Rebody 507 Tribute Build thread

[Dxbolton]

The flat spot on the driver's side wing. Did that go well?

If you've seen my build thread you'll know that I'm not afraid of choppin, fixin and fettling but I do worry about if I can do a good job of that flat spot. It's pretty big and getting the shape right will be difficult I think.

Looking forward to seeing your car painted. Mine's nowhere near ready.

It wasn’t too bad but just needed a few areas to have extra filler added to after initial filling.
my long sanding boards are about 16” long, both flexi and rigid. that helped to remove undulations along the length.
I’m now working on door gaps and relocated the passenger door handle as it sloped slightly downhill. No one else noticed, but it bothered my ocd!

 

[ruan]

Is worth making a template from the other side?

 

[Dxbolton]

Is worth making a template from the other side?

No, you should be able to feel the curves by hand. Templates won’t work as the wings are tapered

 

[Duncodin]

That's what I need. Long sanding boards.

 

[Pond]

So am I reading this right? Is there a flat spot on all Tribute's driver's side wings on the 507 kit?
If so, has no-one had a word with Tribute, as their moulds are obviously faulty.

Or am I missing something?

 

[ruan]

I have raised this with Chris and asked him to resolve it when he makes my kit, still waiting for confirmation of my production date.

 

[Dxbolton]

I have raised this with Chris and asked him to resolve it when he makes my kit, still waiting for confirmation of my production date.

I’m

So am I reading this right? Is there a flat spot on all Tribute's driver's side wings on the 507 kit?
If so, has no-one had a word with Tribute, as their moulds are obviously faulty.

Or am I missing something?

i don’t think it’s an issue at the price point of this kit.
DNA kits were 3x the cost and hence these little things didn’t crop up.
it’s an easy fix and the kit is good value for money.
I would also say no one knew of the issue until it was pointed out or they ran their hand over the ring in a certain direction.
Ruan, would you have noticed the issue when you viewed my car?

 

[ruan]

Dan, I agree with you on both the price and how obvious this issue is (or isn't in this case). We buy these kits for the challenge and when we see a problem we look for ways to fix them.

 

[Jezza]

If it's an easy fix then why shouldn't the manufacturer fix it? It should not be up to customers to resolve obvious defects in design. Regardless of the cost of the kit you are paying good money and should expect a product that works as intended.

 

[Pond]

i don’t think it’s an issue at the price point of this kit.

I really don't understand that train of thought.
A car with major faults in the bodywork is not fit for purpose.
It would have been as easy to make the moulds correct as incorrect, so price is immaterial.

I know a GRP moulded body isn't going to be micron perfect in every respect (believe me I know, mine is terrible), but it should at least be the correct shape uniformly.

I keep hearing people making excuses for Tribute Automotive; such as "they are cheap" and "they are made in a shed not a multi-million pound factory". If all of their kits have the same issue, then it is a 'manufacturing fault' which should be addressed by the manufacturer.

 

[Duncodin]

I really don't understand that train of thought.
A car with major faults in the bodywork is not fit for purpose.
It would have been as easy to make the moulds correct as incorrect, so price is immaterial.

I know a GRP moulded body isn't going to be micron perfect in every respect (believe me I know, mine is terrible), but it should at least be the correct shape uniformly.

I keep hearing people making excuses for Tribute Automotive; such as "they are cheap" and "they are made in a shed not a multi-million pound factory". If all of their kits have the same issue, then it is a 'manufacturing fault' which should be addressed by the manufacturer.

I guess we're happy to be sold a rough body shell that we can play with as much or as little as we want. I've played with and chopped mine about more than most and have enjoyed every minute if it and long may it continue.

You, on the other hand, want to a buy a kit that simply clips on perfectly ready for paint. Where's the fun in that.

But you have complained a lot about your own kit. Sounds like your kit is no better than ours. Sounds like you didn't have any fun.

 

[Pond]

But you have complained a lot about your own kit. Sounds like your kit is no better than ours. Sounds like you didn't have any fun.

As said above, my kit is terrible. But I didn't buy mine from a business who makes them for a living. I bought mine (and overpaid hugely for it) from a dodgy bloke who had it sat in his back garden. I have little to no recourse. You lot do.

And no, I don't find it fun grinding, sanding, filling (and repeat) horrible GRP just to get the thing to sort of fit; before all the other million jobs that need doing.

 

[DaveP]

Keep it nice chaps

 

[Dxbolton]

And no, I don't find it fun grinding, sanding, filling (and repeat) horrible GRP just to get the thing to sort of fit; before all the other million jobs that need doing.

It does fit rather well in my case, I just want to perfect it. No one who has seen the car has noticed anything, it’s the usual case of a car guy knowing the imperfections in his own car that no one else would ever see.
There are also a couple of interior issues I will sort out to my taste, rather than as bmw produced. Again for my own enjoyment of the completed car

 

[Dxbolton]

Door gaps are fun
Think I’ve just about got them all even to about 4mm all round.

 

[Duncodin]

Door gaps are fun
Think I’ve just about got them all even to about 4mm all round.

Would be great if you showed how you did it.

Mine are miles out. Still wondering if I should trim some metal off the back edge of the door as well as off the grp. The old Metal outer skin is crimped/folded on the inner so would need to weld it up before grinding off a couple of mm. Or should I just sand off a bit of the front corner edge of rear wing.

So I'm wondering what you did to give me ideas.

Looking forward to seeing your car in paint

 

[DaveP]

Just my opinion but I would make changes in the grp not door skin. Unless there is some reason you Have to touch the metal work I'd avoid it.

I am a combo of lazy, unskilled, risk averse, cheapskate.

 

[Dxbolton]

No changes to the door skin, just the grp. I’ll try and get photos on Sunday when I’m back in the garage

 

[Duncodin]

Just my opinion but I would make changes in the grp not door skin. Unless there is some reason you Have to touch the metal work I'd avoid it.

I am a combo of lazy, unskilled, risk averse, cheapskate.

My metal door skin does rub ever so slightly on the front edge of the rear tub where it's screwed to the B pillar. Don't notice or feel it when opening or closing the door but there's a tiny greenness where paint has rubbed so it's pretty close. The grp there is already quite thin so don't really want to sand any more off. Don't want to clogg dan's build thread with my problems so I'll post pics and eventual solution to my own biild thread.

 

[Dxbolton]

My metal door skin does rub ever so slightly on the front edge of the rear tub where it's screwed to the B pillar. Don't notice or feel it when opening or closing the door but there's a tiny greenness where paint has rubbed so it's pretty close. The grp there is already quite thin so don't really want to sand any more off. Don't want to clogg dan's build thread with my problems so I'll post pics and eventual solution to my own biild thread.

That’s where mine was touching, the grp is thick on the rear tub and I’ve sanded back about 2mm to give clearance as the door was sticking on first fit up.
I’ve made gap bigger to allow for the paint thickness that will be applied.
I’ll take photos on Sunday