Basically, I want to retain good looks and get good cooling at the same time. See photos. I want to know if I cut on the marked lines, is there a way to "soften up" the fiberglass enough on the fourth imaginary line to get it to bend out and form cooling slats? Is this even possible??? Thanks in advance.[sm=confused.gif]

I wouldn't try and "soften it" or "bend it", but if the cowling is made of multiple layers of fiberglass, you may be able to score it, without cutting all the way through, creating kind of a hinge effect. Then, move the slats to the position you want, and secure them in place with some thin CA. The thin CA is best applied from the inside of the cowl, (for neatness) if you can reach it.

If it's not made of normal layers, (like if it's plastic) then you could still score the slots, and even remove them completely, before gluing them back on with CA. If you get any CA on the exterior of the cowling, just sand it off.

OK, I think I'll try that. Thanks![8D]

After re-reading my post, I realized that one area might be a little vague...

If you consider that your vents are rectangular, what I meant was that you would score one edge, (the "hinge" edge) but obviously, you would cut all the way through the cowling on the other 3 sides of your rectangle. I think you got it anyway, but... just in case.

Mike your starting to sound like a high priced California lawyer. You really sanding, or studying law.

Sorry had to do that.

Forgive.

Steve

Sustained.

Objection, your honour.
A friend of mine did something similar to an electric glider fuselage. He heated up the fibreglass with a soldering iron, and was able to bend the fibreglass into shape. I have no idea what kind of plastic it was, (i.e. epoxy, polyester etc.) so I do not know if it would be possible in this case. Maybe it is.
Magne