Heavy Metal! Part Deux - The Carbon Copy

[Jonny042]

I've been on the fence about making these - they are a bit time consuming and I'm always terrified to see what it's going to look like coming out of the mold... but I think I may have cracked the code to getting this hard-to-make puzzle figured out.

This one is a custom one, made to order for AG81. I'll be posting them for sale once I get caught up on skid plate production!

[Jonny042]

Porsche-aw calls these protection plates... but colloquially (thanks spell check!!) they are known as skid plates...

The production version of these has added small patches of non-conductive fiberglass cloth to both sides of the mounting points to mitigate galvanic corrosion. Probably not required but doesn't take long, cost much, or hurt. Unless, like a dummy, you forget to put them in the mold as the first step...

[Brookieslayer]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Porsche-aw calls these protection plates... but colloquially (thanks spell check!!) they are known as skid plates...

The production version of these has added small patches of non-conduction fiberglass cloth to both sides of the mounting points to mitigate galvanic corrosion. Probably not required but doesn't take long, cost much, or hurt. Unless, like a dummy, you forget to put them in the mold as the first step...



Edit - is the forum on the fritz again? I posted a pic, to no avail...

At least your tech in the shop is not on the fritz... the custom rear decklid spoiler looks perfect!

[AG81]

Fantastic Jon. Actually better than I had hoped for.
Let me know the total with shipping and I will get you paid.

[evan9eleven]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Fedex finally brought enough of my order that I could get to work making skidplates...

I feel like a dog who finally caught his tail... the response to the skid plates has been really good, and now I have some catching up to do. There's only one mold, and the cure time is a bit of a bottleneck. So one part in a 24 hour period is the best I can do.

Quite a few more to go...

I'm wondering how you are ever going to get time for your own car Jon! Seems you have a new full time job making "carbon copies" for everyone else

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by evan9eleven

I'm wondering how you are ever going to get time for your own car Jon! Seems you have a new full time job making "carbon copies" for everyone else

It does seem that way... I'm hoping to be able to find a balance between the two things. Response to the skid plates (the only thing I've officially offered for sale) has been very good so I'm playing catch-up but I don't think it will be a permanent problem...

[Brookieslayer]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

It does seem that way... I'm hoping to be able to find a balance between the two things. Response to the skid plates (the only thing I've officially offered for sale) has been very good so I'm playing catch-up but I don't think it will be a permanent problem...

I am going to add to the problem and order a skid plate. Will drop off the payment in person!

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Brookieslayer

I am going to add to the problem and order a skid plate. Will drop off the payment in person!

As they say... it's a nice problem to have!

[mnez]

Beautiful stuff. Looking forward to my skid plate!
Sub'd

[KRLocke]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

I've been on the fence about making these - they are a bit time consuming and I'm always terrified to see what it's going to look like coming out of the mold... but I think I may have cracked the code to getting this hard-to-make puzzle figured out.

This one is a custom one, made to order for AG81. I'll be posting them for sale once I get caught up on skid plate production!

Very cool! I wonder what this would look like on Turbo. I have always loved a tailless widebody but this little bump make make it slightly more interesting while the purity of the flares isn't interrupted by the tea tray.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Porsche-aw calls these protection plates... but colloquially (thanks spell check!!) they are known as skid plates...

The production version of these has added small patches of non-conductive fiberglass cloth to both sides of the mounting points to mitigate galvanic corrosion. Probably not required but doesn't take long, cost much, or hurt. Unless, like a dummy, you forget to put them in the mold as the first step...

Just in case anyone is wondering, the fiberglass cloth disappears once the part is infused with resin. This is the same surface as shown above, close up, after the vacuum resin infusion process. The very fine woven texture is actually imparted by the nylon cloth peel ply which gives a nice inner surface to the part. The fiberglass is there, and can be seen if you look closely in person but the camera won't pick it up.



This is a final production version of the skid plate. You might notice it's a little shinier than the previously pictured parts. I finally broke out the polisher to give it a final bit of attention. Each one should look at least this good. They will also have mounting holes.



If it's been a little quiet as of late, this is why... it's hard to convey how much work this pile of parts represents! Cutting this much Carbon/Kevlar is not a lot of fun...



I have ONE skid plate sized shipping box left, and enough material to add one more part to the pile, if anyone wants to get in on the first batch. I'm closing in on having these done and they should ship out Monday at the latest.

[Geneman]

DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE PICS OF THE TAIL lip.. say on a car or other? thanks.

[AG81]

This has turned into a full blown endeavor....... l

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Geneman

DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE PICS OF THE TAIL lip.. say on a car or other? thanks.

I've been sneaking them into the thread here and there but if you blinked you might have missed them...:

Originally Posted by Jonny042

I like carbon for what it is, and how it works, not really for how it looks. I mean, it's trick, and all, but I can't see myself leaving massive quantities of it exposed, in the end. Not to mention how much heavier the part gets if the first thing you do it spray 1mm of clear gelcoat in the mold so you can make it pretty. Not my thing. A bit of epoxy primer and some single stage is all it takes. I laid the paint on this spoiler pretty heavy just as a test - and it only added 80g to the part. More teasing...

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by KRLocke

Very cool! I wonder what this would look like on Turbo. I have always loved a tailless widebody but this little bump make make it slightly more interesting while the purity of the flares isn't interrupted by the tea tray.

As long as the Turbo doesn't actually have a turbo, I guess. As far as I know the Mini-duck is a little too Mini for an intercooler to duck under it.

You are right though. To my eyes, certain 911's look like they are lacking a bit of visual weight in the rear that this little embellishment adds in just the right amount, without overpowering the overall shape.

[nospiners]

It looks great , plus no need for a special grill it seems. What about a seal between the tail and the lid ?

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by nospiners

It looks great , plus no need for a special grill it seems. What about a seal between the tail and the lid ?

Yup, there is one (shown in the last pic). I'll be providing them with the spoilers.

[ssupman]

Please send me a PM once the mini tails are ready for production. I'm very interested in one for my 84. Love the carbon one you made for AG81.

[skinnerd]

If you ever want to try and make something like this, I'd be in...in a heart beat.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by ssupman

Please send me a PM once the mini tails are ready for production. I'm very interested in one for my 84. Love the carbon one you made for AG81.

Glad you like it! PM sent.