Topic: plastic wheel arch flares A new design.Comments please (Read 11981 times)

chuggaman · « **on:** August 08, 2006, 21:20:28 »

We are in process of a new design of a discovery and rangerover extended flare.
I would be gratefull if you could comment please on your likes or dislikes.
Thanks to amalfi for the designs.

mike

Budgie · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2006, 21:43:00 »

I chose plastic but, being more flexible makes them harder for normal car paint to stick too.

On the plus side for the fibreglass ones, they are easy to repair if they do get damaged!

From this:

....to this in a day & half (allowing for the resin to go off and paint to dry)

chuggaman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2006, 21:57:03 »

thanks for your help budgie.....

the sample i have in my hand is certainly as stiff as the fibreglass ones on my disco......

but its half as thin..........

if i stamp on it it pops back into shape....

mike

imspanners · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2006, 22:26:52 »

If the plastic ones were flexible, they'd be on my Disco tomorrow!

Boomer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2006, 23:09:39 »

Re the comment about paint not sticking to plastic wheel arces: if they are made of poly propylene (as most car bumpers etc are) then the trick to make the paint stick is to BRIEFLY pass an open flame over the area to be painted, this opens up the surface to allow the paint to key. One pass only is required, subsequent passes kills the surface and paint won't stick. This process is used in industry to enable painting of poly prop parts.

PS Don't tell anyone, it's a trade secret !!

Eeyore · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2006, 08:14:31 »

But be carefull, PP liberates a wax just below it's melting point (approx 160degC IIRC) which paint defiantely won't stick too. PP is one of the most chemically resistant polymers.

Purpose made primers are now available.

Still darn near impossible to glue, though.

cheers
8)
Eeyore

Budgie · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2006, 10:05:50 »

I wasn't so much on about getting the paint on there as stopping it chipping off in large chunks when the arches flex.

chuggaman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2006, 19:34:40 »

the arches will be made of abs plastic...........

is that not better for the purpose of painting??

mike

bobtail4x4 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2006, 20:58:18 »

assuming they WILL get bent and broken, I can fix glassfibre.

Matt_H · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2006, 22:29:10 »

well I went throgh this whole thing before I torched the disco :(

I cut mine back and used knock on edging to get rid of the sharp edge. Worked well and was cheap. I had big tyres without them sticking out too much - just save some normal ones for the mot.

Matthew

Matt_H · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2006, 22:31:49 »

and here is a picture!

Boomer · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2006, 16:37:49 »

Re the ABS arches. Yes ABS is much more forgiving and can be painted without flaming first.

chuggaman · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2006, 18:04:54 »

here are 2 pics of a small section of the first prototype...

where i am shown pushing the arch downwards the stress on the plastic is severe.

the other picture shows a stress mark to the bottom left where i stamped on it with my work boots...

the bit on the right is where i tried to rip it....(eventually succeeded with a vice)

the finished product will be smooth textured

Mart · « **Reply #13 on:** August 10, 2006, 18:41:06 »

have you made a mould for vacuum forming them then?

chuggaman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2006, 19:20:51 »

Quote from: "Mart"

have you made a mould for vacuum forming them then?

yes

mike

simdeb · « **Reply #15 on:** August 10, 2006, 20:30:14 »

are you making them to sell ???

Jake · « **Reply #16 on:** August 10, 2006, 20:49:31 »

Watching with interest.
(its still on my mind, trimming the arches back :roll: )
:D

chuggaman · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2006, 21:16:52 »

Quote from: "simdeb"

are you making them to sell ???

of course!!!

not privately but to some of the big 4x4 suppliers......

there are 4 patents and 1 pending for this product...........

and nearly 9 other products in the pipeline...

suggested retail price is to be set to be around 180 - 210 gbp...

left to the big retailers it would probably be more......

is that too much for unbreakable

Jake · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2006, 21:26:48 »

Sounds like a fair price for 1 set for life.
8)

Littledan · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2006, 01:49:11 »

would be nice for mud club discount aye mike

chuggaman · « **Reply #20 on:** August 11, 2006, 15:24:27 »

Quote from: "Littledan"

would be nice for mud club discount aye mike

of course dan....

here is the finished product in a high definition colour

mike

Mart · « **Reply #21 on:** August 11, 2006, 17:42:54 »

looks good, notthat i have a disco but i'm guessing you could have several moulds for different width arches.

did a bit of vacuum forming at school years ago lol

bullfrog · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2006, 20:42:38 »

Looks a little short to me :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
would they fit a RRC ? :?:

Littledan · « **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2006, 01:59:49 »

mike.... are u making them 1 size i mean like u u have wide wheels will u be makin wide arches or are they just 1 size?

thanks dan

chuggaman · « **Reply #24 on:** August 12, 2006, 06:09:49 »

Quote from: "bullfrog"

Looks a little short to me :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
would they fit a RRC ? :?:

yes indeed they will..

Quote from: "Littledan"

mike.... are u making them 1 size i mean like u u have wide wheels will u be makin wide arches or are they just 1 size?

thanks dan

just 1 size dan 80mm protruding from bodywork....

i figure if they cover my tyres then they will cover most

mike

Littledan · « **Reply #25 on:** August 13, 2006, 01:56:00 »

Quote from: "chuggaman"

Quote from: "bullfrog"
Looks a little short to me :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
would they fit a RRC ? :?:

yes indeed they will..

Quote from: "Littledan"
mike.... are u making them 1 size i mean like u u have wide wheels will u be makin wide arches or are they just 1 size?

thanks dan

just 1 size dan 80mm protruding from bodywork....

i figure if they cover my tyres then they will cover most

mike

awesome stuff 80mm is quite a lot!

wicked cant wait to see the finished product!

good luck mike

abbo · « **Reply #26 on:** August 22, 2006, 21:44:33 »

Hi realy enjoyed reading the comments about the arches. I am looking for a set for me disco 1. Could you let me know when sets become available. cheers abbo

chuggaman · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2006, 20:29:29 »

launch in two weeks

mike

Littledan · « **Reply #28 on:** October 11, 2006, 22:02:22 »

got a pics mike???

dan

Tyke · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2006, 22:05:09 »

keep us informed fella . . . . I'm looking for a set but probably with a bit more of a cut than whats shown in the pics.

Will they cater for five door motors ? . . . . . that's if one is brave enough to make the cuts in the rear doors . . . . . :lol:

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AuthorTopic: plastic wheel arch flares A new design.Comments please (Read 11981 times)