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Post by Neil on Dec 11, 2012 21:59:15 GMT 2
I want to expand Driftoy product range a bit more for 2014 and concentrate a bit more on Replacement panels, seeing as the majority of the time rusty bodies are the main reason a car gets scrapped. So, i've been looking into Making some replacement panels using A mixture of Carbon Kevlar and Biaxial glass cloth impregnated with 2 part epoxy resin and vacuum formed into Very light and strong panels that will not only take all the abuse drifting can throw at them, but never ever rust! Unlike pure carbon fiber. Fiber glass body panels, Carbon kevlar weave can take a lot more impact force, and will not just shatter like pure carbon fiber or fiber glass on their own. (A lot of wrc Rally car body work is Carbon kevlar) This is the Top Layer weave i will use. Same as on a Ferrari F40  Manufacturers links- www.easycomposites.co.uk/products/carbon-fibre-cloth-fabric/carbon-kevlar-22-Twill-1-2m.aspxwww.easycomposites.co.uk/products/woven-glass-fabric/440g-biaxial-glass-cloth-1-27m.aspxTo make my kits more affordable, the Panels will have sandwich layers of Biaxial Glass cloth. A perfect material for Highly stressed applications due to it's higher tensile strength compared to standard woven and chopped Glass mat. Video here from the Manufacturer to show whats involved. parts 2 &3 are also included. At the moment i have collected MA61 CELICA SUPRA Front Wings (With new P type Arch option)  Rear Boot lids. I can make my TRD style Wing a intergral part of the bootlid if required, and will have an inner and outer skin for original fitment quality, as well as new Lexan glass for extra weight loss. Scuttle Panel  Rear Steel trim above rear bumper.  But want to include lots more panels in the future. Your thoughts and opinions are welcome as always. |
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Post by mickkelly on Dec 12, 2012 12:45:50 GMT 2
Keep up the good work Neil buisy as usual would their be any interest in doing a group buy on the poly bush kit like the ones from that polish dude think gaz got a set I'm thinking of getting a set after Christmas if Santa dosent bring them lol if any members would have interest
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Post by retrogaz on Dec 13, 2012 3:12:03 GMT 2
you can definitely count me in 100% for a new boot lid Neil. Was planning on getting mine sorted when the engine's running but I'd much rather a nice new lid. and if you've seen my scuttle panel and rear bumper trim, you'll know I'm down for a set of those too  Front bumpers are a bit floppy too, so may be a good idea to work on something with that. Maybe design something a bit meaner Keep us up to date bud, be good to see this all come together without much fuss and in good time. |
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Post by retrogaz on Dec 13, 2012 13:05:44 GMT 2
that guy makes it look so easy in the video's. I might have a go at making something one day, just to see how hard it is lol. hmmm my mirrors are looking a little weathered  Those scuttle panels are quite flexible aren't they? will that make it difficult to get the right shape? |
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Post by retrogaz on Dec 13, 2012 14:27:15 GMT 2
While I remember to ask... is there any way of changing the colour without loosing the weave effect?
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Post by Neil on Dec 14, 2012 16:01:54 GMT 2
It's something i've been thinking about actually. I myself will be Painting all the parts, rather than just having it bare, but i suppose people would want a bare carbon Look too, so i should really think about having a few more options for finished looks  If there's a specific style of weave or colour that you like, check out the Fabric list on the Easy composites web page- www.easycomposites.co.uk/Category/Fabric-and-Reinforcement/Carbon-Fibre-Cloth-Fabric.aspxAs for the wind screen scuttle panel. It's quite thin anyway, so i would get the same amount of flex from 3 thin layers of fabric And being just a trim part, it wouldn't ever get worked enough to crack the resin. I used to do a very similar thing in my old job making MRI Scanners as we used Glass cloth and 2 part Epoxy resin on the Magnet coils to stop the wire Moving under high current operation. We'd use autoclaves under 2 bar of vacuum, then fill with resin and let to air. I got use of some good equipment in my new job, so once i've moved house early next year, i'll get on it!  |
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Post by retrogaz on Dec 14, 2012 18:21:48 GMT 2
To be fair mate, I would probably just paint the panels anyway, just thinking in terms of design for the bonnet if that's on the cards, I'd like something a little darker to contrast the white, as I will be keeping it white when i get the bodywork resprayed.
Is there a chance of using carbon or something similar for the top layer and still having the strength of kevlar through the other layers?
What's your idea's for replacing the glass on the bootlid? Is the glass reusable from the original bootlid? I suppose perspex would be the next viable option if not.
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Post by Neil on Jan 4, 2013 3:53:21 GMT 2
To be fair mate, I would probably just paint the panels anyway, just thinking in terms of design for the bonnet if that's on the cards, I'd like something a little darker to contrast the white, as I will be keeping it white when i get the bodywork resprayed. Is there a chance of using carbon or something similar for the top layer and still having the strength of kevlar through the other layers? What's your idea's for replacing the glass on the bootlid? Is the glass reusable from the original bootlid? I suppose perspex would be the next viable option if not. I could make it entirely out of carbon fiber if someone wanted Gaz, Would be quite expensive though, Hence why i suggest going for Glass cloth in between, But whatever the customer wants and all that haha! The glass would fit, but is the heaviest part of the Bootlid, by lots! Either shatterproof perspex, Lexan or polycarbonate would be the best options for the Glass, although i want something that wont become milky under prolonged exposure to sunlight. As for bonnets- Lots of cloth material needed for Ma61's = Not cheap |
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Post by retrogaz on Jan 4, 2013 23:32:01 GMT 2
To be fair mate, I would probably just paint the panels anyway, just thinking in terms of design for the bonnet if that's on the cards, I'd like something a little darker to contrast the white, as I will be keeping it white when i get the bodywork resprayed. Is there a chance of using carbon or something similar for the top layer and still having the strength of kevlar through the other layers? What's your idea's for replacing the glass on the bootlid? Is the glass reusable from the original bootlid? I suppose perspex would be the next viable option if not. I could make it entirely out of carbon fiber if someone wanted Gaz, Would be quite expensive though, Hence why i suggest going for Glass cloth in between, But whatever the customer wants and all that haha! The glass would fit, but is the heaviest part of the Bootlid, by lots! Either shatterproof perspex, Lexan or polycarbonate would be the best options for the Glass, although i want something that wont become milky under prolonged exposure to sunlight. As for bonnets- Lots of cloth material needed for Ma61's = Not cheap Sounds good to me mate, I'm not too fussed on the materials in the bootlid, aslong as it looks decent and won't rust, it's gonna be less hassle than trying to salvage the old boot lid. With regards to Perspex / Lexan / Poly carb - I have noticed that some materials aren't as transparent, and make it hard to see through, i.e. the milky watered down look or making everything blurred and foggy-like. How do these materials fare with that in mind? I'm aware that the bonnet would require a few more layers, but im sure it would be worth the extra expense. Though I have noticed that easy composites only sell 1.2m wide rolls, would a wider material be needed or would it work side by side? |
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Post by retrogaz on Jan 4, 2013 23:35:37 GMT 2
oh and +1 from me to keep the TRD style wing as part of the bootlid! That thing makes the car man edit: Though it may make more sense to make it seperate, If you clip a wall with it, I'd rather it came off than rip a hole in the boot |
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Post by 5mgeeewiz on Apr 7, 2013 19:30:41 GMT 2
I would definitely be interested in composite front wings. I also have been considering a one piece front bumper/splitter with a large front open area/dam to provide better cooling to the rad - I have removed the large girder from behind the bumper. Do you think that this could be possibility? Even if it was glass-fibre only it would be a good option especially on the track. Any thoughts?
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Post by Neil on Apr 14, 2013 0:05:57 GMT 2
I would definitely be interested in composite front wings. I also have been considering a one piece front bumper/splitter with a large front open area/dam to provide better cooling to the rad - I have removed the large girder from behind the bumper. Do you think that this could be possibility? Even if it was glass-fibre only it would be a good option especially on the track. Any thoughts? Oooh, God  It would be Fcuking Expensive to Produce, and the Amount of units i would need to sell, to offset the Cost of Making the mould's would mean i would have to charge too much to break even.  The Trouble is, the standard Front bumper is quite nice looking anyhow. All the kits i've seen Ruin the Look of the car. They are also made from a high quality plastic, so much more hard wearing than fibreglass could ever hope to be, so it's a bit of a back step. There is Scope to Cut out the standard holes out even more, but if you want more efficient cooling, really you need to seal the sides by Ducting the vent. Otyherwise, most of the cool air is wasted by poor flow. |
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It would be Fcuking Expensive to Produce, and the Amount of units i would need to sell, to offset the Cost of Making the mould's would mean i would have to charge too much to break even. 