Board logo

Fibreglass rear pannel extension
davrus - 18/6/10 at 06:41 AM

Hi ya, i have a slight problem with my rear pannel. It is about 15mm too short width wise not heigh wise.
What i was planning to do was to cut it down the middle then extend it by the said amount.
Has any one here done such job
After tips, advise or pics on doing the job.

I was going to lay some fibreglass in the gap, pour in some resin then build it up with a few more layers of fibreglass on the inside, well somthing like that any way.

All advise welcome

Many thanks

Davrus


eznfrank - 18/6/10 at 07:10 AM

Look on hellfire's website, they did.the same thing


BenB - 18/6/10 at 07:30 AM

The difficult bit will be getting the gelcoat to match the existing g/c.

I'd slice it then lack up some grp matt on the back of the panel, let it dry off then flip it over and fill the gap with pigmented flowcoat. It's quite gloopy despite the name. Then sand that down with a rasp, then a fine file, then emery paper.

Simples


austin man - 18/6/10 at 07:47 AM

Hellfire reduced the width of theirs as MK rear panel historically have been slightly wider than required. As stated the gelcoat match would be a problem but not a problem if you are goint to paont it. Just ensure that the area is well keyed and there is plenty of overlap on the inner part of the panel to ensure strength. You could always take a mould from a section of the panel then cut the panel, wax the mould and place back onto the panel gelcoat and fibreclass then releas the mould. Hopefully you will end up with a nice flace panel that requires minimal work.

Failing that a sheet of ally and make your own


Mark G - 18/6/10 at 08:39 AM

I'd definitely have a look at how hellfire have done theirs. I know they reduced and you are extending, but the theory is the same and it looks a good job. If you do it fibreglass, unless you have a lot of experience in this area it will be very difficult to get it looking good.


RK - 18/6/10 at 04:46 PM

No, if you look on Kinetic Vehicles website, they show how to extend a scuttle. I did this with excellent results. The same principles apply for a back panel. If it looks bad, put a stripe on it.


davrus - 18/6/10 at 05:05 PM

I was going to put a stripe over it so the colour match is not a problem, i was moor concerned about the strenth.

Any chance in a link to the sites mentioned above.

Many thanks


RK - 18/6/10 at 10:22 PM

your wish is my command:

http://www.kineticvehicles.com/superscuttle.html


davrus - 19/6/10 at 05:53 AM

Many thanks RK. I must have spent an hour looking for that on there site.
Just what i was looking for.

Thanks again


RK - 19/6/10 at 12:04 PM

Anytime. I've had so much help from people on here (couldn't have built my car without it), I'm glad my ramblings have actually had information people can use for once.

When I followed that advice on Kinetic, it was the most successful, and neatest glass fibre job I did.


davrus - 20/6/10 at 07:27 AM

Well made a start, cut pannel in half, attached a brace to the top and bottom af the pannel extending it 19mm.
Now the fun began.
as i am extending it i now have a 19mm gap in the middle, so i lined the outside with some parcel tape then turned it back over, i then placed a strip of fibreglass 19mm wide and inserted into gap then brushed some resin over it, then placed a four inch wide strip over it overlapping original pannels and left to cure. Left for a fair few hours removed wood and continued the above along the section where the wood was and left overnight.
Thats step 1 out the way now need to lay a few more strips over it to give it some strenth, then fill the out side and rub flat.

I will keep you posted on how it goes.

If all goes well i may try a similar technique on the scuttle, bonnit and nosecone.
[Edited on 20-6-10 by davrus]

[Edited on 20-6-10 by davrus]


davrus - 23/6/10 at 06:47 AM

Absolutly FANTASTIC

Would not hesitate in cutting nosecone, bonnit , scuttle.
Dead easy with exellent results

Looks good and feels as strong as it was originaly if not stronger.

Cheers for your help

Davrus


dlatch - 23/6/10 at 04:49 PM

no pictures?


davrus - 28/6/10 at 06:26 AM

Soon as i clear some space in my garage i will put some pictures on here,

Definatly thinking of doing the same on the scuttle, bonnit and nosecone.

The problem i have is if i dont cut the above items then they will have to be mounted 4" further forward to what they should be, not too much of an issue though.

I will let you all know what i do and post some pics soon.

speak soon