I'm looking for some information and have been all over the internet (and yes, I have googled it) but I'm looking to find out if you can make a mold off of plastic parts like the headlight shrouds. If anyone knows if the heat from the epoxy curing will cause damage, like deforming the original piece, or won't release from the plastic even with the release agents, please let me know.

I'm going to make molds for the Z emblems, Nissan emblems and then go to body parts (front lips, side skirts, rear diffusers/lips and even a lip style spoiler) out of kevlar. I would also like to do interior pieces eventually, like the kick panels, rear speaker housing, center console and rear strut covers.

I will be doing this by vacuum infusing rather than pressing, so it's a big investment for even the little things to not work out. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Sounds like a very aggressive project.Question:I take it with all the investment that you are planning on doing,you are planning on marketing the parts?If so,are the parts that you are planning on making not currently available in the marketplace?If you are planning on going through all this to make parts for your car it makes no sense.
On your question pulling off of plastic parts,you may want to talk directly with someone in the business.A good source is PROTECH COMPOSITES.You can find them on the web.
I buy carbon fiber material from them.Ask for Jeff.

 

I plan on making kevlar items rather that just carbon fiber. I may market the emblems, but the rest of body/interior parts would probably only be available locally if they turn out.

 

If you even have to ask this question I suggest you take a few classes in composite tech or work with a local shop to get some real world experience. Wow, and starting off with Kevlar and RTM with no experience. Sounds like you have big dreams, best of luck!

 

I have worked with Carbon Fiber & Epoxy before, but not Kevlar. I actually made a rear lip spoiler, side moldings and front grill as well as wrapped interior pieces before. I just wanted to start on different items with the Kevlar.

Plus I've never worked with the lighter plastics like emblems and headlight shrouds when applying the epoxy resins, just trying to find the answer. But I already obtained a few emblems from different cars for free and will be trying it out rather than having to buy some that may turn south. Thanks for your input though.

 

I can't imagine the headlight covers deforming due to the resin. People put them in the oven at >250* to pull them apart.

Question for you though: Do you know of decent resins that will hold up to 300* temps?

 

It's just for precaution really. Headlights aren't cheap. lol

Epoxy Resin, once cured obviously, should be able to handle 300*. I'll do a run through with a heat gun to release the bubbles and that will actually make for a better product and if I was to do a heated cure/mold, the temperature resistance should actually go up about 50*-100*. (But I don't see spending the extra money on a heat mold. lol)

 

ok, so I'm trying to design a different style rear lip or diffuser. If anyone wants to give a stab at photoshop, I'd like to do one that is a combination of:


&

 

I used that same red car as reference for a photoshop about a year ago, but I still made it a little different.


Here I was trying to make the side splitter more like a nismo/chargespeed rear splat


They are not very realistic looking, but you get the idea

 

The thing is the Ferrari CF part is somewhat long(from the rear bumper to the underside) and the Z difusser is not.

 

Thanks for the quick photoshop pics. It does help visualize it quite a bit more.

That's a R35 rear diffuser actually

I would like to make one that is a little deeper under the Z's rear end as well, like this GTR's

 

in for this

 

Ok. So I'm trying to think of mounting points as I haven't actually put my car up on the rack yet, but, under the car, I was thinking something like this:


Trying to get it a LITTLE closer to the GTR:

 

Waste of a thread....you're trying to ask people to give you advice as to how to make Kevlar parts, then you're going to try to make them and sell. For real dude?? If you have to ask the questions you've asked thus far in the thread then you shouldn't make anything. Wow

 

Well if things were read completely, you would see I don't really plan on selling them unless they come out perfectly. I'm asking for opinions for a new design not currently available now and previously I was asking about heat vs a light plastic shroud. If you plan on talking negatively, please read the entire thread. Thank you.

 

shine supposedly has strakes for the TS diffuser...

 

I would like to take a few steps beyond just adding some strakes to the MasterGrade Diffuser. I've been working on some sketches, as soon as they get cleaned up I'll post them and get an opinion on them.