How to install VZ Flutes, molded into standard gaurds...

[PUSHIN]

I don't know how to say this without sounding like a tool.. It has already been discussed, plus the discussion has also shifted to be more of "how to install flutes, without an outline." In Zeussy's first post, he fitted the flutes, and imo they would have looked brilliant had he just painted them without even trying to fill the gap (i don't like the line, but for a job done on a standard guard, he did BLOODY WELL!) but he then proceeded to fill the outline with filler which eventually cracked, that's what i'm trying to cover.. i'm trying to do it with fibreglass on the front rather then filler (As it's never worked for me) and hope the outline doesn't crack.

pretty much, even if people do buy the ss guards tehy'll still have the outline, which we're now trying to delete, without it later cracking. but as i stated, the ss guards were already mentioned, and are a good idea for anyone with a vy/vz, or anyone keen to do a vy/vz front end conversion. zeussy most likely could have fitted the flutes, with the outline, without anything cracking or ever falling out, i think he was just aiming to delete the line..

[edals]

My Bad Mate, Sorry Iv been living on 2 hours of sleep for the last few weeks, re-read it all and yes looks better with out the outline of them, i have never really noticed lol. Right 4.25am, time for work lol

[PUSHIN]

lol nah no worries mate, but yeah i dunno personal preference with out the outline blends it in, i dunno i think it looks nice for some reason lol. and i understand your lack of sleep mate been there maaany of times lol.

[stinx77]

With your car looking like it does at present, I'm surprised I haven't seen it around yet. I'll just keep looking - it won't be hard to spot. I'd really like to do the flute conversion to my car but I don't think the other half would understand why I was doing it. Besides, only one car in the family means it's needed every day.

i'm in th exact same boat with th family and 1 car scenario. but full credit to zeussy as i've been searchin long and hard to find out how to go about it. jus dont think th other half will understand at th mo if i pullout th grinder. lol. good luck

[stinx77]

jus wonderin wat your thoughts are on th driving and handling of th vy and th vx. i understand one's a wagon and all but would still appreciate your thoughts. cheers

[PUSHIN]

Really really sorry guys!! have been busy and i suppose lazy aswell but havent gotten around to my flutes in quite a while, i've made small amounts of progress and might have some good news (you's can judge for yourselves, given the circumstances) so i fibreglassed the flutes in a few months ago, but never got around to sanding them back, but over the last couple of days i've gone the hack at one hardcore, got about 1/4 glass sanded back flush with the flute and guard, and i cant find no cracks so far!! so far so good!!! in my opinion, 2 months with no cracking is doin' alright, however it was only recently sanded back and still has a fair bit of sanding left, you can judge for yourself if you think cracks may appear in time or not, i'm personally not sure, but will continue to update this with my progress!

[PUSHIN]

ehhh, sorry guys i kept saying i'd post pictures with progress, rarara, and it just didnt happen did it, well, today i was like OH SH*T!!! and decided i'd better do it!!

So before i go too far, it WASNT easy. i've spent atleast 15 hours on the passanger guard alone (not including the time spent to delete the aerial hole), by the time i finish, this will have been a 30-35 hour job, however i went the hack bloody hard, i wanted to see it perfect, and its near on there, maybe an hour of work and it'll be done (i've said that atleast 20 times, but this time i really mean it ) so anyway, i glassed the flutes in probably 2 or 3 months ago, and slowly sanded one of them back, two weeks ago i decided i wanted it done, so started going hard on it and got it to the following, as i said, i glassed them 3 months ago, and during sanding i couldn't see any cracks or anything, i havent found any still, honestly do NOT think the glass will crack, if the time its had hasnt done it, and the amounts of pressure i've put on that guard at times hasnt either, i dont know what will.

EDIT; you can see the drivers guard in the second picture (along with a heap of mess... ^.^) thats pretty much how they both started, i was fairly rough, and generous with the fibreglass, i knew it would make fo rmore work later but i wanted to be sure i'd put enough on, i've spent probably a half an hour to an hour on the drivers guard along half of the top, the bottom, and the right hand side of it, as you can see, un noticable. i would almost suggest people pay to have someone else do this, (depending on the price..) but either way, its going to be expensive, or time consuming.

[Aussiecv8]

Looks good bloke, well done. You must have a lot of patience.

When I do this kind of thing I use 2 part araldite epoxy glue. It will stick anything and cures hard enough to sand or shape. The trick is waiting until it's just about to go off and then apply it, otherwise it's to runny and will end up everywhere you don't want it to be.

You need to tape the back up as it will drip through. Add as much as you need to build it up. Once dry (few days for full strength) sand it back and use a bit of knifing putty to take the minor air holes, etc out. Sand it back, prime and you're away. Been using this method for a few years and never yet had anything crack or come unstuck. But be careful cause once its stuck it there for life. (You might want to practice applying and shaping the glue before leaping in as it takes a while to get the hang of it).