4 replies to this topic

[Cook]

Hi guys, as the title says I'm trying to understand at what point you start gapping the car, or is it done progressively as you work through rust repairs/panels etc.  Bearing in mind I have no knowledge of this so it might sound dumb but, in my case, I need bonnet hinge backings replaced, lower rad. support replaced, hatch C pillars and surrounds repaired (all normal rust problems) so I'm assuming you need to get these things right before you can start gapping, bonnet, hatch etc. Cheers Ron 

[mick_in_oz]

You really need to do it a few times.

 

It should be done before you start pulling anything apart. It always amazes me how some people pull a car to pieces before they confirm ALL the panels fit properly, just assuming they do after a 5 second look.

 

This is the time to look for previous accidents that might have pushed the front across, has a door sitting wrong, a pillar pushed in a small amount etc. It could be as simple as the edge of a door or guard is in a little more than it should be, and needs to be picked back out for the body line to be nice and straight, or perhaps in most cases better than when it was new. This is the time to find anything serious that might need major attention, better to do it at the start rather than after some of the repairs are done and then you having to do some of them again.

 

Only after all of this is confirmed should you start removing panels and doing repairs. Then along the way you will have some times where you will need to refit panels or items to confirm that your repairs went to plan and ended up with things where they should be. Then the final panel work should be done with all the panels fitted and gapped to make sure the body line is straight and correct and to check a repair on a door matches with the quarter panel or front guard etc they should be considered as one repair as the repair may have to continue onto the door etc, and it all  has to line up.

 

Spending time now and moving things a small amount here and there will make your life lots easier later as you will know what needs to be done, and also how will it fits, so should look the same or better once yours done.

 

Two fussy panel beaters and painters in the family will attest to the above.

[slar]

Agree with above.......I gapped all my panels while still in bare metal since all the panels where mix and match from different cars and over different years makes for a complete jigsaw puzzle.

Once gapped the best you can get it with untouched panels you can then see where adjustments will be necessary and you can rectify accordingly.......The panels on my car would of been removed and replaced at least 10 times over the repair stage ..........but once you've got the panels fairly aligned I agree with above you must do your final prep work with all panels in position so you can skim coat and high build prime adjacent panels to each other or you will never get it right.

Another tip is to fit door rubbers. door, bonnet and boot catches and bump stops before finishing so your doors, boot lid and bonnet are truly sitting in their final shut positions......you would be amazed how much difference a door rubber can make to panel fitment.........the extra pressure of the rubber will push the panel in all sorts of directions...ie a slightly worn door hinge for example will make the door sit flush with no extra pressure but under just the pressure of the rubber or bump stops the hinge will push out causing the panel to be proud of the next panel.......believe me there is nothing worse than not fitting them and having the car all painted then you go to install the rubbers and bump stops and find all your hard work was in vain......then you will spend ages trying to pull everything back into line and then find your door rubbers are way to tight and you wont be able to shut the doors without slamming them...not good.......do it right the first time and enjoy the nice finish you will get.

Cheers

Al

[mick_in_oz]

Forgot to include something I was thinking about that Al has touched on, unless the door hinge pins and bushes are perfect (I bet they are not being so old) now is a great time to get the pins and bushes from rare spares and do them before you start, nothing worse than trying to adjust a door with sloppy worn out hinges, lots worst if its a hatch with heavy doors and extra sloppy hinges.

[Cook]

Mick & Al thanks for the great advice.  I must admit I have been pushing the panel shop to fix some of the items before they start gapping (only because I thought it would progress quicker, but why am I trying to tell a professional what to do?).  I have been debating  whether or not to get the door and bonnet hinges looked at now or later so that answers that question.  One thing I hadn't considered was the impact new rubbers would have and I certainly need new ones so that's another trip to Rares or wherever.  I did read a thread on best fit somewhere here so I'll do some research on that.  Thanks again.  Cheers  Ron