GRP panel needs bending ... heat needed - how much?

[MikeyT]

This is a pic of my old interior panel on my fastback - which fitted okay - but is dented, torn, scuffed etc - so I bought some new ones.

But the *vertical* tabs on the new ones aren't the same. The one in the pic goes up at the edge of the panel and that is fine, the ones on the new ones have about a 5mm extra flat surface before the tab starts to go up - which throws them 5mm *out* of alignment.

It suggests in some paperwork I got with them that they can be *straightened* if they warp in storage (the whole panel that is) - but this stuff is about 3mm thick. It suggests the application of heat - but how much? Heat gun, hair dryer? Will they melt? Anyone any experience of heating and resetting GRP?

If I get a minute tomorrow I will take a pic of the new ones but I am trial fitting them on the car.

Edited by MikeyT on Friday 12th February 02:28

[Anatol]

That's a new one on me. I thought the resins used in GRP were thermoset, and wouldn't soften with heat.

A top-line hot air gun will have both fan speed and air temp settings (Henkel do a good one). You could experiment with that...?

Tol

[Tanguero]

Both polyester and epoxy resins are thermosetting. You will not be able to bend it with heat unless it is made out of something other than normal GRP.

Edited by Tanguero on Friday 12th February 18:38

[MikeyT]

Thanks guys - so I guess there IS NO WAY of bending it then?

Other than cut it off, reshape and somehow reattach to get the right profile?

[freecar]

MikeyT said:

Thanks guys - so I guess there IS NO WAY of bending it then?

Other than cut it off, reshape and somehow reattach to get the right profile?

.

Well it is possible to bend it with heat, it will just try to go back to it's original shape with time. How much time is a question, if the piec can be really clamped up once assembled it might be ok but chances are the tab holds the piece in position and it will then slowly start to shift.

All you can do is wrestle it into the correct position, secure with heavy duty taoe and such and apply heat. Allow to cool for a day or so and it will be the best it can be. But it will attempt to return to its original form.

[Tanguero]

If it is thermosetting then heat will not soften it.

ETA - If it is in fact thermoplastic then it will.

Edited by Tanguero on Tuesday 16th February 12:09

[MikeyT]

Tanguero said:

If it is thermosetting then heat will not soften it.

ETA - If it is in fact thermoplastic then it will.

Edited by Tanguero on Tuesday 16th February 12:09

How can I tell (or find out) which one it is?

[Tanguero]

By heating it?

[MikeyT]

Tanguero said:

By heating it?

No way of looking at it and knowing or recognising anything then ...

• Could be sat there for hours!

[V8covin]

If it's grp the strands of matting should be visible on the inside of the panel.
I did once try to 'twist' a grp door with an infra red heater. In vain I might add