I was looking for something to replace the interior ally panels on my car, really just to smarten up the inside a little. Carbon would be lovely, but I don't want to spend 100s on this, and I don't want the immitation carbon. Would black abs sheeting be suitable? I've found some on the internet that seem very cheap (towards the bottom of this page). Anyone tried this? Any views on how it will look?

One thing to watch out for is to ask if it is UV safe, some stuff curls up and dies in the sun.
I bought an offcut 1.5mtr x 1mtr for a fiver.
UV friendly. Easy to work with, you cand cut the thinner stuff with tin snips or even good scissors.
Steve.

[Edited on 1/2/07 by stevec]

Thanks. I've e-mailed the company about this.

quote:

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Originally posted by stevec
One thing to watch out for is to ask if it is UV safe, some stuff curls up and dies in the sun.
I bought an offcut 1.5mtr x 1mtr for a fiver.
UV friendly. Easy to work with, you cand cut the thinner stuff with tin snips or even good scissors.
Steve.

[Edited on 1/2/07 by stevec]

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if you can, get the grained stuff, rather than the flat gloss sheet, it hides knocks and scratches a lot better.

an important one to consider if you're replacing ally, because it looks tatty.

tom

hi,

used this on our car for all the interior panels and dash. Dead easy to cut and shape. Got it all from http://www.esp-plastics.co.uk

cheers Tom

[Edited on 2/2/07 by tom windmill]

Also watch the co-efficient of expansion - it'll ripple in the sun, and settle back as it cools. Why do you need internal panelling anyway? All that weight.

Tom,

Which thickness did you use for yours? I have been considering re-trimming or replacing the matal for plastic for a while now and looks like it may happen this spring

Cheers

Paul

MNR supply ABS plastic CF effect sheet for their internal panels. Its precut to shape so probably no good for you but I've had it for a year and it seems fine. I think NFauto and europa specialist spares sell it in large sheets

REF: ESP plastics

I've used their sheets for a few things on my kit car and other bits. The 2.5mm is for cosmetic stuff only really. 4mm could be used for more structural uses. The carbon effect is rather poor though!

aren't ally interior panels better for chassis rigidity and safety?? (ducks for cover)

Flock it. Very little weight and surprisingly resilient. Can be done in situ if you are flexible. Ive had mine on for nearly 4 years and other than where I spilt brake fluid or where seats have rubbed its all intact.

- Jim

hi

i thikn it was the 2.5mm stuff we used - seems fine up to now!! 1 year on !!

tom