Exclusive Opel Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Just lumping two questions together. Regarding the VIN plate, does this have to be riveted on or can it be bolted on? After the front wings have been fitted, what's the best stuff to use to fill the small gap left between the front edge and front panel and the one up by the windscreen? Hopefully update my project thread as well soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemanta Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 vin plate can be bolted if you want and regarding the wings they are not sealed from new but if you want to seal them then use a pu type sealer then it can be painted over if you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Vin plates can be attached however and wherever you want under the bonnet. Mine are on the inner wings by the turrets as i have bonnet pins mounted at the front end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Trouble is if you use a sealer, like Sicaflex for example, I bet you the paint on top splits. They had a piece of foam originally, my tip, don't bother with anything and let the water flow in and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 as stated above. originally no sealer was used by manufacturers.it tends to look a bit bodgy if you seal them & then put paint on top. personally (my own opinion!) is to use black silicone AFTER all painting is done & wipe out along the gap to leave a deep curved strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Don't seal the scuttle gaps, back when Mantas were still being made me and mates avoided ones with sealed scuttle as a dead giveaway that they had been accident repaired by someone that didn't know what they were supposed to look like. They were sealed to front valance though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted August 18, 2013 Author Share Posted August 18, 2013 Think I'll bolt the VIN plate on then. I'll seal the front one's after painting and see how the back one's look. Sort of got used to seeing them sealed in! As the car is white, I'll use white PU. Think black will stick out like a dogs dick on a white car! Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 I rivet the VIN plates. always nice to see one permanently attached if buying a car, old rivets give greater confidence it is on the right car, but they do move with front panels if people are lazy. In reality the VIN plate means not a thing, it's there for convenience, no one should be using it for reference, everyone should be lifting the flap by the drivers seat (if enough floor left) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupeking Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 After some advice from a person with a lot more knowledge of Manta's than me (you know who you are Dave), I sealed the wings etc. with external white PU sealer just after my Manta had been resprayed. Andy, my mate the paint sprayer, didn't think much of it but I convinced him to paint over it just to get he exact white. I think it looks a 100% better than it did without the seal. It's a smart finish, it's not a cover up and in my opinion looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutts Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 did all mine also. looks smoother in your and my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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