Smoothing Grille to Bonnet...

12th January 2008, 19:44

As Above - How can i do this, Is it relatively easy, is there a guide?
Cheers
David

13th January 2008, 02:52

a smoothed dimma grill?

explain more

jib

13th January 2008, 03:01

I think it's a bodyshop jobbo dude

13th January 2008, 04:57

saturn saxo has this

13th January 2008, 08:21

have a look at "Baz", he has done it to his. they only down side in it is that if your constantly opening and closing the bonnet the filler cracks and looks abit shit

13th January 2008, 10:20

Haha well I don't plan to be opening the bonnet much tbh..
BUT, I can just filler this then?
Can't see it being a problem, Same with the mirrors tbh..
David

13th January 2008, 10:27

Yer you can do it your self , just make sure that you do you prep work and take you time .

To make it easier for you you could take off the bonnet and then just stick a cheap spare one on for the time been .

13th January 2008, 11:41

I'd use fibreglass instead of filler if possible. Less likely to sink/crack if done properly.

As said above, just make sure everything is well prepped and take your time, and you should then be able to do it yourself

13th January 2008, 11:41

The Bonnets off the car anyway, the car's going in for repair late next week

What sort of prep work would i need to do, and how would i do it?

13th January 2008, 11:59

You will need to use fiberglass as filler on its own will crack.

13th January 2008, 12:02

Fibreglass is a bit of a Fecker to use if i remember rightly, are there any general techniques to this, would i need to use fibreglass on the mirrors too, or would filler suffice?

13th January 2008, 13:05

yep the filler on mine has cracked slightly at the corners due to it sinking.

13th January 2008, 13:28

What about if the Grille was bonded / Stuck to the bonnet well before hand, so it was Solid etc, and then done?
I think it makes such a difference to the look of the car, and really want it done - Would fibreglass it if needs be, just not sure how to go about doing it really!
David

13th January 2008, 13:57

use the p38 fibreglass paste. Just treat is exactly the same as filler. Just mix paste and hardner together and smooth it into where you want it with the spreader thing that comes with it. Then use 80 grit sandpaper to shape it. Use a bit of filler last just to smooth oner any little imperfections.

Grill should be bonded/securely fixed before you put any fibreglass in else it may crack in the long run.

Prep work = degrease grille and bonnet around the grille. Then lightly scotch both areas so that the fibreglass will take to the surfaces.

13th January 2008, 14:04

Nice one, Cheers

13th January 2008, 14:09

EDIT: Didnt think there was such a thing as fibreglass paste, Halfords don't sell it!
Any suggestions?
Cheers

13th January 2008, 15:04

Halfords do sell it. Its called P38 body repair or summat. Comes in tins same as filler

13th January 2008, 15:05

should be next to the body filler on the shelf in fact!!!
If they say they dont sell it just slap the assistant!

13th January 2008, 15:12

Our halfords are hopeless, They don't have it! lmao.. oh well..

13th January 2008, 16:15

lol. any other motor factors should be able to get some

13th January 2008, 16:43

Got some P40 Fibreglass stuff, Seems like the stuff!
I'm experimenting with my mirrors.. lol should be interesting..
All i need is some Screws to Secure the Dimma to the bonnet, and I'll make a start with that...
If it all fails I'll just take it off, sand it all down etc and leave it!
Probably be an evening project, Now The cavaliers gone, I can't go anywhere anyway!

13th January 2008, 17:28

hi mate im a qualifyed panel beater and painter... alot of whats been said is a good way to do this. personally i would buy a sander... get 320 grit discs, 500 grit discs, 1000 grit discs and some grey scotch. sand out and stone chips on your bonnet first with 320 grit then 400 grit the whole thing. when you have properly sanded the whole bonnet you will notice that all the old lacure is completely smooth and the boonet should look a matt colour. degrease everything and bond the grill. then fiberglass and smooth it off. usually with fibreglass you get pin holes so filler is going to be needed. try not to get filler that is too rough as pin holes usually come through in that too. at work i use a product called dolphin glaze which is really smooth and runny and never leaves any pin holes. once all this is smooth and you have made sure you have got rid of any scratches from sanding with a block scotch the whole bonnet and degrease. i would also primer anywhere you can see bear metal showing or filler because if the good old english weather gets to it b4 you get it painted then it can somtimes react when painted and make things look crap. but as mentioned above it really is kinda a bodyshop job if you want it looking as good as a factory finish

13th January 2008, 17:32

do u want it looking like mine

13th January 2008, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamellis

hi mate im a qualifyed panel beater and painter... alot of whats been said is a good way to do this. personally i would buy a sander... get 320 grit discs, 500 grit discs, 1000 grit discs and some grey scotch. sand out and stone chips on your bonnet first with 320 grit then 400 grit the whole thing. when you have properly sanded the whole bonnet you will notice that all the old lacure is completely smooth and the boonet should look a matt colour. degrease everything and bond the grill. then fiberglass and smooth it off. usually with fibreglass you get pin holes so filler is going to be needed. try not to get filler that is too rough as pin holes usually come through in that too. at work i use a product called dolphin glaze which is really smooth and runny and never leaves any pin holes. once all this is smooth and you have made sure you have got rid of any scratches from sanding with a block scotch the whole bonnet and degrease. i would also primer anywhere you can see bear metal showing or filler because if the good old english weather gets to it b4 you get it painted then it can somtimes react when painted and make things look crap. but as mentioned above it really is kinda a bodyshop job if you want it looking as good as a factory finish

Thats really helpful mate.
Its not going to be on the car until its sprayed anyway, The car's in for a Full respray early next week, so want it done by the end of this week, Evening jobs after work and so on..
Once i've got it Fixed in place with some decent screws and something to secure it a little better, I'll start with the fibreglass stuff as you've said.

I'll leave the finishing touches to my uncle when he does the Full respray on the car!

Thanks
David

13th January 2008, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by joevtr02

do u want it looking like mine

No mate, still want the hole for mesh!
Cheers

14th January 2008, 20:38

Well...
Finally got off my arse today and found some decent screws to secure it in place..

So, Did that, and chucked some bonding stuff in for good measures.. Don't want it coming apart and causing cracks now do we

lol...

Here's what i have so far...
Plans are to start the Fibreglass stuff tomorrow, hopefully let it set and rub down a little bit, depending on the time

14th January 2008, 21:12

cool mate. get photos up as you go on - mini progress thread style!!!

14th January 2008, 21:19

Yeah will do

Got some of the mirrors up too in the other thread.. lol

16th January 2008, 21:33

Started this yesterday...
Fibreglassed and rubbed down and started with some filler!

Comments

lol

16th January 2008, 21:45

Looks good, keep me updated mate i've got a spare dimma here and always liked the smoothed in look... just never had any experience doing anything like this and i don't have a spare bonnet so i'd probably have to do it on the car!

16th January 2008, 21:47

Would Recommend having it off the car tbh, will take a few days and water getting in won't help!
Seems ok to do, plenty of work, but its all worth taking your time in the end.
I'm not exactly experienced, not to this level anyway!
Don't know till you try

16th January 2008, 22:01

anyone want to lend me a bonnet , lol

16th January 2008, 22:07

lol would if i could.. I do have a spare one, but its a little bent.. and fucked... i crashed.. lol