I've kept my kit car fairly spartan but couldn't resist adding a little side panelling. Also the rear bulk head ally sheet was looking a little scrathed so I replaced that too.

I decided to try some ABS sheeting from ESP plastics and glad I did. Much easier to work with than ally IMO and can be formed when heated for more complex installations.

http://www.esp-plastics.co.uk/kitcar.html

2.5mm is good for cosmetic panels. The 4mm would be better for more structural uses. The carbon effect is an after thought really. The transmission tunnel has got proper kevlar weave on GRP and so you can clearly see the pattern in it.



ABS sheet to replace ally

Ooooh, so you can form it with a heat gun to smooth out some sharp corners?

Yep it will flex a long way without feeling like it will shatter and returns to a flat sheet. If you heat it then it will retain the bend.

I cut the long edges with a wood saw and the finish was very neat. I could also cut the 2.5mm sheet with snips very easily too. Like ally but without deforming the edges!

How did you make the tunnel top?

Thanks,

Pat...

HI, we use this stuff with school pupils to make clocks and things with a hot wire bending machine, also can be vac formed to make mud guards and wind deflectors for toy trucks and a whole variety of cases and trays for holding electronic projects.
On an ex curricular basis, and for research purposes only, you understand, I have used it for kick panels, number plate mounts, floorliners, mini boot liners, spare wheel cover discs, dash boards, battery boxes etc etc, It can also be vac formed to make battery covers - our machine is fairly small which limits this activity.
It will bend easily when warmed with a hot air gun and can then be formed over the edgeof a work top/ broomshank or similar- main concern is not to get it too hot as this can cause bubbling in the surface - if you get the hot rubber smell it is hot enough.
Edges are best draw filed and polished with a bit of wet and dry paper. Over enthusiastic operatives have been known to melt it on the buffing machine so be careful or rather less enthusiastic.
Cuts easily with a bandsaw, jigsaw, scroll saw or if you are a cave dweller , by hand.

Well my garage was cold as a cave over the weekend so I cut it by hand!

Avoneer - The tunnel top is a RAW item, one of the few trim bits they actually sell for a Striker. I would have made mine from ABS if I didn't have that already!

The tunnel is a GRP mould with a single Kevlar weave layer and then clear coated on top.

[Edited on 28/2/06 by bimbleuk]

Looks rather nice

How does the price compare with ally panels out of interest? Not idea how much ally sheet costs these days...

David

I'm think that the thinner stuff might be a good basis for trimming panels instead of using mdf, ally etc. If you can make softer bends by using a heat gun it will be ideal for dashes and tunnels, even things like roof panels etc

Can't really compare the price as we buy in ali sheet from a stock holder or offcuts at the shows but get the ABS in true locost tradition via a mutual acquaintance

Score it with a stanley knife and bend. The plastic will crack along the score giving a reasonably clean edge. hold the knife blade a 90 degrees to the edge and pull it smoothly along and the edge becomes very clean. Much quicker and easier than using a saw and gives a better finish.

Most plasics have a density around 0.95 and 1.2 so 2.5mm plastic will weight about the same as 1mm aly.

This is desyboy's dash made from carbon effect abs:


Description

His entire interior and back boot lid is in the same stuff and it's stunning. Check out his photo archive.



[Edited on 1/3/06 by donut]

can you use this stuff in 750 MC

Just how much will this stuff bend and how easily with a heat gun? Could you make a rolled edge suitable for SVA?

Just phoned the company and the answer was yes

[Edited on 18/12/06 by Jasper]

Any idea where the cheapest place to buy this would be?

I'd like to get enough to do the dash and boot covering and a few other bits and pieces.

Just had a look at Desyboys interior and it looks f**cking great.

Can you put a 90 degree bend on this stuff?

U2U sent regarding abs sheet.

Holy shit. Fire up the flux capacitor Marty- it's the thread resurrection from the Guinness book of records

I know its a bit of a shot in the dark but back to the future's all the rage at the mo isn't it.

[Edited on 7/11/15 by cfc999]

This is a fantastic idea! Definitely noted for when I start my build, like the fact it won't pick up little dings and such like thin ally sheet would over time aswell