FD door panel defroster grille
 

Hey everyone I've been working on restoring my FDs interior and changing everything over to black. I've been on the hunt for all the stock black plastic trim for about a year now, and thanks to Ray Crow, Bubble Tech, and Garage Alpha I've got almost everything. The one part I haven't been able to find is the FD door panel defroster grille Part # FD01-68-4J6-02 Left Door & FD01-68-4J1-02 Right Door.
So I reached out to a local and reputable 3D printing shop that has agreed to work with me on re-engineering and reproducing this part. I know some might say just paint them black an call it a day, but that would be too easy. The plastic is weathered and most likely brittle and I'm looking for the right solution not the easy one.

Would anyone be interested in something like this?

Pictured below are the stock vents/grille not a final product.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7c15867068.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...eba2887b2d.jpg

I had the same thought as you about 3d printing these. I'm trying to find some used ones (any color) in good condition and have my friend scan it then i'll just 3d print them at home. But as you know, they are really hard to find.

but I would be interested in some red ones if you can get this project going.

I'd be interested in a set of red ones too. Resin choice is going to be important since it needs to stand up to significant temps and UV while maintaining the color.

im interested also!

interested

I'm gonna talk to a friend at work tomorrow to se if he can help me get the ball rolling on this thing a little faster.

interested

I'm interested in the black as well.

I started designing the door vent piece now.

Here are pics of the passenger door bolt cover and sunroof bolt cover I designed and printed. (Images taken straight from the 3d printer. Still trying to find best way to finish them)
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...9a&oe=5F208E93
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f8&oe=5F23F550
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...31&oe=5F208FC0
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...85&oe=5F20D0C8
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...ae&oe=5F22C1A5
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...54&oe=5F228E49

Hey guys. Sorry for the hiatus. I was able to get some rough draft scans. Hopefully I'll get an actual printed product soon. But until then here you go.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...36f84303aa.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9c5ee13fef.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d1381e1265.jpg

scan looks good. hopefully you'll print a few and test it out for fitment and if it will survive high temps.


Thanks.

That is the plan my friend.

Update: hey guys I recently got a rough draft print of one of the vents and was able to test fit it. The print was done in half the time so it's not as refined as it should be hence it being a "rough" draft
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...73da074d54.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cbc7bfe502.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7f0c4c66b0.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3168e47142.jpg

glad to help you test fit this!

Yeah thanks again dude!

Any updates?

Hey everyone sorry for the delay in updates, but Fire season has been crazy in Cali. I was able to get a good quality print done with the ASA material. I'm pretty happy with the print the only issue is it took 18 hrs for each part. I'm working on another print in resin. I've been told it comes out with a higher quality of print and is just as strong and durable as ASA. The downside is it only comes in 3 colors gunmetal grey, clear and white. The pics of the latest print has not been touched up it is fresh off the printer.https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...430ef1a9dd.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8bfd26bcf2.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...99db28d435.jpg

New resin prints.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...55b06adc30.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f39d8be4db.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ded261c9c5.jpg

Nice work! If I were to buy one, I'd like to see some cleanup on the area that sits above the door panel. Or just make that area thicker so the end user can work it as desired.
I'm also curious how this resin survives in heat and direct sunlight given the location.

interested

This is really cool. In for updates

Spent about 30 to 45 min sanding and preparing the vents for a coat of paint and a quick test fit the other day.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a8b3ba7eba.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1d75ec35c5.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d9f658288d.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a93307e08f.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...09948fde3e.jpg
sorry for the super upclose pics I had to resize all the pics in order to get them to post

Any chance of reviving this or making the scan file available?

@RXSpeed16 pm sent.

Would be very interested in buying printed ones off you or the scan file as well!

me too

I just got a pair of these and was impressed with the quality:

https://protoforge3d.net/collections/mazda-rx-7-93-95

thanks. i just ordered it.

just got mine in today. quality looks good. quality of print looks good. i see no layer lines from the 3d print. feels sturdy. and color matches pretty good.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c5fed21487.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...937d7400f0.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8849756d4b.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...18c9127701.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...90fa529058.jpg

Are these still available? I looked at the site and it wouldn't open the link

I emailed the vendor to see if he can still make them. I'll post his response.

crickets.

Yeah, not surprised. Looked like a dormant site.

thanks for emailing them.

Would anyone be interested in mass-producing these? I have the 3d scanned stl file. I'm sorry, but with young kids and full-time career I just don't have the time or ability to take on task. I've had a few PMs of people interested in wanting a set.

Hopefully someone is able to take this on. This was one of those things I kept telling myself, "I'll just pick this up later" and of course, now they are unavailable. There was a couple other things you were producing that were on the site back then also. I thought there was some other needed pieces, but I can't for the life of me remember the other parts you were producing.

Looks like he hasn't been around in several month, but seems like a part that is right up the alley for @Draklore

A scan would make me producing them a lot easier, if you can email them to me.
Shanedrakeairforce@gmail.com

thanks for thinking of me, lots of requests for this part.

Drake I'll send all the files I have for this project. Hopefully you can continue where I left off, and hopefully the Rx7 community can benefit from having one more part to choose from in restoring their cars.