Skip to main content

MadaboutKitcars

This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Bonnet/fibre glass re shaping

25 Feb 2016, 12:56am
Hi guys
Since my bonnet has been refitted I've noticed that the front corner now sits higher than it should. The rest fits fine along the front. Is it possible to heat up the bonnet from the inside then put a weight on the corner to persuade it to go down?
I hope so.
I will have to be careful about my new paint job!
Has anybody tried anything similar ?
25 Feb 2016, 10:15am
Am I doomed for disaster if I try this?
25 Feb 2016, 11:37am
You may wreck your paint job. When I overheated my bonnet it went ripply but I will let the glass experts comment
25 Feb 2016, 3:09pm
if you over do it with the heat any air trapped in the fiberglass will expand and blow the finish, very risky
25 Feb 2016, 7:02pm
Well... I added some heat, not a lot, from the inside. She is now sitting in the garage with about 7 kg of weight resting on the offending corner. Will leave it over night and take a look tomorrow when I get back from work. I really hope it works :)
26 Feb 2016, 4:58pm



It's only working :)
26 Feb 2016, 7:08pm
The chequered flag in Chiswick used to have problems with the TVR boot lids sitting too high.
They used to leave them in the spray oven overnight with a couple of old batteries sitting on them at a low heat.
Used to do the trick but they always used to go back to the original shape.
The just kept on doing it until the customer gave up and stopped coming back.
26 Feb 2016, 7:35pm
slit the bottom of the lid, warp into correct shape and add a layer or two of fiberglass to the inside. That should keep it in place.
26 Feb 2016, 7:38pm
molleur wrote:
slit the bottom of the lid, warp into correct shape and add a layer or two of fiberglass to the inside. That should keep it in place.


I did that ages ago before it went to paint (the first time)
I'm a bit reluctant because I don't wish to damage the paint, but if it does not work then I may try it again.
26 Feb 2016, 7:40pm
That is the only method I have found to work permanently.
Best of luck!