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Panel alignment question

2 Jan 2020, 8:08pm
Hi,

I have been reading a few build treads and I am curious, is it difficult to fit the panels and get good gap alignment, does it take a bit of fitting and refitting or fettling with the unibond?

If anyone can highlight the process or has some photos that would be great.

Thank

Vin
2 Jan 2020, 10:37pm
Which kit?

It varies depending on the kit, the donor, the weather and your understanding of 'a little more pressure will align just fine"
2 Jan 2020, 10:40pm
mine is a bit wonky in places because I am not that fussed but I have seen a couple of the SWBs where the panel gapping was EXACT. if it was 4mm between the door and the body then it was 4mm across the car.

Mine was quick and painless, drives just fine and is much admired. Theirs sold for £30K.
2 Jan 2020, 11:40pm
Go back a couple of pages on the forum and you'll find some very detailed build threads.
The consensus is that the basic panels fit easily enough, a little fettling is required to get a good fit. Take your time, there isn't anything difficult as such.
It does depend which kit you buy, the Z3 based Kobra and Z300 go together very quickly. You can be on the road in just a few days and be ready for paint.
3 Jan 2020, 9:12pm
Mine is taking some time, filling and flatting. Half way through the boot.
My boot wasn’t a good fit tbh and needed a lot of work.
3 Jan 2020, 11:08pm
Thanks guys. If the boot taking time as it mounted slightly off or twisted or does it just take the fettling?

I had thought it might be better to fit the lid first to stiffen it.
4 Jan 2020, 10:33am
If you can get the fit close enough your body shop will do the finer points before they paint it ! They'll also have all the kit and experience to do it quickly and to a high standard.
4 Jan 2020, 4:43pm
Topcat2Vin wrote:
Thanks guys. If the boot taking time as it mounted slightly off or twisted or does it just take the fettling?

I had thought it might be better to fit the lid first to stiffen it.


The bottom lip of the boot was proud of the rear clam by 5-10 mm. If i cut material off the front edge the 90 degree bend didn’t fit. But hey ho you just have to be patient and you will get there in the end.