I'm I missing something here?

When I tried to test fit my sidepanels yesterday I was suprised at the amount of force I needed to get the panel to sit in place. If the rear of the panel was in place, the front was not and vice versa.

Should I be making some cuts in the top and bottom lips to relieve some tension

TIA

Scott

IIRC - the side panels were a challenge to fit. But onc ein place and all PU'd up they 'looked' marvellous.

If you cut them you are only opening up a can of worms with potential to split and a whole host of other problems.

If you cut the lips, applying a quality product like 'blisteze' will soon see them right again!

i remember hearing the use of a hair drier to warm the panels slightly during fixing helps..

Ned.

With GRP panels it is a lot easier if they are stil "green" ---- that is less than say a month out of the mould.

If you do decide to slit the edges drill a nice round hole at where the end of each slit will be -- this stops the slpit turning into a crack and growing.

[Edited on 30/3/05 by britishtrident]

Storing them wrong can lead to twisted panels.....fibreglass has a mind of it's own, like the missus!!!

When i fitted mine i found the floor was thicker and i also put foam strip between floor and chassis which increased the side width. Side panels wouldnt go on easily as a result so i cut the bottom return off completely then used plenty of polyurethane glue to secure. They can be held in place using sport straps while the glue sets (i used a few small rivets that i will paint or remove later but in hindsight not a good solution.).

Why foam between the floor panel and chassis???? The ali or steel used on the floor adds to the stiffness of the chassis, if you isolate it with foam it won't. and you will be at the mercy of rivets!

My chassis is stiff enough without a floor. Its not a book chassis. The ali wont add a lot of stiffness. The foam reduces the opportunity for noise. Being chequerplate the ribs are almost touching the chassis so rivet loading wont be a problem (foam is effectively only filling the gaps). If i did it again i probably wouldnt put the foam tape in a second time.