|
|
Post by camspeed on Mar 14, 2020 17:46:07 GMT
I asked the facebook group about fitting the screens and most suggested putting spaces between body and screen.
Apparently it improves airflow effect? thoughts mate?
|
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 14, 2020 19:42:21 GMT
I asked the facebook group about fitting the screens and most suggested putting spaces between body and screen. Apparently it improves airflow effect? thoughts mate? Hmmmm, don’t know about airflow, but I know about materials, and the use of spacers (even with 6 bolts per screen) would create a lot of stress at speed around the fixing points. As the screens are Perspex, this flexing around the bolt points would naturally lead to cracking over time. By bonding the screens to the bonnet, this spreads the load and reduces the risk of cracking (I intend to loosen the bolts slightly and let the PU take the load once its fully gone off). If you wanted to stand the screen off from the bonnet with spacers, you’d need to significantly reinforce the lower part of the screen to spread the load... probably best to cut and shape some aluminium sheet and bond either side of the screen at the bottom. That would solve the stress on the screen but you’d still have stress on the fixing points on the GRP bonnet. Then there’s water... if it rains, the water will run up the bonnet,through the gap and into your face! |
|
|
|
Post by buildityourself on Mar 14, 2020 19:48:30 GMT
Even though you used PU adhesive, isnt' it only the vinyl wrap sticky back holding the screen on? presumably the PU is between the vinyl and the body? If correct couldn't you PU direct to the screen to get the black effect?
|
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 14, 2020 19:57:25 GMT
Even though you used PU adhesive, isnt' it only the vinyl wrap sticky back holding the screen on? presumably the PU is between the vinyl and the body? If correct couldn't you PU direct to the screen to get the black effect? Yes, the PU is bonding the vinyl wrap to the bonnet but the bond between the vinyl and the screen is very strong as is over a reasonable surface area (same principal that makes Velcro very strong). I would suggest that getting the black effect by using PU alone would be a full on nightmare! You’d need a shed load of masking tape and coverage would never be complete so it wouldn’t look great. I love PU adhesive, it’s great, but it’s a bitch to colour within the lines with! |
|
|
|
Post by camspeed on Mar 14, 2020 20:05:58 GMT
I asked the facebook group about fitting the screens and most suggested putting spaces between body and screen. Apparently it improves airflow effect? thoughts mate? Hmmmm, don’t know about airflow, but I know about materials, and the use of spacers (even with 6 bolts per screen) would create a lot of stress at speed around the fixing points. As the screens are Perspex, this flexing around the bolt points would naturally lead to cracking over time. By bonding the screens to the bonnet, this spreads the load and reduces the risk of cracking (I intend to loosen the bolts slightly and let the PU take the load once its fully gone off). If you wanted to stand the screen off from the bonnet with spacers, you’d need to significantly reinforce the lower part of the screen to spread the load... probably best to cut and shape some aluminium sheet and bond either side of the screen at the bottom. That would solve the stress on the screen but you’d still have stress on the fixing points on the GRP bonnet. Then there’s water... if it rains, the water will run up the bonnet,through the gap and into your face! Well that’s much the same as I thought. I have one bonded and bolted and need to fit a passenger screen. I can’t see the screens could take the point loading either. Not on track speeds. I am even considering secondary fastenings for the bonnet at the sides of the number plate. At 90mph it looks like it’s taking serious stress and I worry it will crack off! |
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 22, 2020 18:47:08 GMT
I’m all registered and on the road! - a ray of sunlight (for me at least) in otherwise somber times.   |
|
|
|
Post by camspeed on Mar 23, 2020 6:52:37 GMT
|
|
russhowell
Full
2004 1.8 Euphonic Mk 2.5 Arctic Blue 75,000Miles
Posts: 141
|
Post by russhowell on Mar 23, 2020 9:58:54 GMT
Great news. Well impressed with your build, well deserved,
Cheers
Russ
|
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 26, 2020 17:29:16 GMT
Inspired by my Volvo (no judgements please) bonnet gas struts, I thought how hard can it be, so I gave it a go... My first attempt was woeful. I used 2x 150Nm short (250mm) struts attached with small (supplied) brackets and pu’d to the bonnet on small(ish) aluminium plates.  It did not hold the bonnet up, not even close! So I ordered 2x 400Nm gas struts... much better, just the right amount of force to hold up the bonnet BUT.... the bracket on the frame bent, the plate on the bonnet pushed against the bonnet so hard when closed that it visibly bulged and finally the plates gave way and came off the bonnet. Not to be outdone I chopped up and drilled some 3mm thick 30mm angle stainless steel, and fitted more solid ball studs. Overkill?... maybe, but it works!   |
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 29, 2020 17:49:51 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by martinw on Mar 29, 2020 18:00:09 GMT
Ouch - that's such a shame  . Must have been scary too - I saw the bonnet fly off an early Exocet that Stuart Mills was driving at Curborough.....not pleasant! What actually went? Was it the pins at the front? Stating the bl**ding obvious, but it's made a right mess of the bonnet too hasn't it  . Good luck with your repairs. Martin |
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 29, 2020 18:09:35 GMT
Yes, the bonnet poppers just gave way. My fault for buying cheap ones! I think the bonnet is toast, it’s cracked all over and spent a fair bit of time skidding down the road.
|
|
|
|
Post by p5curly on Mar 29, 2020 18:37:08 GMT
We had cheap bonnet poppers at the start of our build but soon invested in some aero catches that seem to work well
|
|
|
|
Post by Stewart on Mar 29, 2020 18:46:06 GMT
Ouch! Send me over a piece of the original bonnet and we’ll see if we can colour match for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by themorgster on Mar 29, 2020 19:55:37 GMT
Ouch! Send me over a piece of the original bonnet and we’ll see if we can colour match for you. Will do, cheers Stuart. |
|
.
.
