Substitute panel for center rear reflector

[project 911]

I ended up making one for mine but it was lots of work to get it right. I laminated three layers of clear acrylic sheet with bolts sandwiched between the layers. I bent it to the curve before cementing the layers. It has held up well, and if I want to change the look I can put the original reflector on. I've been tempted to make a mold from this.

[widgeon13]

Project 911

I've been tempted to make a mold from this.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[Paulporsche]

Steve B,
I'm assuming you sandwiched the bolts so they would not pull away from the plastic. Is this necessary? Would something like JB Weld hold them sufficiently?

[NoLift911]

If this thing was made correctly with the right thickness some double sided tape would do just fine - it just sits there.

Porsche bolted this thing to the vehicle like it was going to be used to tow something...total overkill.

Steve das toight!!

Whoever wants to make a mold for this - mold away, I would surely buy one.

-Jeff

[Paulporsche]

Jeff,
Why not just cut a strip of the appropriate thickness, paint it, and tape it on then? If you want the two built up squares @ the ends, just laminate a second piece of plastic there. Or, as I said earlier, if you have a white, black, silver, or (maybe) red car, you could apply a matching SA vinyl to the plastic strip new or existing).

[project 911]

Paul-

I have an illustration that shows how I put it together but can't get it to upload here. Use this link: http://www.deeplogic.net/911/panel.gif

The center layer has a hole or socket big enough for the bolt head to set in. I ground grooves in the bolt head so they wouldn't spin, and used epoxy to secure the head into the socket. The back layer has a hole just big enough for the bolt to run through. I cut all the panels a little long so they could be trimmed after it was done. I clamped all three layers with a curve that was close to the back of the car then used glue from a hobby shop to stick it all together. You just brush this liquid along the seams and it is drawn in by capillary action. When done I just sanded the edges smooth and painted it.

[Don Cothard]

As I 've read this I found it somewhat funny that if we take the lettering of the back of the car no one would know what it is. The shape is a dead give away. I would also buy one in a second.
Don

[ZLP]

Same here, if someone wants to make this I will buy one.....

[david.avery]

Thom, Thom, are you there? If he can make a hardtop, he can make this piece, and sell it pretty inexpensively I would think.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by dd74
I agree. Milt, how long would you need the part to make a mold?

For a splash mold with burlap and casting plaster, about an hour. That would be the best way, to make a better plug and then a perfect mold for parts. To take a production mold off the lense would take a couple of days of work and I can't work stratight through on that, so a week.

The plaster thing is probably a better wat to get started, but the aftermath to getting a production mold might be somewhat labor intensive and require a car for verification along the way.

Any way you slice it, it's definately doable. I've done many, many parts in my years, but have kinda sworn off the stuff (resins, gel coats, etc.) due to health reasons. Meaning, I'm a lot heathier as a result of not working with that stuff for the last 25 years.

But one more wouldn't hurt, I guess.

[Mahler9th]

How about carbon fiber? You could use a single layer of twill. measure the original piece and cut a piece of cf twill just oversized. Then use some epoxy resin and press it between mylar to make a single thickness (and therefore flexible) piece that you can trim to fit over the original with scissors. I have experimented with single-layer pieces like the one you see on the fan strap. I put a decal on it and it is just taped to the metal fan strap.

[masraum]

hmm, seems like if you are just going to cover it up the vinyl tape (the kind they make for striping cars) would be the best bet. Anything thicker would be a step in the wrong direction. Seems like making a mold and making it from f/g would be pretty darn easy, but I've never done it myself so what do I know.

I bet if someone got Thom a date with a cute chick that didn't care about money he'd probably make you one for free.

[dd74]

This is exactly how my car would look, down to the color...
Okay, I'm definitely tempted -- even just to give it a try...

[NoLift911]

GT racing does not make these as an FYI...

[JBO]

Isn't the reflector a safety item for rear visability? The rear lighting on these cars is not that great to begin with. Not sure I'd want to do away with the reflector for this reason, but I admit I'm getting old and no longer feel invincable!

[NoLift911]

I hear ya - however that reflector has the same reflective capability as a 1972 Huffy wheel spoke relector. Not much reflective technology there and what does get relected sits very low. Regular car headlights go right over it, if you are euro or lower ride height, forget about it.

I added a third high mount stop light to my 84 and run with DRL's

-Jeff

[shamrockcustoms]

I was thinking about the same thing today..If you build it I will buy...


Jay

[dweymer]

ok, maybe I will have to pull mine and mold it. I've got the glass, resin, even CF. How do I get it off? Mine is a '74, what years would it apply to? What would be a reasonable price for everyone?

[NoLift911]

The best way to go with this is just to make sure the thickness is correct. Don't worry about attachment points. If the thickness is correct you can mount it with double sided tape and do away with the clips and bolts nonsense. So in other words account for say 1/8 thickness for double sided tape and go from there. As long as the panel is somewhat flexible it will bend to the contour of the rear.

The guy from GT racing was telling me that they had thought about making one but that is as far as they got. He suggested a piece of Lexan used for windshields/glass etc is the correct thickness. I think finishing a piece of plastic would be easier than the fiber/carbon deal.

-Jeff

[Paulporsche]

Also, why do you need a mold for something that is a flat piece?