Replacement Panels - Wings /Doors/Bonnets etc

[dTEA]

Right guys, my house is nearly finished and the funds are gonna start moving towards the bits for my mk2...i want rid of the civic i'm driving by the end of the year.

I need some good quality replacement panels and heard different things about diff companys...anyone got any experience...

The mk2 will be treated to nowt but the best!  I need the following but not necessarily in this order:
driver's wing
bonnet
and front and rear bumpers (big)

Also the plastic bits may be replaced as well, but i don't trust the new sh!te that fades to grey!!  Mine aint that bad at all and i reckon the blackening trick with the hair dryer may be worth a shot seeing as its all coming back off while it goes in for a full on respray.

Give me some ideas of prices as well if possible

[edd16v]

Hi,

Sorry I don't have any experience with panels but am interested to know what is the blackening trick with a hairdryer??

[Thom89]

Replace your body panels with genuine items, well worth it in the long run, and not really that expensive,
Non O/E are poor quality steel, poor fit, and will definatly not stand the test of time, as regards corrosion.
I consider pattern panels as a last resort, to keep an older car, that has been accident damaged, "on the road"
If, however,  your shell needs new rear wheelarches, pattern panels will only be as good as the person that fits them
O/E wings are £80ish  good rust free 2nd hand panels, can be picked up for around £30-50 each, or look out in the parts section of this forum for great deals
Tom

[dTEA]

basically you take all the plastic bits off, get yer hair dryer, not to hot a setting and gently move along the trim...its supposed to be pretty delicate work and easy to fook up yer paint on the bumpers, and its tricky to get even coverage but the heat takes the plastic back to the nearer original black...dunno why

Club Gti forum talked about it...but like i say, haven't had chance to try it myself as yet...

use at your own risk ...worth checking their post on the subject tho...use the search button...

[dTEA]

O/E wings are £80ish 

didn't think the stealerships were that cheap might have to consider that then get her gleaming and back on t'road

[Thom89]

Yeah, its definatly the way to go, why repair rust, when you can change for good 2nd hand, or replace with brand new O/E...
Ive done the heat on plastic thing many times, and has been mostly succesful, I use a hot air gun, fitted with a diffuser.. hairdryer does'nt seem to have enough balls, basically your taking the plastic up to the temp that it was origionaly molded at, you are infact, turning old plastic into new plastic, carefull with the heat though! you may end up with a hole in your bumper!!
Tom

[dTEA]

nice one for the info will be getting on with ths once i've done insurance and tax so shes moving again