Body Trimming

[Predator77]

I have a question about cutting the wheel wells on a body. I would like to know what is the best way to get that perfect rounded cut in the wheel wells? Do you use some type of template to do it? I have a Parma 2002 Dodge Ram body and this is the cut I am trying to do..how would you go about doing this? Thanks :tmb

 

[ZRP_Racing]

CD works pretty good as a template.

 

[Ball Racing]

Do you have access to a stationary belt sander,?
they work wonders on wheel well openings.:wnk

 

[Predator77]

Do you have access to a stationary belt sander,?
they work wonders on wheel well openings.:wnk

Unfortunately I don't :-( My fear is that this is the only 2002 Dodge body I have as it has been discontinued by Parma and I can't get another one..so I am afraid I might mess it up :bang

 

[Ball Racing]

Has it been painted yet?
Trimmed at all?

if not you can support it well, and fill it with plaster of paris, let it set for a week,
pop it out, and then you have a plug, that most anyone can vacuum form for you as many as you need from it...

 

[Ball Racing]

Also if you really like those cut-outs,
do you have a program on your computer where you can enlarge that photo to match the size of the lexan body?
You could print the picture, cut out the wheel wells, then trace them onto your lexan body.
The size would make it so you had to print the front half, then the rear.

 

[Predator77]

Has it been painted yet?
Trimmed at all?

if not you can support it well, and fill it with plaster of paris, let it set for a week,
pop it out, and then you have a plug, that most anyone can vacuum form for you as many as you need from it...

I actually have it still sealed in the bag..never opened it yet :willy

 

[william g]

I like to use a CD-DVD as mentioned above. Some body sides that are not smooth I trace the CD to construction paper, then I can flex it to the body.

 

[drjoliver]

I do a rough cut with scissors then a dremel with sanding drum to form it to the shape I want.

 

[Predator77]

Thanks for all the tips and ideas guys :tmb..I will probably go with CD trick seeing how I don't have a dremel tool right now..but soon :willy

 

[Predator77]

Also if you really like those cut-outs,
do you have a program on your computer where you can enlarge that photo to match the size of the lexan body?
You could print the picture, cut out the wheel wells, then trace them onto your lexan body.
The size would make it so you had to print the front half, then the rear.

I have Paint Shop Pro 8...Might be able to do something with that

 

[JKRacing37]

I do a rough cut with scissors then a dremel with sanding drum to form it to the shape I want.

X2...use curved lexan scissors and a sanding drum and it will produce an great finish.