23 replies to this topic

[Guns n roses]

hey guys.just a quick q.whats the best way to cut a hole in a lx bonnet without wrecking the paint as its not getting painted any time soon!!

cheers

[TerrA LX]

Nibbler or electric sheers, protect with masking tape.

[wot179]

You could use a jigsaw.

1.Mark your hole with a whiteboard texta

2.Cover your lines with 2 inch masking tape

3.Put another run of tape around the inside and the outside of the first run of tape,overlapping about 5mm.Press it all down real firm.

4.Put another layer of tape over the first.

5.Put another layer over the second.

This is all just to protect the paint.

6.Mark your hole out again,this time with a ballpoint pen,or fineline marker.The finer the line,the easier it is to follow with a jigsaw.

7.Drill a 12mm hole in 2 corners,diagonally opposite each other.

8.Cut slowly but firmly along your lines,being careful where you meet in the corner.

9.Use a smooth flat file to tidy the edgeand to square up the start holes.

Be sure to use plenty of WD 40 to keep the blade lubed.If it grabs, your bonnet will get damaged.
Dont use cheap shit or blunt blades.Make sure they are for metal.





That said,I would still probably use an angle grinder.

[Guns n roses]

with a grinder what about the sparks flying everywhere from cutting ?

[wot179]

with a grinder what about the sparks flying everywhere from cutting ?

Take the bonnet off.
after you mask the hole,tape some old towels over the rest of the bonnet and give them a light spray with water to dampen them.
Not dripping wet,just damp enough to stop them catching on fire.
And wear rubber soled shoes just in case you get electroluxed.

[Guns n roses]

ok cheers guys..sounds like i got 2 options!

[Guns n roses]

cheers guys.all done!!used a jogsaw and a grinder!!..finished with pinch weld.all good!!

[MRLXSS]

Pics?

[Guns n roses]

u post it mrlxss if u want then.ha ha

[V-SLR5000-P]

Michael at the Sunroof Centre in Dandenong cut the hole in my bonnet. I had it marked out and he cut in a few minutes. Sunroof fitters are cutting the turrets of new cars without damaging paint everyday.

[rodomo]

Sunroof fitters are cutting the turrets of new cars without damaging paint everyday.

What did they use to cut yours?

[MRLXSS]

Nice!

Edited by MRLXSS, 22 June 2009 - 09:33 AM.

[V-SLR5000-P]

Sunroof fitters are cutting the turrets of new cars without damaging paint everyday.


What did they use to cut yours?

The Sunroof Centre have an electric shear, looks like a nibbler. It cut this hole with ease:

[V-SLR5000-P]

how did they get the edges all nice like that?

I didn't want a rubber trim around the hole. A mate who is a talented panel beater folded the edge by hand with vice grips (all very high tech!). Once it was over around 45 degrees he finished it off with a hammer and dolly. The edge put alot of strength back into the panel and stopped it flexing.

[V-SLR5000-P]

Cost was $0.00
I know Michael at the Sunroof Centre and my mate Ross tapped the flange over as a freebie. They could quote you on your own bonnet, the Sunroof Centre is in Dandenong Melbourne.