Hi,

i am in the process of covering my boot lid - (was vinyl on metal) with plastic effect carbon sheet. I am going to glue the sheet on then use the metal base as a template and cut round and then wet/dry etc to get the required finish. What would be the best way to cut the plastic sheet? would a jigsaw be fine if i was careful? or is there anything else out there ?

[Edited on 13/6/09 by joemotion]

you could try scoring with a straight edge and a sharp stanley knife. Don't try and cut straight through it or apply too much pressure, instead lots of gentle cuts then either bend the plastic to snap it along the score line, or proceed to cut all the way through.
I think this will be better than a jigsaw. But be very careful it's easy to slip when cutting plastic.

Steve.

Jigsaw will be fine , use a fine blade & ensure that the plastic sheet is supported at the edge you are cutting. Don't cut too fast otherwise slight melting may occur. Worth covering the finished side to protect from scratching whilst cutting.

cheers D

The best way, by far, to cut the plastic carbon effect sheet is Gilbow or aviation cutters (tin snips).

Perfect cut, perfect egde.

right sorted it - dead easy with stanley knife and nice smooth cut - will have a little play with some wet n dry though later

the only issue is now what to do with the metal sheet underneath - the base which i stuck the carbon sheet to is metal with a plastic inside - and so looks out of place under the carbon - would i be best to clean this up and paint black or has anybody else had this problem?

the tigers lid sits ontop of boot and not inside slightly like a MK does