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Panel Materials
cfc999 - 4/11/15 at 02:39 PM

Just contemplating re-paneling my Striker hillclimb project.
I've removed all the original alloy panels (in poor condition) with a view to using them as templates to make some new ones. Don't want to drill anymore holes in the chassis so I'm planning on using the original holes.
Just wondering what other types of material can be used.
I like the look of carbon sheet but its expensive and i need to be able to bend it 90 digress over the edge of the chassis top and bottom rails.
Has anyone used carbon effect ABS plastic sheet. Its much cheaper than carbon and it's flexible when heated enabling it to be shaped.

WallerZero - 4/11/15 at 02:54 PM

why not ally panels again with a carbon vinyl wrap?

gremlin1234 - 4/11/15 at 06:17 PM

could you get away with canvas for the side panels?

Slimy38 - 4/11/15 at 07:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cfc999
Its much cheaper than carbon and it's flexible when heated enabling it to be shaped.


It might be flexible once, as soon as it's heated and cooled it goes rock solid and will not bend again. There is also an element of 'spring back' to the bend, so you'll need to factor it in. Oh yeah, and you'll need to heat the entire sheet in one, and get it to the point where you'll need welding gloves to touch it. But not too hot otherwise you'll get bubbles.

And did I mention it's only flexible the first time...

(It's also a fair bit heavier than an equivalent size aluminium panel)

I got an A4 piece of plastic to fold into a mobile phone holder. I got three attempts before I gave up.

Slimy38 - 4/11/15 at 07:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
could you get away with canvas for the side panels?


I think someone on here considered the same material as some aeroplane wings, the canvas is soaked in something and becomes rigid when dry? Not sure what happened to that idea though.

There is a special term for it but I can't remember...

Edit: Found it, it's called 'doping'...

[Edited on 4/11/15 by Slimy38]

gremlin1234 - 4/11/15 at 08:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
could you get away with canvas for the side panels?


I think someone on here considered the same material as some aeroplane wings, the canvas is soaked in something and becomes rigid when dry? Not sure what happened to that idea though.

There is a special term for it but I can't remember...

Edit: Found it, it's called 'doping'...

[Edited on 4/11/15 by Slimy38]
yep, in effect cotton reinforced resin. and easy to repair, just paste another sheet over any damage.

smart51 - 4/11/15 at 10:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
could you get away with canvas for the side panels?


Canvas and nitrile dope was what covered biplanes. You could do the same to a locost. It would be lighter than any other covering. You could use denim if you want it to stand out.

Irony - 4/11/15 at 10:39 PM

All different plastics will have massively varied reactions to bending and the stresses and strains of being mounted on a car. There many ddifferent grades of ABS so saying it won't work is completely wwrong . more plastics research is required and I wouldn't use this forum for iI. I suspect there will be a rigid plastic suitable, what are bumpers made from?

cfc999 - 5/11/15 at 09:06 AM

Thanks for the info. Just trying to think of all my options. Interested in a material that once fitted doesn't need painting, wrapping, powder coating ect. Something that looks good straight out of the tin.

40inches - 5/11/15 at 10:11 AM

What about ally composite, light and strong? Link Just using CBS as an example, probably cheaper suppliers are available.

Slimy38 - 5/11/15 at 10:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Irony
All different plastics will have massively varied reactions to bending and the stresses and strains of being mounted on a car. There many ddifferent grades of ABS so saying it won't work is completely wwrong . more plastics research is required and I wouldn't use this forum for iI. I suspect there will be a rigid plastic suitable, what are bumpers made from?


You have a good point there, I did generalise a bit too much. As you say there could be a great deal of research done to find a suitable type of plastic.