Panel gaps after fitting new wings etc

[MikeParker]

Hi All,

I'm interested in the sort of panel gaps that are to be expected after fitting new front wings and the panel forward of the bonnet. I have had those changed but seem to have ended up with bigger gaps than I had originally. Is this to be expected because of poor panel pressings etc? I believe there are ways of reducing gaps with filler, but this seems like a bit a bodge. Can't think of any other way or may be just live with it?

If anyone has their bonnet to wing gaps or door to wing gaps that would be interesting.

Thanks
Mike

[Wheelz]

I am just doing panel gaps on my Sunbeam. My main aim is to even them out rather than close them up too much. I am using a combination of techniques, but so far so good.

[trunt]

Its not unusual to have different panel gaps, you are talking mm here but if its a big gap filler is not the way to go.
The usual technique is to add some weld onto the edges of the panel or the door sometimes using small strips or welding wire. I have done this, its a labor of love!

You can look at pictures of others but in the end its your own tolerance that determines what's good! My Stags gaps are not perfect but good enough that I didn't want to mess with them. My door is something around 3 mm** front and back maybe a bit more one area, top front of the door. If the rear of the door is tighter you could move it forward a bit and at least the gaps will be even ..looks better.

**edited.. feeler gauge error!

Terry

[jbuckl]

I had to add a welded strip to the door to correct the gaps.
If I did it again I’d add material to both ends of the door though. The window frame hardly has any front to back adjustment.

[len]

unfortunately to achieve good panel gaps , some work is almost always needed. I have leaded edges with great success ,files back quite easily

[MikeParker]

Its not unusual to have different panel gaps, you are talking mm here but if its a big gap filler is not the way to go.
The usual technique is to add some weld onto the edges of the panel or the door sometimes using small strips or welding wire. I have done this, its a labor of love!

You can look at pictures of others but in the end its your own tolerance that determines what's good! My Stags gaps are not perfect but good enough that I didn't want to mess with them. My door is something around 2.25-2.75mm front and back maybe 3mm max in one area, top front of the door. If the rear of the door is tighter you could move it forward a bit and at least the gaps will be even ..looks better.

Terry

Thanks Terry. That was just what I was after. 3mm sounds really impressive. I have gaps way bigger than that. I am not with the car at the moment, but from memory about 8mm at the front of the bonnet and similar where the front of the door curves up to the window frame. I think that may be the door hung a bit too low. I am not with the car at moment, but will take some measurements and photos at the weekend.

[trunt]

Thanks Terry. That was just what I was after. 3mm sounds really impressive. I have gaps way bigger than that. I am not with the car at the moment, but from memory about 8mm at the front of the bonnet and similar where the front of the door curves up to the window frame. I think that may be the door hung a bit too low. I am not with the car at moment, but will take some measurements and photos at the weekend.

Check my edit.. its around 3mm and yes same area is a bit wider but doesn't approach what you are saying. Leading seems far better to me than filler! but even then if you want 5mm then weld is probably the only solution. unless Len says otherwise.. I have leaded but not for gaps..

[len]

so long as leading is done properly, cant see a problem with a reasonable amount. i have experimented and it wont come off even with a good effort with a hammer !

[mole42]

unfortunately to achieve good panel gaps , some work is almost always needed. I have leaded edges with great success ,files back quite easily

That's the traditional method, the chap that taught car panelwork to me could wipe a 1/8" (3mm for younger viewers) lead fillet down a door edge in a trice. I could never do it that well or that quickly, but lead would still be my filler of choice for the task.

[MikeParker]

I am just doing panel gaps on my Sunbeam. My main aim is to even them out rather than close them up too much. I am using a combination of techniques, but so far so good.

Chris, what sort of gaps do you think you will end up with? I am sure mine would look better with a bit of adjustment, but that will only average out the gaps. They will still end up over 5mm. I would really like to know how they came out of the factory. Has anyone measured the gaps on an un molested car?.

[len]

to be fair , i think if you work to a 5mm even gap before paint , by the time bath edges are painted , i think that would be pretty good

[new to this]

I am just doing panel gaps on my Sunbeam. My main aim is to even them out rather than close them up too much. I am using a combination of techniques, but so far so good.

some of the welding and panel gaps on the Sunbeam tigers was really bad, theres one in the work shop at the moment

[new to this]

Ive seen some cars that have had front wings fitted and the wing sits higher than the bonnet in some places

[mole42]

Ive seen some cars that have had front wings fitted and the wing sits higher than the bonnet in some places

Mine is like that - the front wings were original BL products but on the left side the wing sits a bit higher than the bonnet in the middle of the aperture. It's always bugged me, ever since I bought the car but I've never done anything about it.....

[Phil S]

Panel gaps need to be sorted as the Panels are fitted, it a real juggling act. To sort big gaps once everything has been welded in place can be an almost impossible task as stretching panels if far harder the bending flanges to close the gap before welding., or even shrinking a front panel to close the gaps each side of the bonnet.
unfortunately we cant take replacement parts as being the correct shape and size. Good luck