Fitting a new bonnet

[snowy892]

Hi Guys,

Got a new bonnet today, has anyone got any tips/tricks for a perfect fit, as you can see from the pictures it's slightly out!!

Thank you

[TAFKARM]

That’s the least of your worries, it’s the wrong colour!

[snowy892]

I'm having it wrapped!!

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

As i'm assuming it's second hand, it will have cured fully, by now, I'm sure, so won't have as much natural flex as a new one, still green oot of the mould.

 

Heat is you're friend here. Unfortunately, it's a bad time of year to be doing it. Ideally, you'd leave it out directly in the sun on a hot fairly cloud free day.

 

It's amazing how much more pliable they get, to fit to the "new" shape car.

 

Heat lamps is a poor second but can help. At the very least being kept in a warm room for 24 hours before trying to fit will reduce the chance of cracking.

 

As it's not been matched to the scuttle and nose cone before, it may need the returns on the front and rear edges of the bonnet trimming a little to match. Likewise, the alignment blocks on the tub sides may need a little reshaping to suit, along with checking the recesses for them in the bonnet lower edges are clear from flash and any debris.

 

But it's just one of those work slowly, measure twice, only take small amounts off at a time jobs.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Oh, and until it fits up against the other bodywork as well as you can get it, remove anything on the car that might obstruct it, like bonnet pins, etc.

[snowy892]

Hi Dave,

It's brand new, picked it up from Westfield today. However, picking up your point about temperature I might wait till its warmer before fitting. 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

If it’s brand new, it won’t have fully hardened yet, so just don’t let it get too cold, but best fitted as soon as possible. The longer it’s left the more fully the GRP will have cured, and the stiffer it will become.

[snowy892]

Day 2. Much better fit, after cross reference from orignal bonnet. Still adjustment required on the nose cone end. Maybe I need some of that rubber strip.