Per Omicron’s encouragement, here are the steps that I took in order to make my own side strakes.
See thread for previous discussions.
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?threadid=26709&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

1. Get some thin cardboard and cut it as close as the fender profile. It is ok if you have some gaps for now.

2

2. With a technique use by carpenters, with your pencil lay as flat as possible to the fender and trace the profile. After that, you can cut the cardboard with scissors. It might still have some gaps so it might require some extra trimming it. This process is done twice for both upper and lower strakes, unless you wish to add a third or fourth strake per side. Make sure to label each profiles like Right upper, Right lower, etc. For the left side just flip them over.

3. Once you have the profiles, you can design the strakes as long and protruded as you want. I my case I wanted to have a close copy of the originals. Feel free to experiment! I tried several designs, even a serrated one but it will look like I came from Mad Max movie. Use the pencil so that you can erase the lines if you don’t like them.

My patterns that I came with.

4. The material of choice is 3/8” nylon 6/6. This can be purchase at an industrial supply company such as McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ under raw material/plastic section. Aluminum is a bit harder to work with (you will find out soon). Lay your pattern on the nylon sheet and trace the pattern using a permanent marker. A nice thick line is fine. Again, for the other side of the vehicle, just flip the pattern and retrace it.

additional picture

5. Then proceed to cut the material with a jig saw or a band saw. While cutting out the strake, try following the thick line as long as you do not cut beyond the line. Repeat the steps for the rest of the strakes. The picture shows the strakes just cut. Those were the aluminum versions that I decided not to use. (too hard to manage for the next few steps.)

6. Here is the most time consuming of the project. With a bench belt/disk sander,
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34951
sand all the rough edges of the strakes until you don’t see any trace marks.
Trace a line lengthwise of the strake. This line will indicate how much you need to sand off to make a near perfect ellipse. Start sanding at about 45 degrees angle for both sides of the strake; just like sharpening a knife. Stop sanding as soon as you reach the middle line, otherwise you will end up with a sharp edge. Repeat the “sharpening knife” sanding with a 30 degree angle, then 15 degrees.

additional pic

another front view

7. With a dremmel type tool start, to reshape the back profile to match the compound angles of the fender. Have a lot of patience.! Make sure that the strakes are horizontal. Once done, determine where you want to attach the strake. See DYI: Installing aluminum strakes for reference. Pre-drill a pilot hole about half inch deep with a 1/8” drill bit and use a #8, 1 1/4 “screw and washer.

8. Once all the strakes were fine tuned for their position, proceed to paint them with a color of your choice. Before paint the strakes, sand them with sanding paper to remove any marks left from the contouring process. Use 150, 400, 800 grid wet and dry sand paper. When done, wash the strakes with dish washer soap to remove any fine dust left behind from the process. Prime and paint the strakes at least two coats. Here is a picture with the strakes installed on the grill

close up

another close up

another in an angle

side view

last one.... enjoy!:D

Dang Romulus, not only did you do a good thing in making your own strakes, but this is one of the best DIY posts I've ever seen!!! WELL DONE!!! :D :D :D

Thanks to you, I will soon be making my own strakes. :D

And I finally gave in last week and ordered them from Rosenthal...sigh...:( I was going to make mine from acrylic plastic that I would have had to do exactly the same thing to. Hmmmm, and I have a lot left over from another project. Maybe I'll make a center strake...if I find time. :D

Very nice DIY thread, looks great!

thanks, I am glad that my instructions are clear to follow. :)
I was worried thinking that I missed a step in the process.

thats awesome. I bet red strakes would look good with red painted calipers

Romulus, they look great!!
Fantastic DIY thread. Now I see u've done it, I think I'll try on my own. Is there a way u can post the cardboard cut? I wanna print that out and use :d wonder if I need to buy that sander though...

jinani4eva,
I did posted my cardboard patterns, is on the first page. Also the reason I included a measuring tape (both English and Metric system) so that when printing, you can adjust the scale to match it.
You don't need to buy a sander or that particular one. I posted that as a refference of a similar power tool that I used in the process. You can use a sanding block and sand the strakes by hand. BUT it will take a looooooooonnnng time to do it.;)

cheers,
romulus

jesus, I think I'll just shell out the money, my metal working skills are nil. At 1st I thought this was a joke and he was going to put the cardboard on his car, but damn, hat is off to you.

My hat too... way off.

A true labor of love.. I just wish some after market clones would come out in red/blue/black/silver/green/tit

Still great job... but I think I'll just work an extra couple hours

I love how money works $$$$ = STUFF :) (no sweat)

fantabulous. . .

Great job. I was thinking I'd want to have either body-color or black strakes anyway. Might as well do it from scratch! Thanks to your great instructions.

Maybe I'll make a set of "Mad Max" strakes too, for halloween :) The side vents are one part that's actually fairly cheap so I could have a set made up ready to swap!

Yeah, true labor of love... I really enjoyed making them. Thank you guys for your complements :) I can't wait to see how they will turn out on your babies....:D

This sure isn't a simple DIY...

I'd rather shell out $150 than go through that process.

Originally posted by pidge1114
This sure isn't a simple DIY...

I'd rather shell out $150 than go through that process.

agree. As an 18 year old, I never had experience and skills with cutting metal or have skills in art. Art was never a talent for me or making shapes. So if i ever tried this, it won't look even come close to yours. GREAT JOB! Mad props.

Yeah, I have to agree with your point as well. Not everyone has the skills or the time to make them. As for my self, I wanted to get the strakes and exhaust finishers but I have to watch my budget ( family first).
I even have the game plan in how to do the exhaust finishers but my wife encouraged me to just get them since I already have saved half of the cost of these items.:)

looks like lots of work- end product is excellent!

Could ya make me some? hehehe

Hat's off to you on this one.

This takes the cake as one of the better DIY's I've seen.

Ramp up production and put me on your customer list? :)

Amen to that. id hop on right after ChuckRX8. Great job!

Sorry guys, I can't mass produce them. I have a regular job and family to take care. There was someone who was persuing this mass production deal, I think was antichristpm but he also gave up the idea for the same reasons. Yeah I could have make extra bucks making them but I pass it this time. That is the reason I posted the steps in making them.

Sweeet! Nice Job Romulus. Unfortunately I, like some of the other RX8'rs don't have the metal working tools/skills and will have to shell out for the kit. That's why yours will always be much more unique.

Hey guys,
Speaking as another of the less talented RX-8 junkees out there. This I think would be a great starter project for some of you single guys (who have more time than us dads) who'd like to get more involved with mods, and save "A LOT" of money. There's gotta be some place where you can clamp a piece of metal to a table, and cut a pattern out and sand it down. Even if you had to sand by hand. If you screw it up your only out a little bit of $$. Don't let a couple of measurements scare you. It really doesn't look all that complex. They look great by the way romulus

Thanks romulus for the instruction...great info. Like you, I like and enjoy making things. I am thinking of making my three pieces and may be a bit longer and will propably paint my in red...to go with the brake calipers.

or you could always find a sl 500 and jack his and just glue them on your 8 :D

or a SL 55 if you could find one on the street. they're actually little longer than ours.......so it'll look meaner

WOW! My hats off to ya. I'm a sculptor so I can appreciate anything crafted by hand. Kudos and a jop well done.

Amazing job, romulus! I'm in awe! [As I flunked the paper handtowel roller holder project in Grade 8 'Manual Training', I think I'd best head over to Canzoomer to avoid 'another fine mess'. Congrats again!

Hey you all....some of you might have missed the part where romulus said that you could just as well use the 6/6 nylon instead of the metal...

I went to TAP plastics and looked through their bin of scrap plastic. They were charging $1.50 per pound for the stuff. Found a small 3/8" sheet...while I was looking through there, a couple of younger kids were looking throught he same bin for something large enough to, "Make my sunroof lighter...to replace the glass 'cause that could save a whole lot of weight!". Whatever.....

They were busy at the store, and I guess did not to take the time to weigh out my small piece...they just gave it to me free and clear! Nice people!

This was a 3/8" sheet of acrylic (plexiglass) that normally seels for about $5.00 per square foot (way more than you will need!).

I took some time to cut the cardboard just right, by "shaving" with an exacto knife time and again until the couts fit perfectly, then drew those onto the plexiglass. Used a jigsaw with a plastic cutting blade ($3.00 at TAP plastics) to cut them out.

I bought a $100 sander from Home Depot that actually had a 6" disc and a much larger convertable (upright/flat) belt sander (4"). That worked very well...and about 30 minutes later I had a set of nicely rounded strakes!

Now I am looking into having someone electroplate/chrome them, or maybe find some nice shiny silver/chrome paint to go with my sunlight silver RX8...Will post pics when I am done!

thanks for the DIY!

I was also thinking that it would cost about $60 to make molds of the real strakes, then you could semi-mass produce these using normal epoxy. Pack the mold with the epoxy, wait until it hardens to rock-like rigidity, then they can be sanded and painted/whatever....not much cost per strake to do it that way...

rendyr,
Don't forget to post some pictures when you are done :D..... oops! you already said that you are going to post some pictures..... By the way, I am not sure if plexiglass can hold paint well.... my guess with the finishing sanding will create a better surface for the paint to stick. You know reall smooth/polished surface= no good for the paint to stick.
One note, I recently attended in our montly local club meeting and there was a another sunlight silver with the OEM strakes parked next to mine. I looked back and foward and I still like my strakes :D I also noticed that the OEMs are not as protruded as mine (specially the upper one).... not as nice sexy curves... ;)

...I was also thinking that it would cost about $60 to make molds of the real strakes, then you could semi-mass produce these using normal epoxy. Pack the mold with the epoxy, wait until it hardens to rock-like rigidity, then they can be sanded and painted/whatever....not much cost per strake to do it that way... SHHHHHHHH You are giving my secret production project away. Besides, it all depends on what resin you use that is best for doing this. ;) I should have my first production run by this weekend. My mold and resin supplies are in by this Wednesday. My strakes are off and sitting ready to be put in the RTV Silicone molding material and 24 hours later, I will cast the first test resin strakes. After that, it's adapting the mounting method to the real thing. :D I figure it will cost less than the cost you quoted for making your own for a set of the finished product in the color choice of the RX-8.

rendyr,
Don't forget to post some pictures when you are done :D..... oops! you already said that you are going to post some pictures..... By the way, I am not sure if plexiglass can hold paint well.... my guess with the finishing sanding will create a better surface for the paint to stick. You know reall smooth/polished surface= no good for the paint to stick.
One note, I recently attended in our montly local club meeting and there was a another sunlight silver with the OEM strakes parked next to mine. I looked back and foward and I still like my strakes :D I also noticed that the OEMs are not as protruded as mine (specially the upper one).... not as nice sexy curves... ;)
Plexiglass (So long as it's hard acrylic material not the safety glass types that you put in windows) holds paint very well so long as you primer coat it first.

Not to give anything away at all!

I actually looked in at the products that TAP plastics had when I went to get some acrylic. They did suggest getting the molding material, and that did seem like a good idea.

It cost around $70 for all the materials to make the molds, and I would have needed the strakes (or something like it) in the first place to make the mold of....

The cost for my materials is about $1.25 for six pieces...that is pretty small, but I would need to hand-make them, so it would not behoove me to make a whole lot of them. What I am planning to do with my design is make a few different types of strakes for different seasons, and put them on my car...some Christmas tree ones for the Christmas season, orange "scary" ones for Halloween, etc...

Hope your mold-idea works out...everyone benefits from not having to pay over $200 for those silly little things...

Yeah, I got the molding and casting material coming tomorrow from Tap's online order place since we have absolutely NOTHING like that here in the middle of BFU. :D I think with shipping it came to around just that. I bought my acrylic for other projcects from a glass supply company. Once again, no place to buy that stuff anywhere around here from a store that specializes in these types of materials. Although I only paid a little over $25 for a 4' X 4' piece of acrylic. Yes, that is 4 ft. by 4 ft.

I am hoping that there will be interest in these after I get some made. At least these should be affordable, I know I hated buying them for the $195 I got them for. That is almost highway robery. :D

a buddy of mine used to have to order custom pieces to make "water pipes." I think the front accent look will be fantastic and you will retire by the end of August. I think Polak just did (retire)...and he's only around 8-teen years old!!!

LOL Yeah, well we will see about retiring. :D

Attached are the images of the ones I just finished making. I tried many different ways of making them chrome/polished aluminum colored, but none worked out. There is good chrome spray paint, but when you try to seal it, the chrome turns to a dull grey.

So, I decided to use some "color changing paint" I purchased in the local auto-parts store (Mirage Ice color). I think the strakes look great as a dark grey on my Sunlight Silver RX8, and they sparkle in the light as well...see attached pics...

rendyr,
Wow, looks really sharp!. I want to see how it looks in your 8.... Anyway, I was just wondering if you bought the sander just for this project. I know...., you will use it for other projects.....
Anyway, I am glad that you were able to follow my DYI. It was not that hard to do it, right?? :)

I like that color! Looks pretty sharp. Great job of doing those. Great job of this DIY by romulus, kudos to the both of you.

Question? How are you going to mount them? Have you drilled the holes in the back of them and are you mounting them the way that the stock strakes are mounted? Will you also use the 3M tape to help support the sides that attach to the car? Make sure that if you do drill a hole in them, the hole is at the right angle for the grille and that if you plan to use a screw, use a brass screw to keep from cracking the plastic. The brass screw is soft metal and lessens the chances of cracking it. This is what they use to build the clear sided computer cases.

Just curious. I have thought of couple of ways for mounting home made ones and am checking on other methods. I was thinking aboutr using one of those plastic plugs that you use in drywall and wood but cutting off the small top ring part that keeps it from slipping down in the pilot hole and using a stainless screw to attach it with along with the 3M trim tape.

Yep, that gray shade looks like gun-metal, I like the color in the third picture. I am not a really fan of color changing, perhaps I have to see it personally in order to appreciate it. Anyway, I really like the shape of the hand made strakes compared with the OEM…nice curves! :D
I attached my strakes using the stock position, I think. I used two opening above the solid part of the opening. I also drilled the pilot holes perpendicular of the strakes. Since I used #8 screws (zinc plated, screwed just tight enough), their diameter is small enough to allow any drilling error. Before I drilled the pilot hole I put the vent back and put my strake against to mark where to drill by selecting the appropriate vent opening (not too far forward or back).
I also used double side black tape. I didn’t use 3M…just a generic one since I didn’t wanted to stick permanently in case I need to remove the vent. The way I did it, is to attach the strakes in to the vent first, aligning it with the vent’s horizontal lines. Then I removed the tape’s backing. Once the vent is positioned close to the fender about quarter inch away I pushed in by holding the strakes. That way the strakes will be secured in the right position. So far my strakes are holding, even during car wash.

Yeah I bought the sander just for this....but I am sure that it will come in handy in other places as well!

I drilled the holes by" putting them up against the grills, and marking where the holes should go, based on the procedures in the install guide for the real strakes....basically, the second hole up in the middle, above the inner crossbar on the back side of the plastic piece.

My power drill has a little levelling bubble inside, so I know that I am drilling level to the ground, then I just eyeballed the 90 degree angle tot he strake itself.

When the strakes are not int he light, they look gunmetal incolor, with some "roughness" to the pattern, just like the sunlight silver on my rx8. When in the sun, the sparkle effect is not too pronounced...just enough to make them look just as sparkly as the paint, but in a more colorful way...

attached are pictures of the install.....

Two thumbs Up! :D Since you got them installed, know I like the paint with or without direct sun shining on them :)
Yep, I had couple of small "roughtness" as well but not a big deal. By the way, did you used my patterns? they look simmilar as mine... not that I mind since I posted them....jub curious.... kudos...!

Absolutely used the pattern you posted! It was the picture with the rulers that really helped me out. I could not find anyone I knew at the time that had the strakes for me to measure, so your post was a great help!

I actually used some stuff I got at Office Depot to help attach them to the car, instead of using tape. I got some "Sticky Wax" which is basically just what it says...it is this waxy stuff that has tack to it, and worked well with attaching the strakes to the body of the car. Since it does not use adhesive, I thought that would be better than tape, which might hurt the paint. This stuff is just like getting some sap or, well, wax on your car...it removes with either some alcohol, or a little lighter fluid..

As I said before, the color is rather muted...it is just enough to catch the attention of someone for a moment...right before they see my tail-lights diminishing into the distance while they stay motionless, dumbfounded at my coolness!

Looking pretty nice! :D

Those look prety sharp.
I was thinking. I'm not sure how good it would look, or how well it would go over with others. What if you were able to take the clear strakes and bore a little hole in them for a bulb and wire it to your blinkers? Or hook them up to the door sensor? I've read about several people who wanted those bulbs under their side mirrors like the aussies, this could be an alternative.

I was actually thinking of that as well....I have some fiber optic cables I got off of a $5 kids toy...holes could easily be drilled, and the cables inserted intothem leading to something attahced to the turn signals, etc...

YJou could even get fancy, and put whatever color you wanted into those...or keep them in an unfinished state, but sanded, so you get a nice frosted-glass effect when they light up....

That sounds interesting….Strakes that function as a blinkers or as a courtesy light when you unlock and open you door. ..hmm…right now I can picture an 8 making a turn with those strakes blinking… and at night when you unlock your car in a low light area your strakes starting to glow… Yes indeed, it will look good… however, I am not sure too much about the blinkers… it might look a bit ricer (too many ricers have those aftermarket ones) but again it might look really unique. Ok back to reality, from what I can think, it is really possible in making them by using the same acrylic material like rendyr and D MENAC 7 (fog light strakes) are using. The only catch that I can think off is that after the sanding process the strakes has to be really polished (see rendyr unpainted strakes) otherwise will look grayish. My guess is that it has to be something in between. Smooth enough to get rid of the rough marks, but not so polished that the light won’t reflect around the strakes. As for source of light… I think some LED will do the job (note: LED in the turn signals may cause your signals to blink fast = ricer).
Anyway, hopefully I am making sense… If I am wrong, please correct me..

Yes, they would have to be very polished to do this. Also, to reflect enough light, they have to have 90 degree walls somewhere, this is where the light is bounced back and reflected throughout the piece. I am trying to remember what the inside of the holes look like on some computer fan screens that have leds embeded in them that I have. I just checked and found both variations which means that if they work with unsanded non smooth indentations, then why bother sanding? :D

I was planning on experimenting with the front strakes like this. I was thinking about putting two LEDs per side and seeing what clear ones look like lit up at night. I presently use amber LEDs in my clear side markers. I also have LEDs in my rear tail light / brake light lamps. Of course, they do not blink except when the brake light comes on and they just get brighter. So, I cannot say whether they would effect the turnsignals blinking speed or not. Perhaps if all the turn signal lamps were changed out to LED replacements, that would correct it if it did.

I checked my tracking info on my TAP mold delivery and it doesn't come in until tomorrow. :( So, hopefully by this weekend...fist set of resin cast strakes. :D

very nice, think about making a buisness, id pay 50 bucks for some of those, Im serious

oh im so making myself a set of strakes... ive been wanting some since i got my car... but im sure as he** not paying $200 for a set... bump that...
unfortunately im going to have to wait till i get home from Iraq in june to do it... ohrah

http://rx8strakes.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=18