Interested in OEM mud flaps?
#54
Full Member
Thread Starter
The good news: all 4 master molds are done and a test cast of the right rear flap was done
somewhat bad news: the cast was pulled out too early and was too soft - but as you can see, the end result isn't bad. I'm sure given more time the end result would have been perfect.
More bad news: Urethane isn't cheap! Based on estimates - the set will consume more than >$100 worth of urethane
somewhat bad news: the cast was pulled out too early and was too soft - but as you can see, the end result isn't bad. I'm sure given more time the end result would have been perfect.
More bad news: Urethane isn't cheap! Based on estimates - the set will consume more than >$100 worth of urethane
Last edited by n7k1; 01-13-10 at 11:23 AM.
#55
Visual Kei
iTrader: (16)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Mtns of NC/SC
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OH MY GOD! It looks amazing! Kind of sucks that it's going to be that expensive but is there any way you can search around and see if they offer materials in bulk to complete them for a decent price? I'm pretty much sold and will pay for a complete set if you decide to market them. These would be brand new and not some shitty broken ones from a junk yard/etc. I'm sure you'll still have supporters to make it worth your while in the end if there is a cheaper way to mass produce them.
Thanks for the update. I'm on pins and needles hoping this works out.
Thanks for the update. I'm on pins and needles hoping this works out.
#56
Full Member
Thread Starter
I certainly agree - I need to find a cheaper casting material. I am going to cast myself a set using the remaining urethane I have - but after that, I'm going to look at other options. As I cast different sets in different materials, I'll see if anyone wants to buy them until I've found a prefect balance of casting material and price.
I actually found a foam very similar to what the OEM ones are made of. It's a two-part foam. The problem is that the OEM mounting hardware, which does not require drilling, is impossible to find. If we drill this foam product, it's 'skin' will be broken and the product will begin to degrade.
The other option I was thinking of, was to hollow-out the mudflap and only cast the skin in a hard urethane. It would be kind of similar to the other rubber mud flaps you see on any car on the road...but I'm not too keen on this idea. I think the end result would look cheap.
The urethane doesn't weigh as much as I thought it would. It's similar in weight to the original foam after it's soaked in some water.
Anyways, I'll post pics of the completed set in the next few days.
I actually found a foam very similar to what the OEM ones are made of. It's a two-part foam. The problem is that the OEM mounting hardware, which does not require drilling, is impossible to find. If we drill this foam product, it's 'skin' will be broken and the product will begin to degrade.
The other option I was thinking of, was to hollow-out the mudflap and only cast the skin in a hard urethane. It would be kind of similar to the other rubber mud flaps you see on any car on the road...but I'm not too keen on this idea. I think the end result would look cheap.
The urethane doesn't weigh as much as I thought it would. It's similar in weight to the original foam after it's soaked in some water.
Anyways, I'll post pics of the completed set in the next few days.
#59
Now With 10th AE Fun!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about if you used that 2 part foam your talking about and then sprayed something like Rhino truck bed liner over it to increase its strength. Something to think about at least. Looks good though.
#61
Driving RX7's since 1979
iTrader: (43)
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
I actually found a foam very similar to what the OEM ones are made of. It's a two-part foam. The problem is that the OEM mounting hardware, which does not require drilling, is impossible to find. If we drill this foam product, it's 'skin' will be broken and the product will begin to degrade.
I have mud flaps on all three of my Verts. The stock mounting hardware many times just falls off as the material normalizes to the compression that hardware uses for mounting. Screws something something retangular rather than round washers would be the best.
#63
Full Member
Thread Starter
Finishing up the mother molds to reinforce the rubber mold. I'll cast a couple sets with the remaining urethane and put them on ebay. After that, it'll be by request
#65
Full Member
Thread Starter
#68
Full Member
Thread Starter
no sets have gone out yet. I'm looking for brackets - but my free time has been spent checking out Olympic venues lately. Traffic is getting pretty bad up here.
I expect to have a couple sets out at the end of the month
I expect to have a couple sets out at the end of the month