body panels

[moggiethouable]

Having touched up a rear wing now on an annual basis and watching the rot spread slowly but surely, I wondered about opinions on the quality and benefits of the more expensive panels.
It seems for a rear wing I can spend under £90.00 for a pattern item or nearly £200.00 for something better?
Or there is fibre glass.
Can I have your opinions please?
Thanks as always, Dick.

[kevin s]

The pattern ones are a bit thin but given plenty of protection from corrosion they do the job, the more expensive ones are closer to the original gauge and great if you cna afford / justify them. The other option is fiberglass, the good quality mouldings hold their shape well and will never rot, if I have to replace any of mine I will be going for these, it all depends on whaeather your priority is originality or a good useable every day car.

kev

[ASL642]

The only trouble with fibreglass panels is that they do flex and the paint can craze even with a professional paint finish.

[jagnut66]

Hi,
I swear by the fibreglass bumper valances, once painted and fitted you cant tell the difference unless you're looking.
However, whilst the fibreglass wings look the part and as you say, won't rot, they will disintegrate in an impact situation and, obviously, therefore can't be beaten back into shape, filled and repainted.
So, not wishing to pay trade prices for replacements, which can be of dubious fit and quality, I have always sought out cheaper secondhand originals in better condition than my own, to, if necessary, repair, repaint and then fit.
The only problem I foresee with this is that they will inevitably get thinner on the ground, as time goes by.
Best wishes,
Mike.