how you secure the studs to the body without a welder, perhaps special adhesive?

[Mark_T]

Have you considered drilling a hole and using screws? Probably a lot cheaper and easier.

[Boxtaboy]

Check out the bottom of the link below:
Repair Under-Panels Porsche DIY

[Timco]

Bought new middle section. Broke the tab first removal. Left it off.

[Gelbster]

Has anyone found a generic ,trim-to-fit alternative panel ?
For example these polycarbonate panels are very strong & inexpensive:
Suntop 26 in. x 8 ft. Foamed Polycarbonate Corrugated Roof Panel in Castle Grey-108974 - The Home Depot
or
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suntuf-26-in-x-12-ft-Polycarbonate-Corrugated-Roof-Panel-in-Solar-Grey-101931/100096441

[Pdwight]

You would of course need to clean the area completely and then sand with 50 to 60 grit paper first.

Purchase a fiberglass repair kit with the cloth. Make up the resin and hardener at the last, after you have everything ready (wear surgical gloves!!!!!) .Place the cloth in the resin and then transplant onto the repair area...give generous room on all around the crack or missing area. Make sure the cloth is saturated fully, if not add extra resin with a disposable brush (If it is not a disposable brush it will be at the end of this job) regardless of the time it says let it harden overnight and it will be repaired far stronger than it was new. Try to keep it as level as possible so the excess resin cannot run , I have made small dams out of modeling clay to isolate an area.

As we say in the South "This will hold until the Cows come home "

Dwight

Need to add a PS to this, I was only speaking of repairing the plastic removable panels like this...not the metal car body or undersides

[jakeru]

I've successfully replaced a broken underbody-panel fastening stud using epoxy.

Weld repairing here would take a lot of prep work (removing significant amount of paint and undercoating) and clean up afterwards (re-applying any rust proofing, paint, and undercoating.) If there are gas lines or anything rubber nearby, they would also need to be removed (or at least shielded) when welding for safety.

Considering only a plastic nut screws into these studs, the epoxy has a chance of producing a satisfactory repair. (But still, I recommend being gentle on an epoxy-repaired stud! Use an older, nicely loosened-up / broken-in plastic nut, and the minimum amount of torque to prevent the underbody plastic panel from rattling.)

[Gilles]

Yes, the product (or company) that I am trying to find had something similar to the bonding process.

If I remember correctly, they offered a plastic (or nylon type of material) stud with a 'round base' that you bond to the metal part of the car, this would allow you to install the panels using the OEM plastic nuts.

Unfortunately cannot find where I saw that company advertised (986 forum or Planet9...), or somewhere else.

I also tried the screw technique but unfortunately, the screws always find a way to get loose, so it is not a correct fix (IMHO)