1 registered members (1 invisible),
247
guests, and 3
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums69
Topics113,610
Posts1,341,237
Members1,804
|
Most Online731 Jan 14th, 2020
|
|
|
LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41191
01/02/2006 01:58
01/02/2006 01:58
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033 I WANT F40
S1MMA
OP
Competition Level
|
OP
Competition Level
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033
I WANT F40
|
I've just had a load of work done on my car by a paintshop, to make a short story long:
here's what I had done:
Bonnet repaired (few dents, one large) and fully sprayed Front bumper repaired (2 scuffs) and fully sprayed Rear bumper repaired (1 small scuff) and fully sprayed LE front lips (fibreglass copies) sprayed and fitted LE Sideskirts (fibreglass copies) sprayed and fitted
The job took one week. The paint job is great, no complaints about that. The bonnet has been well repaired, the rear bumper is also fine, the colour match isnt 100% perfect (I'd say about 85%) but the original paint is faded, so it'll do.
Few problems with the kit though: one of the LE lips is not attached closely to the bumper at the front edge (the bit nearest to the numberplate). There is a gap where the bonding agent has not fully stuck the lip to the bumper, and so the lip comes away a little bit. I know that these lips arent a perfect fit, but thought a reputable bodyshop will still be able to adjust them to fit somehow. I say Marius's guide on his site, and his technique was good - fitted them flush no problemo. I'm not too bothered about this, as the kit isnt original it's half my fault for using a crap kit, bit annoying but I can live with it for now (may get ads plastic lips, or a full LE bumper in the future).
The big problem: both the doors on the car dont close without using a fair bit of force. When opening them they 'ping' open, like some pressure was being put on them - and releasing the catch lets releases the pressure. I had a good look at why this was happening, and it seems that the skirts meet the black plastic kick plates above the sills (normal on an LE, I checked), and the door is actually rubbing the skirts as it closes, hence the skirt has been damaged by the opening and closing of the door (paint has actually come off). It looks like the doors may have dropped over time, and found a resting position where the skirts now sit, so they should have been re-alighned.
The skirts are also not fitted very well. They have been bonded on along the tops of the skirts, but are completely loose at the bottom. You can actually move the skirts around by lifting them up and down, and they've been screwed in at both ends of the sills (1 screw on 3 of the sills, 3 screws on one sill???). These screws are basically holding the damn thing in place, with the small amount of bonding helping keeping them on the car.
I called them to tell them I was happy with X, and unhappy with Y. They were a little reluctant to help at first, but after being pushed they said for me to bring the car back for them to sort out. This garage had cars like Skylines/TT's being done when I dropped the car off, and is used by a huge german manufactured car dealership to fit OE bodykits. They should know what they're doing TBH, but I think only having the car for 1 week they were rushed. I told them if they needed it for longer they should've said so, but its all water under the bridge now.
So, I'll give them another chance to fix the skirts/doors, but wanted to ask you chaps what techniques are best to fix these skirts on solid. Where should it be bonded, how much should be used, and do you need those unsightly screws (cant you get screws with covers to hide them?).
What would be great is if you guys could post pics up of your skirts, where they attach to the sill from the bottom/sides (by the arches)/top etc.... and what was used to attach the bottoms to the underside of the car.
I want to go back fully armed and tell them exactly what needs to be done, they can do the work - but I think they rushed it. I havent seen anywhere else that has sprayed a bonnet like mine, really is top class - shame they couldnt do a perfect job on the rest - but hey, thats life sometimes.
All help and pics appreciated. Cheers all.
S1MMA.
Sideways a LOT
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41192
01/02/2006 03:03
01/02/2006 03:03
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Can't help with the specifics of your query but I am sure I have seen pics showing skirts that have been fitted and how it was done on the old forum - if memory serves I believe that someone has used pop rivets in the piece that wraps around the wheel arch which looks very neat. What I wondered is how much that little lot set you back?
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41194
01/02/2006 04:03
01/02/2006 04:03
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,443 Balmedie, Aberdeen, Scotland
Tartandude
Forum is my life
|
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,443
Balmedie, Aberdeen, Scotland
|
Simma, I would of happily taking pics but unfortunately my cars in the garage at the moment.. Sorry
Ex 20VT - now something far more sensible'ish...
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41195
01/02/2006 05:07
01/02/2006 05:07
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I made some brackets to fit the under the skirts so they met with the sill. This stops any flex full stop The brackets don't need to be fancy. You could make some with a pair of tin-snips. Then mount them to the tabs on the skirts and to the sill.
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41196
01/02/2006 05:15
01/02/2006 05:15
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
i fibreglassed my skirts to the sills just ran it along the top edge of the skirt. easy fit
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41197
01/02/2006 07:01
01/02/2006 07:01
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394 Poland
Mariusz
My job on the forum
|
My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394
Poland
|
Quote:
I say Marius's guide on his site, and his technique was good - fitted them flush no problemo. I'm not too bothered about this, as the kit isnt original it's half my fault for using a crap kit, bit annoying but I can live with it for now.
Thanks a lot.. on my bumper lips look so as original, but I know, assembly is not easy. Where did you buy your kit ? ...in AutoDS ?
AutoDS Team Poland
Fiat Coupe Spoilers www.autods.net
10% Discount Coupon: fccuk
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41198
01/02/2006 07:04
01/02/2006 07:04
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Hello mate,
Just fitted Joy Tuning skirts to mine and to be honest I DIDNT TRUST the bodyshop to fit them so I did it myself. I know this doesnt help you now but if your that unhappy, for the sake of 45 quid you could always get another pair. Judging by what ive read before its pot luck on how well the skirts initially fit to the car. Mine wernt bad but in my opinion they will always need a few hours work with a Dremmel to get them to fit just right. The body shop WILL NOT do this.
I reshaped the front ends where they go inside the arch to fit in line with the metal thats already there. I trimmed down the backs aswell as they seemed to go into the arch space too far and catch the eye. I also just cut off all the tabs on the underside as they do nothing.
I predrilled and pot riveted 3no on each wheel arch end and used a thin bead of silka flex along the upper edge by the door. The bottoms are unsupported but this doesnt seem to be a problem so far.
I also used the silkaflex to seal the gaps between the skirt and front/back wings and smoothe of with my finger.
Only then did I take it to the body shop!!
THe only really diffcult bit was judging whet angle to set them at as you can lean them in or out to suit your self really as they are not fixed underneath. I ended up with the rear bottom corners lining up about 10mm inside the outer tyre line of the back wheel when you look down the side of the car.
Sorry if this makes no sense, I would post some pictures if I knew how.
Hope this helps.
James.
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41199
01/02/2006 07:31
01/02/2006 07:31
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033 I WANT F40
S1MMA
OP
Competition Level
|
OP
Competition Level
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033
I WANT F40
|
cheers for the above all. Jamesyboy, if you want to send me some pics - send them to farhad9@yahoo.com and I'll put them up for you no problem. I use photobucket.com to put up my pics by the way - check them out, free site for hosting pics.
Sideways a LOT
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41200
01/02/2006 07:31
01/02/2006 07:31
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033 I WANT F40
S1MMA
OP
Competition Level
|
OP
Competition Level
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033
I WANT F40
|
Marius, I bought them from one of the ebay guys, think he was in poland but I forget the name of the firm. Wasnt joy tuning though.
Sideways a LOT
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41202
01/02/2006 08:42
01/02/2006 08:42
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394 Poland
Mariusz
My job on the forum
|
My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394
Poland
|
Quote:
I also just cut off all the tabs on the underside as they do nothing.
All AutoDS LE side skirts have not tabs on the underside.
Quote:
Marius, I bought them from one of the ebay guys, think he was in poland but I forget the name of the firm. Wasnt joy tuning though.
Why didn't you buy in AutoDS ? Our kit fits very good..
AutoDS Team Poland
Fiat Coupe Spoilers www.autods.net
10% Discount Coupon: fccuk
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41203
01/02/2006 08:54
01/02/2006 08:54
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033 I WANT F40
S1MMA
OP
Competition Level
|
OP
Competition Level
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033
I WANT F40
|
I actually bought the kit mid last year - before I knew of AutoDS - otherwise I would have bought them from you!
So the underside tabs are useless, can the underside not be bonded on solid?
Sideways a LOT
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41204
01/02/2006 09:04
01/02/2006 09:04
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
hi i take it u got a fibre glass body kit they r a pain at the best of times jap kits on corsas and saxos . i have worked in bodyshops and will be going back soon hopefully and in my opion the only good bodykits for fit is the irmscher for vauxhall they say its factory fitted but it done by the dealer bodyshops usually. even audi and vw is cheaply made ms design stuff not the fit but finish of plastic
but not is all the kits fault
i have original fiat le bumper and skirts , i found one problem to be the fact that there is so much stone chip on the sills, if u look at a le or plus the side skirts fit in the gap between the sill and wings more flush then on 20vt. i belive they dont have as much if any stone chip that high up th sills
with the underneath on the le and plus there are captive nuts in the sill. u could rivet some anchor nuts in correct place lined up with hole in bottom skirt tabs ,making sure u seal any holes or seal the lot once riveted, under seal will do but no gaps get it covered.
the type of anchor nuts r the one with the flanged bottoms 2 holes for rivets with the nut protruding out the top .
the side will still have to be riveted/screwed/bonded on same as the top edge
hope that is of some help
Last edited by cheech; 01/02/2006 09:06.
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41206
01/02/2006 21:12
01/02/2006 21:12
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I had pics of my skirt install which I think Tartandude hosted for me on the old forum... Tartandude do you still have them or am I going barmy?
Last edited by iamholam; 01/02/2006 21:13.
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41209
01/02/2006 21:32
01/02/2006 21:32
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Thanks Tartandude:
Basically I think my skirts were bonded on the top edge and held my a screw or bolt near the top of the skirt (as in skirt001 pic)
The front of the skirt was painted in a rubbery substance to protect it from stones coming off the front wheel which seems a good idea.
I too think that my drivers door has dropped a little as the corner of the door has scraped a small hole where it has come in contact with the skirt but hope to get this fixed the next time I take it to a garage. (door is fine on the passenger side)
Hope that helps!
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41210
01/02/2006 22:53
01/02/2006 22:53
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033 I WANT F40
S1MMA
OP
Competition Level
|
OP
Competition Level
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,033
I WANT F40
|
excellent, cheers for that guys - the screws/bolts that are holding your skirts on really do look a lot better than the ones they used on mine.
Anyone got pics of the underside of the skirts, and the way they attach to the car?
Sideways a LOT
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41211
02/02/2006 04:50
02/02/2006 04:50
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
if your kit is fibre glass u wont need to fix it underneath as it is riddged, but if worried u could do as i suggested before
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41212
02/02/2006 08:24
02/02/2006 08:24
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
@ Iamholam - skirts looking good. I remember you buying them off me last year. They are Joy tuning jobbies.
I have just changed my mind about the skirts again and have just bought a full painted kit from AutoDS!
I might contact you for some fitting advice - they look very neatly done.
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41213
02/02/2006 09:16
02/02/2006 09:16
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Mariusz
I have been looking at your site and would be interested in the LE skirts and lips
What price would shipping to the UK be ?
Is the price for spraying per item ie I would have to multiply by 4 ?
Thank for any help ..
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41214
02/02/2006 18:21
02/02/2006 18:21
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394 Poland
Mariusz
My job on the forum
|
My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394
Poland
|
no.. no.. no.. LE kit: 90 GBP Painting: 79 GBP Insured shipping cost: 26GBP
AutoDS Team Poland
Fiat Coupe Spoilers www.autods.net
10% Discount Coupon: fccuk
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41215
02/02/2006 22:07
02/02/2006 22:07
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
ok ok ok :-)
I guess I will be ordering some of them in the next few weeks then
Cheers for the quick reply..
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41216
02/02/2006 22:27
02/02/2006 22:27
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Where is the fitting guide on the AutoDS site?
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41217
03/02/2006 01:06
03/02/2006 01:06
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394 Poland
Mariusz
My job on the forum
|
My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394
Poland
|
AutoDS Team Poland
Fiat Coupe Spoilers www.autods.net
10% Discount Coupon: fccuk
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41218
03/02/2006 03:39
03/02/2006 03:39
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
dont use silicone on your kits, use either sikflex to bond and if u want to paint over the bond use sealer(not underseal but stuff in tubes for sealer guns) as the paint can start to flake off the sikflex in time, and wont stick to silicone
never use silicone
also u should always trial fit the kit without the sealer before painting. to align up and make screw/rivet holes if needed
i allways fit take off prep paint fit ,thats is the way every bodyshop i worked in does it
dont worry if sealer goes up the bumper or out the skirts in the door shut have a mutton cloth soaked in thinners/degreaser and wipe away ,worth noting the more sealer u put on the more mess it makes so use as little as needed
u can use masking tape to hold parts down and keep them tight to the bumper just hold the tape tight on edges and push it down on to the bumper. u can use panel clamps but use a bit of cardboard between the clamp and panel
also making sure where u r bonding/sealing is clean dry degreased and keyed up
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41219
03/02/2006 04:25
03/02/2006 04:25
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394 Poland
Mariusz
My job on the forum
|
My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394
Poland
|
Quote:
never use silicone
Cadamuro gives in set for side skirts Henkel Silicon 5.
AutoDS Team Poland
Fiat Coupe Spoilers www.autods.net
10% Discount Coupon: fccuk
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41220
05/02/2006 04:24
05/02/2006 04:24
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Quote:
Cadamuro gives in set for side skirts Henkel Silicon 5.
Mariusz, what is the best glue to use for fitting the skirts? Is really a silicone as you wrote: "the one that you use for car windows" OK to use?
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41221
05/02/2006 06:22
05/02/2006 06:22
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394 Poland
Mariusz
My job on the forum
|
My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,394
Poland
|
AutoDS Team Poland
Fiat Coupe Spoilers www.autods.net
10% Discount Coupon: fccuk
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41222
05/02/2006 06:47
05/02/2006 06:47
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Thanks Mariusz!!! Will use one of those!
|
|
|
Re: LE Kit fitting problems - need some help chaps
#41223
05/02/2006 16:19
05/02/2006 16:19
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
@ Jap. Yup the skirts fit great and they look so on the car, very happy I got them too! Send me a pm if you have any questions but I had my paint shop do them so I don't know how much more help I can be! Fitting and painting was about £100.
|
|
|
|