7 replies to this topic

[JonnyBMX]

so im replacing the scuttle, wings, front panel and bonnet onto my car,

Have now got my heritage panels at home and need to start fitting them...

what is the best way to go about doing this as ive never attempted such a big task, what should i do with the panels before i put them on? at the moment they are all covered in the black E coating they come with.. should i just leave this on? i planned to spray stone chip onto the inside of the arches.

just after some advise on the order to fit these panels on etc and any tips where it comes to lineing it all up etc???

thanks guys

Jonny

[AVV IT]

The black E coating on heritage panels is fine to spray over, the stuff they use on pattern panels is a bit "hit & miss" though, so it's best to remove it.

I won't share the technique I used for replacing my front end though, as now I have an awful panel gap between the bonnet and off side wing, so clearly there are better ways of doing it. Although I've since learned that it's a good idea to change the front subby mounts to the solid variety, before you take the old panels off, as that stops the whole thing from moving around so much when you're trying to line the new panels up.

Edited by AVV IT, 08 February 2012 - 01:42 PM.

[JonnyBMX]

The black E coating on heritage panels is fine to spray over, the stuff they use on pattern panels is a bit "hit & miss" though, so it's best to remove it.

I won't share the technique I used for replacing my front end though, as now I have an awful panel gap between the bonnet and off side wing, so clearly there are better ways of doing it. Although I've since learned that it's a good idea to change the front subby mounts to the solid variety, before you take the old panels off, as that stops the whole thing from moving around so much when you're trying to line the new panels up.

haha excellent, as it happens my friend just gave me some solid subframe mounts as hes just brought a z cars subframe for his!! lucky boy! i hear its best to put the front panel onto the subframe then fit around that as it is just bolted on ;) sounds so simple ahah! its gunna be a bstd welding on the inside of the wings to the front panel i can only assume. my cousin has a bodyshop and will be about to help but i want to get as much advise on it as possible dont want to make any un neccissary ******* ups lol!

[AVV IT]

i hear its best to put the front panel onto the subframe then fit around that as it is just bolted on ;) sounds so simple ahah!

Yeah that was the technique I used too... & it worked so well for me!! ... (admittedly that was probably more down to my complete lack of skill, than the technique itself though!! )

[JonnyBMX]

ahah! oh god think ill man up and ask my cousin! he said summin about using the bonnet to line something up, but i need to replace the scuttle lol! al so confusing for me lol! apparently its not even that hard of a job fitting a new front end... but to me fitting any of the other bits would be earier rather then having to match up about 6 panels to all join nicely lol!

[valve bounce]

i usally clamp the wing and front panel together this lots of mole grips and check the fit alot (bonnet gaps and scuttle gaps) then weld the wings to the front panel with it off the car so its easier. then drill the holes in the wings for plug welding and attach them to the car with self tapping screws and bolt the front panel to the subby and recheck the gaps again. once your happy with the gaps then start welding the wings/front panel to the car. i have also painted the underside of the front end before fitting, then once fitted you just have to spray around the joints were the paint has been burnt.

rob

[crazypainter]

i cantalkyou thru it over the phone if u like?

[JonnyBMX]

that sounds very good to me! i shall go see the car tonight and then let you know ( my cousin does actually own the bodyshop so he knows how to do it) but i want to get as much knowledge myself as i can as i plan on doing most of it myself!!