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How To Bend The A-panel Lip Around Without The Right Tools.


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#1 Retro_10s

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Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:45 PM

** You should always use the correct tools and safety precautions when doing any sort of work on your car,.. This is NOT the correct way of bending the A-panel lip around, however i have done it on my car and it looks spot-on.. so if you're struggling for cash or just downright refuse to buy a hammer and dolly set to do the job properly,.. this is for you guys**

Okay so you've got your A-panels nicely spot/plug welded on and now you need to bend the lip around to finish the door frame.... But you don't have the right tools for the job.... never fear!

YOU WILL NEED:

A pair of molegrips (i use the ones with a large and flat clamping edge, not a point)
An old duster or Rag,.. in my case,.. My best Chamoise :) :P
A small block of 4x1 timber or similar
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STEP 1:

Wrap the timber with the Rag/Duster/Lovely clean Chamoise that you really shouldn't be using:
Posted Image

STEP 2:

Offer the Timber up to panel over the area of Lip that you want to bend (easy to start at the bottom of the panel)
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STEP 3:

Now,.. you need to set the molegrips so that when you fully squeeze them shut,.. they will bend the lip inwards,.. this might take a couple of goes but once it's set up correctly,.. it will work every time. You might also have to bring the handle of the grips towards the inside of the mini to get the lip started, but once it's slightly bent it should just fold over nicely :( again,.. start slowly and ease the lip over
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Once you're done it should look like this, with the lip fully clamped around:
Posted Image

Then all that's left is to smear some seam selear where the lip that you've just clamped over stops,.. This is an extra precaution to stop water getting inbetween the panels (even with paint on it could happen)
Posted Image

Hope this Helps some-one out there!

#2 captain kirk

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Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:48 PM

brillant thats how i did mine :)

#3 Retro_10s

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Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:51 PM

i did the other side first but used a thick door shim :).... the wood was better.

Jammy told me to post this up in the hope that it might get pinned to the FAQ section lol :P :(

#4 panelbeaterpeter

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Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:54 PM

Haha! quality. Must add those items to my toolbox.

#5 captain kirk

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Posted 05 June 2008 - 09:55 PM

funny you should say that i tried using a bit of metal ie the old a panel , then wood,wood was the best

#6 BMC Paul

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Posted 07 June 2008 - 03:55 AM

i did my a panel that simple way!


Attached File  mysilvermini001_1.jpg   225.24K   889 downloads

Attached File  mysilvermini002_1.jpg   195.25K   844 downloads

#7 nordicmini

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Posted 01 August 2008 - 10:37 PM

i did my a panel that simple way!


Attached File  mysilvermini001_1.jpg   225.24K   889 downloads

Attached File  mysilvermini002_1.jpg   195.25K   844 downloads



When you have bent the lip round on the A panel that lip should be welded

#8 freaker

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Posted 12 November 2008 - 06:24 AM

i'm planning on doing an a panel soon,
but i'm not quit getting the mole grip thing,

you have to put it, so when it closes it bends the lip ? ? how do you do that ?

i can't wreally think of a way that it would bend when i close the molegrip...

freaker

#9 Tomf

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Posted 12 November 2008 - 08:58 AM

i'm planning on doing an a panel soon,
but i'm not quit getting the mole grip thing,

you have to put it, so when it closes it bends the lip ? ? how do you do that ?

i can't wreally think of a way that it would bend when i close the molegrip...

freaker


I dont know if it would be better for you, but iv heard good things about these, http://www.skineeztools.com/

#10 Jack Jones

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Posted 29 November 2008 - 10:02 PM

how do you do it with dorr on, my mat did mine for me on the last front end but cant seem to remember how he did it, doors on aswell
and it fitted good

#11 rot remover 71

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Posted 17 December 2008 - 07:56 PM

how do you do it with dorr on, my mat did mine for me on the last front end but cant seem to remember how he did it, doors on aswell
and it fitted good

i ran a line of seam sealer,polyurethane type,down the lip and then folded it over,then smoothed it down with finger

#12 beaubrad

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Posted 17 December 2008 - 08:10 PM

what about mini's with external hinges? ? ? ? ? ?

#13 Retro_10s

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Posted 18 December 2008 - 03:19 PM

A-panels for earlier minis with external hinges require a different approach.

If i remember correctly,..'Rosslin Racing' posted up a thread with drtailed pictures and instructions on how to fit Early type A-panel's ensuring everything lines up nicely.

#14 beaubrad

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Posted 12 January 2009 - 06:51 PM

If i remember correctly,..'Rosslin Racing' posted up a thread with drtailed pictures and instructions on how to fit Early type A-panel's ensuring everything lines up nicely.
[/quote]
where can i find this???

#15 Retro_10s

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Posted 13 January 2009 - 03:40 PM

where can i find this???


you can use the search function, or ask Rosslin yourself using the Pm function >_<




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