One of the items on my SVA fail sheet was a radius fail with my MK GRP Bodywork.

The inspector found the outside edge between the scuttle and the roll bar to be a sharp edge. He suggested some wet 1600 grade paper would round off the edge. I ahve ali trim to the cockpit side, it is the external edge he wants sorting.

I haven't tried yet, but don't want to sand through the gel coat. Anyone know roughly how much I can take off that edge without wrecking the finish.

Cheers Mike

could you get away with glueing on a rubber trim?

there is no way to know for sure until you go right through the gelcoat and into the fibre. What is the current radius? 2.5mm is a fairlt sharp turn for GRP.

You could make a gauge by drilling an accurate 5mm hole (my drills marked 5mm are actually 4.8 on a micrometer). using a hacksaw and a file, cut into the hole leaving an L shaped piece with 2.5mm radus. Tedious I know.

If I were a long way out I'd sand half of the error away with 600 - 1000 grit paper, remeasure and do almost all of the rest with 1200- 2000 grit. If I were more cautious I'd do it all with 2000 grit. propably best to try a small piece this way, looking reguarly to see if you are running out of gelcoat. Polish it in with cutting paste and see if you are close.

Do it a bit at a time remember you can take more off but can't put it back again. I think I'd talk to the manufacturer first.

I had to do this at Newcastle for my SVA. I did it while I was there!

Just used a flat file to make the radius and got covered in blue dust... but I got enough off to pass and didn't go through the Gel coat. I suppose I could have a go at polishing it one day but it really isn't very noticeable

Cheers

Mark

we used alloy from a horse box manufacturer to blend the curves in

see

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=P6200009.JPG

will post the name when i find it

found the thread

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=6862