Reshaping composite bootlid
Turbo Mini Forums

I have a carbon gel coated bootlid, mk1 style, brand new, bought off somebody else. When I offered it up the the car it looks like it would be a nice fit, except for it looks like it's come out of the mould too early, or not enough hardner used in the resin as it's gone a bit flat. If i bolt it up the hinges, it closes up nice up to about halfway and there's about a 2-3" gap at the top, I can close it by putting a fair bit of pressure on, but is there anything I can do to get it to sit a bit better?

Are you sure its not your hinges? Try loosen them at the car a little then try closing it and try tighten until it gets a better fit.. its kind of like trying to mount the bonnet of a mini..

No mate, its frigging miles out lol! I left it all loose for some jiggling but not of much help, ill see if i get chance to grab a photo tomorrow

Its just ot sounded like same problem i had when trying to fit my fg boot... off came metal.. on went fg.. and i couldnt get it no where close to shutting.. took alot of off n on and adjusting to get anywhere near right..

Got the correct rubber seal on it?
My carbon skin is pinned in both top corners because it bends out of shape with only the centre held

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

I was trying it with no seal on I think, I've got some lockable pins for the corners for it

If this is just an outer skin, then make a jig to pull it straigh, then heat all over with a heat gun for an hour.

You may have luck leaving it in the house for a month or two next to a radiator. Even though they're not thermoplastics, time and or heat will see them change shape.

If its a two part boot with skin and bracing, then there's probably not much you can do without first cutting the two halves apart.

I've read that some parts can leave the factory half cured so can be heated for a while to re-set them. Just in case that's true with you boot lid, don't apply any heat until you 100% happy with you jig.

Edited by PhilR on 10th Jan, 2016.

Scrap it, keep the metal one

I seriously doubt it!

I'm with Paul. It's cheap crap, bin it

This is FORD country, on a quiet day you can hear Vauxhalls rusting.

But genuine carbon fibre yo..

They don't die, they just get faster!

Carl, how much does it weigh?

I seriously doubt it!

Haha me too! Carl already knows my feelings of fibreglass panels and that is don't have any!

On 10th Jan, 2016 D4VE said:

On 10th Jan, 2016 paul wiginton said:

On 10th Jan, 2016 Shauna said:
But genuine carbon fibre yo..

could be made of gold but if it dont fit its worthless

I'll gladly take a worthless boot made of gold off anyones hands

They don't die, they just get faster!

They are alright for certain cars, plus some fg stuff can be really good

If aluminium panels were readily available Id happily bin the composite in favour!