Fibreglass Doors...would you fit them?

  • Yes

    Votes: 2 16.7%

  • No

    Votes: 6 50.0%

  • Maybe?

    Votes: 4 33.3%
  • Total voters
    12
T

TheCornishman

Active Member
I am sure this Q? Has come up before but times move on

After a quick Google search it seems that there are very few reviews on this topic. Can I ask if anyone has 1st hand experience with fibreglass defender doors?....

I came across Acorn fibreglass who make doors and have messaged them. I am awaiting a response.

Are there any other alternatives out there?

The idea of rot proof lightweight doors appeals to me but suspect there may be some drawbacks?...I would expect to have to get the dynomat out too soundproof them.
 
I have used wings panels (front & rear) & bonnet on a range classic but not the doors.
It was a road legal racer & wanted some protection incase of impact. But the size of a classic door is massive compared to a fender.
These do sound good though.
Any linky?
 
Bonnet non structural, the door along with its anti burst latch adds some strength and resistance to intrusion from the side. A fiberglass door with a steel frame would probably be as good.
 
I would hazard a guess and say ignoring the frame itself that the fibreglass skin would be heavier than the oe alloy skin?
If the fibreglass door is lighter, then they have saved weight somewhere, maybe in the door frame itself?
 
I would be worried that FG door skins would be prone to damage when laning/playing in the local forests. At least the originals can mostly be hammered back somewhere near their original shape.
 
frog hopper said:
I would be worried that FG door skins would be prone to damage when laning/playing in the local forests. At least the originals can mostly be hammered back somewhere near their original shape.
Click to expand...

Is repairing Gel coat any harder than pulling a dent, filling and painting?...appreciate for those that view dents as character or officers stripes would never consider anything along these lines...

The idea seems to keep coming around when you look at the thread history on the net...surely someone has 1st hand experience?
 
TheCornishman said:
Is repairing Gel coat any harder than pulling a dent, filling and painting?...appreciate for those that view dents as character or officers stripes would never consider anything along these lines...

The idea seems to keep coming around when you look at the thread history on the net...surely someone has 1st hand experience?
Click to expand...
Although I have no experience my understanding was that the problem is it cracks rather than deforms? A dent can be hammered flat or left as is and the paint touched up, the gel coat will crack rather than dent which will require a more extensive repair and cannot just be left, before touching up paint.
 
My Lotus Elise was made largely from a type of fibreglass (doors, main bodywork, engine cover, sills) and there were no issues with safety in that, it passed all the crash tests with flying colours.
 
lightning said:
My Lotus Elise was made largely from a type of fibreglass (doors, main bodywork, engine cover, sills) and there were no issues with safety in that, it passed all the crash tests with flying colours.
Click to expand...
Reliant Scimitars are mostly fibreglass too, and they are well thought of.
 
TheCornishman said:
Is repairing Gel coat any harder than pulling a dent, filling and painting?...appreciate for those that view dents as character or officers stripes would never consider anything along these lines...

The idea seems to keep coming around when you look at the thread history on the net...surely someone has 1st hand experience?
Click to expand...
Worked on a few fibreglass boats. Small repairs are pretty easy. Main problem is that the stuff is quite unpleasant to work with, so do it outside, and wear a good boiler suit, gloves, and a mask.
Unless you are a pretty careless driver, I doubt you will damage fibreglass anyway.
 
I wasn't commenting on the safety aspect of fiberglass doors/panels, rather on the arse of repairs, if you need to do so.
I regularly use my 90 for play and also working in the forests around me, I must admit I tend to regard the 90 as a tool, as long as it works I don't care what it looks like.
I'm afraid there have been many times where I have squeezed past a tree and not quite managed without contact. And there are times when I've just got it wrong and there has been a fair bit of contact, "Oh well, the door handle and mirror are still in one piece so thats OK."
 
Well in that case a pair of Britpart steel/alloy doors are what you need.
l fitted a Britpart rear door to my 90 and it seemed fine.
 
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