Ed Sowell writes:
That’s interesting because I just made a replacement hood
blanket out of foam for my XJ-S and used 3M Super Trim
Adhesive #08090. I needed two cans to make the liner and
install it.
So, Ron, gonna tell how you made the liner?
Ed,
I kinda expected you to ask:-))
I was fortunate that my existing hood blanket was in place although
certainly showing it’s age (1980). I can’t say how other model years were
constructed but mine was made from 1/2’’ thick foam, grey in color. There
are areas where 2, 3 and even 4 pieces of foam were glued together to add
thickness where Jaguar wanted. I’d guess that 75% of the liner was made of
at least two pieces of foam glued together to make it one inch thick.
I removed the liner, being careful to keep it in one piece. Actually, it
came out in two pieces because it tore where the steel bracing is riveted
across the bonnet to support the liner from sagging. It was relatively easy
to separate all the glued pieces of foam from each other and make templates
of each piece out of stiff cardboard.
I used the templates to cut pieces from the foam that I purchased from
McMaster-Carr. Then it was like putting a puzzle together and gluing them
into one piece. I found that it was much easier to remove the bonnet and
install the liner while the bonnet was laying on it’s top (protected of
course). There were several brackets and plates pop-riveted to the bonnet
which hold the liner in place. Those are the plates that have the vacuum
routing decals and timing adjustment procedures on them. I removed them all-
just drilled out the aluminum rivets, cleaned up the decals and scanned them
for Sean Straw.
I used 2 cans of 3M Super Trim Adhesive #08090, purchased at NAPA for $14.99
each. It’s important to note that I used the SUPER trim adhesive, not the
standard trim adhesive. There’s a huge difference in holding ability. The
spray pattern was not adjustable although there was a marking on the can
that the nozzle is to be aligned with. I did notice while shopping that a
can of the NON-Super version had a nozzle that had three distinct spray
patterns depending on where the nozzle was pointed.
Back to the liner. I’m very pleased with how it turned out. Most casual
observers would think it’s original and new. That said, as all first-time
projects, I went through a learning curve and would change some of the ways
I did it but really only in the minor details.
One more thing about the foam. Through McMaster-Carr, foam was only
available in 36’ x 36’’ sheets and 24’’ x 72’’ sheets. Ideally, larger
sheets would have worked better as I had to make some of the one-piece
templates out of two pieces of foam. That turned out ok because they were
used in parts of the liner that were two pieces thick. The seams are
virtually invisible. Maybe larger sheets are available somewhere???
Ron Kelnhofer
'80 XJ-S pre-HE w/Digital “P”
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