They Said it Couldn't be Done...

[arhTVR]

You could use Upol Reface to put a gel-coat like surface over reasonably smooth GRP mat. If necessary, you could put a thin layer of two pack stopper on first, and sand down before using Reface.
I have some spare of both in my garage, and I live close to Sheffield.
Hope this helps.
Tony.

[v8s4me]

Tony - many thanks for the offer but unfortunately I live way down south in Buckinghamshire. Happy Christmas

[v8s4me]

Just a bit more shaping to do on the header rail but as you can see it's nearly there...





So, header rail plus the folding frame....



Do "they" still say "...it can't be done!"? Bah humbug...

Edited by v8s4me on Sunday 28th December 00:19

[magpies]

looking pretty damn good

[v8s4me]

Now it's up....











Now it's down...........

Ta......daaaa........... a folding roof

Still a few "minor details" to sort out

[Driller]

That's excellent work, you must be pretty satisfied with the way it's going

[magpies]

what /\ he said

[v8s4me]

Still one or two gaps where the rain can get in, but going in the right direction

[TvrJohn]

Well done, looks like its going to work

[Alan Whitaker]

Well don Joe, 10 out of 10.

Alan

[Top Gear TVR]

This is brilliant work

[v8s4me]

Thanks chaps I've bought some leather cloth from Dunelm to have a play with and see how I might be able to make a hood. I've still got the original heated rear screen which came with the MX5 hood so I'm wondering if it might be possible to put that in. More finishing to be done on the the header rail and painting the frame first though. The fun and games continue

[magpies]

will you be using the mx5 door windows to match the hood shape. Having stripped my S doors it looks a possibility

[v8s4me]

magpies said:

.......will you be using the MX5 door windows ...

I didn't buy the whole car! For the time being I'm going to stick with the original mirrors because they are in good condition and were resprayed in 2011 so look pretty good. I am looking round for alternatives though for when I finally get fed up with re-tightening them or the stupid internal casting snaps (again!).

For anyone new to this thread, I'm still on the look-out for the moulding which holds the rear part of the hood to the tub.

[v8s4me]

Final bit of ply laminating and sanding done now...



HELP! I followed the mixing instructions but the GF resin I put on to bond the brackets to the header is still tacky after two hours. I've tried a bit of heat using the heat-gun and it's gone off a bit but still tacky. Is this normal? Can I start layering the matting while the first coat is still tacky?

As the moment I'm using insulating tape to protect the top of the windscreen while I'm messing about getting the fitting right - see the red stuff in the photo. Does anyone have any 1" - 2" wide strips of that heavy duty transparent protective stuff left over so I can protect this edge properly once it's all done?

[phillpot]

v8s4me said:

still tacky after two hours.

Not a problem so long as its gone hard, if you sand it the dust will cure the tackyness

v8s4me said:

Can I start layering the matting while the first coat is still tacky?

Yes

v8s4me said:

that heavy duty transparent protective stuff left over

left over from what?

[v8s4me]

Thank Phillpot. I've brought everything into the kitchen now so maybe the next lot will go off quicker.

phillpot said:

...left over from what? ..

Maybe some kind soul has some off-cuts left over from covering their bonnet or wings etc. Is it called Armourguard or some thing?

[glenrobbo]

I got sick of leftovers, chucked them all away in the green bin

Joe, Alan W. recommended using wide sellotape. Try that.

It's all looking good so far, I'm admiring your tenacity.

Good luck.

[phillpot]

v8s4me said:

Is it called Armourguard or some thing?

Why didn't you say so, like this stuff.

[v8s4me]

phillpot said:

..Why didn't you say so, like this stuff.

That's the stuff. I thought it was more expensive than that.