Side panel finish - what to do?

[clynos1]

As my last posting stated my ‘Kit’ arrived on Monday therefore have spent the last few days fitting, if that’s the right word, the rear bulkhead and side panels. Now that they are finished and awaiting the rivet gun, I am now contemplating the look I want from the car. Not pain alloy but some finish like Leather, Carpet, Anodizing or Powder Coat to match the rest of the car.
Have any of you guys carried out these mods and if so do you get the powder coating / anodizing done before you bend the panels over the top side rails, likewise how do you finish of the top of the side panels if you carpet them.
Are there any build sites showing this, can't seam to find one!
Any help / advice would be greatly received.
David

[Steve_D]

Just carpeted mine after getting fed up trying to keep the ali clean.
Purchased some nice thin carpet material at Stoneleigh and just stuck it on.

Steve

[deadscoob]

If you powder coat, it's best to do it when the panel is ready to be final fitted, with all holes drilled etc.

[Stig]

clynos1 said:

As my last posting stated my ‘Kit’ arrived on Monday therefore have spent the last few days fitting, if that’s the right word, the rear bulkhead and side panels. Now that they are finished and awaiting the rivet gun, I am now contemplating the look I want from the car. Not pain alloy but some finish like Leather, Carpet, Anodizing or Powder Coat to match the rest of the car.
Have any of you guys carried out these mods and if so do you get the powder coating / anodizing done before you bend the panels over the top side rails, likewise how do you finish of the top of the side panels if you carpet them.
Are there any build sites showing this, can't seam to find one!
Any help / advice would be greatly received.
David

I would imagine powder coat will crack if you try napping the panels over the chassis rails with them finished.

Anodizing will scratch too easily.

Carpet is easy and looks good and, more importantly, stays looking good.

Of course, there's always carbon fibre too....

[clynos1]

Thanks for the info, I have some panels already made in Carbon Fibre but not the side panels, Front and rear bulkhead plus Rad panel and Battery panel.
Steve, Carpet sounds good, hope you will let me have a look at your car on Sunday at Stoneleigh?
Regards
David