Making replacement thin plastic parts isn't a no brainier but isn't all that difficult either. If you have the part to be duplicated you just spray the inside or outside of the part down with Pam. Next you mix up epoxy and lightly coat the Pam side of the part. After the thin epoxy coat has dried lay on a layer of fiberglass fabric of your choice. Let that cure and decide if you need more fabric as a stiffener. You can build on this as much as necessary for strength. Separate the part from the poor condition original. You may need to fill tiny blemishes with body filler and sand them out. There you've just created a fiberglass mold to pull many cloned parts from. You just build the parts just like you built the mold. (Some people prefer plaster of paris for a quickie mold but the time for either is about the same since the plaster mold has to cure and be coated with a release agent such as fiberglass waxed out to a high shine.) ------------------------------ If you just want one part it's pretty intense but worth the effort if you can sell a few to fellow VW owners along the way. ------------------------------ Have I ever done this? Yes. Many times. Stan Wilder Engine Ceramics 214-352-4931 www.engineceramics.com
----- Original Message ----- From: "jbange" <hfinn@INGRATES.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 11:34 AM Subject: Re: making obsolete plastic parts.? Re: '80-'84 westy plastic pass Curtain rod cover
> > > >regarding reproducing the '80-'84 westy right rear plastic curtain rod cover > >- well i have a few "donors" here.. i just need to locate someone who does > >plastic extrusion or injection molding.. do u know anyone? > > You might want to have a look over at <emachineshop.com>; they say they do > plastic extrusions <http://tinyurl.com/c6g2s>. This sounds like exactly the > sort of thing they'd be good for. They have a mini-CAD application that you > download and use to design the part you need and select the material and > process for making it. You hit the submit button and they give you back > instant price quotes for various quantities, from 1 to 1000+. I imagine > they'd be handy for all sorts of weird small scale stuff like this. > > John Bange > '90 Vanagon "Geldsauger" > 9 months owned - $11144 "invested" > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.16 - Release Date: 4/18/2005 > > |
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