fiberglass panels negative/postitives
Turbo Mini Forums

im thinking for the van to buy some fiberglass rear barn doors, that still work like normal doors.

is there a big weight saving in these types of things? thinking a bonnet also & thats about it really.

instead of fixing the rust i can get some of these, can you see any problem?

any one use them at all? do they squeak/attle or do anything funny like that? im going to use all my
locks and mounts etc.

has any one used something like this?

http://www.carbonweezel.co.uk/a_panels.html

are they a bad idea? strength and safety wise? can they be painted over?

Edited by NickG on 4th Jul, 2011.

The rear doors will be fine if you get the heavy duty type not the race weight ones as they flex alot, don't expect them to be much lighter though from what i've heard. As for the bonnet, theres anough people using them myself included and there fine but you'll want carbon if you really want to save weight.

Edited by george91 on 4th Jul, 2011.

As far as fibreglass goes, ive got a full two piece heavy duty front end, including a panels and a roof skin, you still save weight, and they dont rot.
From my experience with the stuff, from 2 different companies is that theres a lot of fettling to do to get anything to fit right, everything is slightly out of shape/the wrong size and its just generally messy to work with. I still haven't found the best way to paint it either. My front end is on, but its always going to look like fibreglass so there's not much point in trying to disguise it. The roof shouldn't look any different when fitted, and i shouldn't think doors would either. Just dont buy cheap, id hate to think how my front would have been if it was a 100 odd quid job off ebay.

As has been discussed many times, for simple panels GRP is as light as carbon. Carbon only get lighter when you use it for strength.

I would agree with the above though, unless you are a total wizz with the GRP it is difficult to get the shut lines spot on.

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thanks lads. i sprayed up some fiberglass stuff it's not hard at all.

2 pac seems to go over it nicely as long as you put a few good coasts on.