[27TRoadster]

Has anyone cut a door in there T body? I have a fiberglass body and will be cutiing both the doors out soon. I was wondering if anyone has pics or some knowlage on the subject.

Id really appreciate the help, thanks!

[malc]

I think it was in Hot Rod many years ago they showed how to do it.
They bonded a wooden frame into the body and around the to be door opening, then they cut the door out.
Maybe if you try to cut with the body not reinforced it may split.
More than that my memory fails me.

[OneMoreTime]

PM Powerrodsmike as he has done a lot ofthat sort of thing..Me I would go with the wood deal like Malc described..Cut your wood pieces to fit the curve of the body and laminate thoes in before you cut the doors out to maintain the shape of the body..Believe me they get real floopy if you don't..

Sam

[27TRoadster]

Im putting in steel reinforcements thoughout the body and floor. I havent done fiberglass yet and am wondering this, I have a large roll of fiberglass cloth.


What should I do: Use wood and bond both of them to the inside of the door (over the sides to get a good edge). Or do I use just the cloth.

Also what is a good epoxy for this type of fiberglass, Id think it would have to be thin to get into it...?

[OneMoreTime]

The Idea of using the wood is that when you laminate it in it covers the area where you are going to cut the door..then when you cut the door one side stays in the car and the other side stays in the door..this holds the shape..What you have is called mat..cloth has a weave to it..System 2000 is a good epoxy resin to use (do a google for that) or West System epoxy is good as well and both are avialable from marine suppliers..

Try fiberglast developments for books and materials..

Good luck

Sam

[27TRoadster]

Thank you, should I use the mat or just go with wood or both?

[scrimshaw]

Originally Posted by 27TRoadster

Thank you, should I use the mat or just go with wood or both?

I agree with the previous posts, it is vital you do all your reinforcing BEFORE you do any cutting, on both the door and the opening. A good way of making the wooden reinforcement or ribs is to use doorskin or Luan. Rip the Luan down into 2 inch wide lengths cover them with epoxy and then bolt or screw them down one on top of the other where you want the reinforcement, the flexible strips will follow the curve of the body and make one solid, very stiff rib that has the exact curve of the body built into it. Dry fit first of course. Use about 5 or 6 or whatever depth you need and epoxy them in place. When screwing or clamping them down start in the middle and work out. I would cover the ribs with mat or cloth. If your door is curved out with the body and you want to have a curve in the shape of your door you will have to rip wider strips and cut them using a jig saw.

I find Fiberglast to be very expensive and have used US composites for the last 5 years and been very happy with them. The shipping takes about a day or two longer but the savings are well worth it. West System epoxy is the best but expensive I save it for structural (like strips of Luan), I have used the laminating epoxy (thin epoxy) from US composites, it is OK for laminating cloth, you should use polyester with your mat unless it is the special stitched mat that is made for epoxy.

[scrimshaw]

Originally Posted by 27TRoadster

Im putting in steel reinforcements thoughout the body and floor. I havent done fiberglass yet and am wondering this, I have a large roll of fiberglass cloth.


What should I do: Use wood and bond both of them to the inside of the door (over the sides to get a good edge). Or do I use just the cloth.

Also what is a good epoxy for this type of fiberglass, Id think it would have to be thin to get into it...?

That roll looks like regular mat so you will have to use polyester (or vinylester) resin with it.

http://www.uscomposites.com/polyesters.html

[27TRoadster]

Thanks for the info!! I think I have a plan now.