00+ Hood
 

There's a chance I could have the money to replace the hood on my 01 and get rid of my hood herpies once and for all. I've seen the replacement fiberglass hood advertised everywhere.

Anyone have any input on this? Do you think the fiberglass is rugged enough? Given the choice would you go fiberglass or aluminum?

What is wrong with your hood?

I'm guessing the problem you actually have is primer bubbling. Strip the primer and repaint and the problem will not come back.

I suppose fiberglass would be fine too, however I'd think it would be heavier unless its very thin.

From what I've heard, you need to roll out the seam, blast off the old paint, reseal, prime and paint.

yes, thats what I've heard as well, and the process that was used on my hood. Several years later it has no evidence of hood herpes.

I guess you need to decide if you want the cheapest, lightest, or easiest option.

I just want to get rid of the problem.... I haven't gotten quotes, but I'm guessing it's probably going to cost just as much to have the existing hood "fixed" as it would to replace it. I just wonder if the fiberglass is worth it. If it's not braced right it will flex and crack.

Having the hood problem, when I was getting work at a body shop on a different vehicle earlier this year, I asked that question. First, I had estimates of around $400 at the dealer, and about $200 at that body shop. The difference was that the body shop would work on the front of the hood where the problem was and blend in the paint from there. They said the fix would last about as long as it took the problem to appear originally.

As for the fiberglass hoods, the response was that the good ones a quite expensive. The cheaper ones were not usually of good quality. They also said that as a good fiberglass hood would be rather thick, and not be able to have the same sharp bends as the metal, there was usually a slight alignment difference especially around the very front of the hood, and the corners near the headlights. They said that it wouldn't be noticeable to a casual observer, however and that they'd do either one. The feeling was that the cost/performance ratio would strongly favor the aluminum.

stay with aluminum, your aluminum hood, and get a price to fix the herpes.
mine is over 3 years now and nothing on the top has shown up yet.
a tiny tad underneath has though.

Our Hoods are Aluminum ?? really... nooooooooooo

yes, and that is why they have issues......

From what I hear with guys buying the repop fiberglass hoods for the A body Oldsmobiles I would stay with the factory hood. The fiberglass ones usually need a fair amount of work before they can even be painted to get them in proper shape.