Track car interior panels...

1. KierenCrawford Banned Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 411

   #1 9th January 2014, 23:19

   Mehhhh
2. saxochild L-plater Joined: Feb 2006 stockport United Kingdom (England) Posts: 80 m3 500 convertible vw caddy 140ps 106 gti race c

   #2 10th January 2014, 01:00

   I will be knocking some up out of plastic probably acrylic on my race car will measure and post pics for you when there done

   1 user thanked this post: KierenCrawford
3. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #3 10th January 2014, 02:28

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by KierenCrawford I'm not paying the crazy amount that they are charging for there panels when I can make something of the same quality myself

   Have you got an autoclave then? If not please explain how you can make the same thing to the same standard?
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by KierenCrawford was wondering what people suggest making them out of Perspex, Sheet steel, Sheet aluminum, ect...

   er... Carbon? You've already said you can make something to the same standard...

   2 users thanked this post: Marv_106, dolby20
4. user_55718 Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Tadcaster Posts: 331 08 turbo panda 02 vtr

   #4 10th January 2014, 04:32

   its very easy to make carbon panels, to the same standard, using wet lay instead of pre preg. the only real difference is it takes a bit more effort and wet lay doesnt offfer quite the same strength.
   I am currently working on making a carbon bonnet for my r, just working up to it by trying smaller bits first.
   
   Personally, I would buy a sheet of 2mm acrylic - or perspex as it doesnt shatter - you can buy laminated carbon sheets, but i looked into it and its foooookin expensive!!! the weight difference between plastic and carbon is not enough to warrent the extra cost imo.

   2 users thanked this post: johnnyg_vts, KierenCrawford
5. wullvfr Established Member Joined: Jan 2009 killin,perthshire Posts: 1561 Audi a3 1.8sport,kawasaki zx9r c2,Yamaha R1 track

   #5 10th January 2014, 06:23

   Just had a look,they are quite expensive.
   
   I reckon you should make them and if they are decent enough punt them on here.
6. KierenCrawford Banned Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 411

   #6 10th January 2014, 08:39

   Mehhhhh
7. Assenracing Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2012 Wirral Posts: 185 E46 330d - Saxo Vts

   #7 10th January 2014, 09:00

   Pm sent bud

   1 user thanked this post: KierenCrawford
8. KierenCrawford Banned Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 411

   #8 10th January 2014, 09:07

   Mehhhh
9. unclewinnet Infrequent Poster Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 168

   #9 10th January 2014, 09:07

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by thecorporatemachine Personally, I would buy a sheet of 2mm acrylic - or perspex as it doesnt shatter - you can buy laminated carbon sheets, but i looked into it and its foooookin expensive!!! the weight difference between plastic and carbon is not enough to warrent the extra cost imo.

   Perspex shatters quite easily you would be better of using polycarbonate
10. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

    #10 10th January 2014, 12:56

    Wet lay will never look as good as prepreg - full stop. Plus as you mentioned, it's not as strong.
    
    Just so we're clear, you won't get "the same" quality as streamline stuff any other way. You're now talking about making Perspex/polycarbonate/alloy panels - far from streamlines standards...

    2 users thanked this post: Marv_106, dolby20
11. Dave_P Established Member Joined: Dec 2010 Aberdeen Posts: 2129 Race: 106 Rallye 16v. Road: Mercedes Vito 120 CDI

    #11 10th January 2014, 13:06

    Why do you need blanks? Just remove the panel and that's it. Cheaper & lighter.

    3 users thanked this post: tweeqd, Mochachino, user_29491
12. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

    #12 10th January 2014, 13:56

    Don't some regs require open holes to be covered?
13. user_65832 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2013 ashford Posts: 231 citreon saxo vtr 1.6

    #13 10th January 2014, 14:11

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Dave_P Why do you need blanks? Just remove the panel and that's it. Cheaper & lighter.

    because he's a tart, most likely for road use
14. Assenracing Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2012 Wirral Posts: 185 E46 330d - Saxo Vts

    #14 10th January 2014, 14:30

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by KierenCrawford Cheers mate, was a very interesting read will look more into it

    Your welcome bud glad I could help, still think carbon/kevlar would look tricker
15. Dave_P Established Member Joined: Dec 2010 Aberdeen Posts: 2129 Race: 106 Rallye 16v. Road: Mercedes Vito 120 CDI

    #15 10th January 2014, 14:54

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ross Don't some regs require open holes to be covered?

    I do MSA hillclimbs and don't run interior panels, the road car class would require panels to be fitted. I don't think track days would require panels to be fitted either.
16. KierenCrawford Banned Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 411

    #16 10th January 2014, 17:14

    Mehhhhh
17. Martijn_M Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 Eindhoven, NL Posts: 239 106 S2 Rallye

    #17 10th January 2014, 18:41

    Are there any EPS files about for interior panels? If so easy to get them cut with a laser.
18. user_55718 Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2011 Tadcaster Posts: 331 08 turbo panda 02 vtr

    #18 11th January 2014, 18:29

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ross Wet lay will never look as good as prepreg - full stop. Plus as you mentioned, it's not as strong. Just so we're clear, you won't get "the same" quality as streamline stuff any other way. You're now talking about making Perspex/polycarbonate/alloy panels - far from streamlines standards...

    
    it is actually possible to get wet lay to look as good as pre-preg, it just takes more effort and costs arent that much different, once you have bought a air compressor and a spray gun capable of spraying gel coat.
    
    Interior panels dont require strength, so why bother with prepreg? or why use carbon at all? alright, it looks freakin awesome, but using polycarb offers a very similar weight to cf.
    
    I used to do a lot of dinghy sailing, and did a fair bit of wet laying of cf, with the proper amount of prep and care taken during manufacture you would be suprised.

    1 user thanked this post: johnnyg_vts
19. tweeqd Established Member Joined: Mar 2006 Farnham Surrey Posts: 1542 AX GT 16v turbo 6 speed with NOS 205 gti6 E 320

    #19 11th January 2014, 20:56

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by KierenCrawford Make it look in finished with huge holes in the doors and dash, if your gonna go it might aswell do it right, and I'm putting the window switches and 2gauges in the stereo blank

    Contradicting yourself there, if your going to the bother of stripping the car and "doing it right" then why would you have window switches ?
    
    Im with dave, perspex, carbon or alloy is weight that isnt needed
20. Chris_O Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 Kent Posts: 4175 RB25'd s14a + 2008 MWB Transit

    #20 11th January 2014, 21:03

    There was someone on here (benwwh65 or something like that) that used to sell blanks simply made of black acrylic sheet. Did the job just fine

    1 user thanked this post: benwh555
21. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

    #21 12th January 2014, 02:14

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thecorporatemachine it is actually possible to get wet lay to look as good as pre-preg, it just takes more effort and costs arent that much different, once you have bought a air compressor and a spray gun capable of spraying gel coat. Interior panels dont require strength, so why bother with prepreg? or why use carbon at all? alright, it looks freakin awesome, but using polycarb offers a very similar weight to cf. I used to do a lot of dinghy sailing, and did a fair bit of wet laying of cf, with the proper amount of prep and care taken during manufacture you would be suprised.

    I have made a fair few carbon parts including molds - using resin infusion which trumps wet lay big time. And resin infusion is inferior to pre-preg and autoclaved parts massively.
    
    You cannot match the surface finish of autoclaved prepreg by any other method. I still stand by that.
22. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

    #22 12th January 2014, 10:33

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Dave_P Why do you need blanks? Just remove the panel and that's it. Cheaper & lighter.

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ross Don't some regs require open holes to be covered?

    OP is wanting to do hill climb by his previous post. So get rid of door cards altogether and fit polycarb windows too. Tbh just sounding like another boy racer wanting a 'track car' to drive round his local town

    1 user thanked this post: chompy
23. Dave_P Established Member Joined: Dec 2010 Aberdeen Posts: 2129 Race: 106 Rallye 16v. Road: Mercedes Vito 120 CDI

    #23 12th January 2014, 20:57

    Are you competing this season? Whats your nearest hillclimb venue, Prescott or Shelsley?
    
    Will you be running in the mod prod up to 2.0 class?
24. Dave_P Established Member Joined: Dec 2010 Aberdeen Posts: 2129 Race: 106 Rallye 16v. Road: Mercedes Vito 120 CDI

    #24 14th January 2014, 19:26

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Dave_P Are you competing this season? Whats your nearest hillclimb venue, Prescott or Shelsley? Will you be running in the mod prod up to 2.0 class?

    
    ??????