Well, last night I made my first mold. I used the Upper Right side strake as my first relica piece. Here is the picture of the mold it's self.

The second picture is is of the first casted polyurethane strake being removed from the mole.

The third picture is of the first casted polyurethane side strake with the original aluminum model.

The fourth picture is of the original aluminum, a first coated silver polyurethane cast version and an unpainted polyurethane cast version.

These are identical to the originals and will be mounted the exact same way and will be offered in a variety of colors including custom colors. This material is not glass hard, it is indeed polyurethane. I am also going to cast a couple of other materials such as Polyester Resin and I might also attempt a CF strake set.

These will be made affordable for those who have resisted purchasing the strakes for as much as $195 - $210. This is only the first accessory I will be attempting to cast and mass produce. The next item starts next week and will be the front fog light strakes and soon afterward, the oil cooler grilles to accompany them.

I promise this will happen. I will produce these and offer them to our forum members for a reduced cost. They say membership has it's priviledges, this I believe in for our RX8CLUB.com forum. :D

I am taking suggestions as to what colors to offer these in. Anyone interested in some input here, speak up now. :D

make them in gunmetal (or some sort of shiny dark-gray) to match my future wheels..my check will be in the mail. definately keep me(us) posted!

I'd like to see white, but definitely some sort of aluminum metal colour for those of us that like the look of the aluminum ones.

If you don't mind, look into a reproduction of the rotary accents, please. I'd like a set, but the alu prices are excessive. Thanks.

As far as white goes, that is the color this material comes out as when it is done. However, it is a flat white but with a few clear coats over the top of it they would look marvelous.

I have been thinking about the rotary accents and what would be involved. The most difficult thing with them is it would be a two part mold but this could be done. I am also thinking about eyelids, a front billet grill, different side vents and a few other things. Once again, it all depends on having time to get these done. I do have two sons who are 15 and 17 that I can employ (for a slave wage to start :D) to help me in this. Eventually I will need to find supplies in larger quantities that will be less than retail such as the 3M foam tape for installing certain parts, more permanent molds than silicon and larger quantities of casting materials.

If some of these things take off big, I will have to take some time off of work, figure out some marketing stratetgy and become a vendor on here so I can peddle my goods in public.

First things first, I need time to make the molds and designs that I have already planned and put on paper.

First of all are these strakes still put on with screws and tape or just tape. Because i would like to still have that screw for added security.
And as far as colors go I think you should do all of mazdas colours. Including a gun metal and a white remeber keep it tastefull....
Sounds like u got urself a good thing going Just don't let mazda see what your doing; they might get pissed. And those fender strakes and oil cooler strakes you should offer those in all of mazdas stock colours and white and gun metal so you can have a theme going on dont forget rear bumper strakes. Good luck hope you take to some of my suggestions.

Ps for stock cars we have very different cars almos no 1's is the same

First of all are these strakes still put on with screws and tape or just tape.

D Menac said, "These are identical to the originals and will be mounted the exact same way and will be offered in a variety of colors including custom colors. "

So if im correct, it uses glue and a screw. correct me if im wrong. dont have strakes.

But im interested, looks good. im fine with black or the polished silver. Keep it the good work.

Well, last night I made my first mold. I used the Upper Right side strake as my first relica piece. Here is the picture of the mold it's self.

The second picture is is of the first casted polyurethane strake being removed from the mole.

The third picture is of the first casted polyurethane side strake with the original aluminum model.

The fourth picture is of the original aluminum, a first coated silver polyurethane cast version and an unpainted polyurethane cast version.

You Are MY HERO. I was waiting for somebody to come out with teh side strakes. If you need any help im a marketing major.

You can email me at Bluerx804@aol.com

I'll buy if the price is right. I vote for velocity red as an option.

Also, if someone can find me a nice closeup shot of a velocity red car with the OEM silver side strakes on, I can photoshop them to be red so people can get an idea of what that would look like.

What up D? As soon as I get back from the Desert I will definitely want to get a set! Can't wait to see what color options you come up with! From the looks of your first set I don't think you'll have any problems selling these!

SIGN ME UP!

To cap things so far:

They will attach with a mounting bolt which is tapped into the back of the strake just like the stock. I will also include the 3M mounting double sided foam tape just as the stock strapes have. The instructions are already on a DIY thread on here though they are much easier to put on than that one shows. I will post a shorter version of how to install them when it comes time.

Colors? I know that there will be black, gun metal, Velocity Red (I already have the paint), white and I just casted a clear strake last night as a test. I am thinking about most likely there will be all the colors of the 8 and then some.

Cost wise, these will be very affordable and I am thinking the unpainted version ought to sell for a price that rhymes with nifty but until I can get the revenue going for vendor status I will not be able to post an actual price. Dare I say 25% of the aluminum strakes and 5% more for most finished colors? (do the math)

I'm finding that the most labor in this so far is sanding and preparing for painting. Each one will be hand sanded to remove the center spline from the mold and then the final rear angle will be sanded to match the mounting side of the car.

I will post another pic or two later, one of them will be painted Velocity Red as I am painting a center wheel cap for another member today.

well i see whos your baba stayed up later then I lol. Sounds like a plan
I spill this beer for my homies aka dmanac

Here are few shots comparing the original aluminum with one of the polyurethane strakes I casted last night that is now painted Velocity Red. I have included the mounting hardware that I intend to supply with each strake. The bolt is threaded into the polyurethane strake and has a washer and lock washer. This hardware is stainless steel as is the original.

Here is how it looks mounted on my RX-8. :D Ignore the guy in the reflection. ;)

looks slick. good job.

i like the aluminum ones
but different colors are good,

I like!!! Me want, me want!! I like the VR, I did not think I would but havin seen the pics, I am sold! If you will have these ready to ship in Sep wen I return from this little place I like to call "HE$$-HOLE" then you will make my day!

I vote for yellow, chrome would be cool too but considering the material it probably would look funky

The strakes look great, can't wait to see what the fog light/oil cooler opening strakes look like. Were you thinking of one or two strakes there? I would like to see two, spaced like the head light ones.

Let me put this out to you, definately the colors of the RX-8 will be available:
Velocity Red
Winning Blue
Titanium Gray
Sunlight Silver
Nordic Green
Black
Yellow
White ('05)

After that the additional colors that I have decided on will be:
Gun Metal Gray
Chrome (Provided I can find a place that will chrome plate a plastic)
Color Changing (Chameleon)
Carbon Fiber
Unpainted
Clear
Clear with LEDs (yellow, white, red and blue for those of you who lean towards the ricey side :D J/K)

Aftter those, everything else will be custom unless someone else suggests another color.

Some of these will be a bit more expensive due to the extra work and expenses involved in manufacturing. However, I cannot imagine any of these processes costing more than 50% of the stock strakes even with all the whistles and bells added. In most instances, it should be about 25% of the aluminum Mazda versions.

sweet, the more i think about it the more i like the chrome idea since I'm keeping my emblems, i wonder if there is a pseudo bullet proof way to keep the plastic from chipping. The Mazda colors would rock too as they would look oem once installed etc. Either way I can't wait to see a few of these floating around the forums, bet they will look sweet, any though on altering the design any? I was thinking since the 8 looks kinda' like a spaceship, maybe small circular holes or something? Maybe make them look like they have a sharper edge to them? Not sure how it would look, just though I'd throw something out there. Good luck:)

looks awesome.. chrome strakes would be nice!

i also like agree with the rotor accents that would be great if u cud make those..

good job :) just be aware that someone might want a set unfinished... just straight out from the mold because he/she already have the equipment to do it.. Again, looking good! :D

sweet, the more i think about it the more i like the chrome idea since I'm keeping my emblems, i wonder if there is a pseudo bullet proof way to keep the plastic from chipping. The Mazda colors would rock too as they would look oem once installed etc. Either way I can't wait to see a few of these floating around the forums, bet they will look sweet, any though on altering the design any? I was thinking since the 8 looks kinda' like a spaceship, maybe small circular holes or something? Maybe make them look like they have a sharper edge to them? Not sure how it would look, just though I'd throw something out there. Good luck:)
Do you have photo shop? If you don't have that perhaps another pic editing software would work also. Give me an idea, nothing is truly impossible.

This material will not chip, it is not brittle in any way. Of course, paint can chip, we know that by looking at our own cars. I'm looking at ways to make them look like the original polished aluminum and have some testing to do. Meanwhile, it's on to the designing of oil cooler screens that will go along with the front fog light strakes that I am in the midst of producing.

I'll try and find something to better illustrate my idea, be back soon.

Ok so I can't find my cd for photoshop so i cheesed it with paint, here's what i was thinking, maybe even rotor shaped cutouts? Not a very good pic but you get the idea. If you look at the front fender on the I,Robot bike from OCC you can kinda' see what i was thinking as well. My thanks to whoever these strakes belong to for letting me virtually butcher them with my idea :)

i might know someone that can crome plastic
or so i was told. when i was thinking of painting my engine cover this shop told me
that they can even crome plastic.
let me know.im intrested in that

Maybe a buyer email list should be started so that you can email us when they are ready for sale.

I've been keeping track of the interested members and am planning on contacting everyone of you when something comes available. It looks like a week before the basic comes available at this time.

Kelly, yes, I would be interested in finding a place for chroming these.

CanaryRX8, I was thinking something like that but with a bit more tooling. I'll see what I can come up with eventually.

here ya go
USA WHEELS
973-227-7977 voice
800-513-1399 toll free
ask for jeff aka"big dog"
you can tell him i sent ya but i havent seen him in a while and dont know if he remebers me but then again how many people have a silver rx8 with 20" crome maido wheels that there girlfiend hit a curb that he fixed. :)

Cool D, I'll keep an eye out and good luck!

Thanks Kel. BTW, you going to send me the tracing of your MS spoiler hardware? Just wondering. :D

yeah bro
i did one side already
ahh what the hell i will send just that
its a good sketch IMO lol
let me know when you get it

Sweet! I have been holding out waiting for someone to make these.

I'm interested, keep me informed. Thanks.

yeah bro
i did one side already
ahh what the hell i will send just that
its a good sketch IMO lol
let me know when you get it
I only need one side in this case, both mounts are identical except they mirror each other. When using a CAd this is easy to mirror.

I am still trying to figure out how to model something and do a physical mirror image of it. I know there is a way, I just have to think about it a little bit.

I'm interested, keep me informed. Thanks.You are on my list. :D

D MENAC 7, are you in the plastics industry? I was just wondering because I saw that you made the strakes yourself, you usually see people making stuff out of fiberglass, not molding polyurethane. How did you make your mold and what of? I would enjoy more indepth detail on how you made the strakes? Thanks. :)Im am currently going to school for plastics and polymers engineering technology.

Briefly, the mold is made from RTV Silicone and is cast off the original aluminum strake. This material will capture every detail in the original though it doesn't last forever, it will eventually have to be discarded and replaced. Next I used a quick cast polyurethane that hardens in about 8 -10 minutes until demold time. This material is a clear yellow and is mixed in a 1:1 ratio with the activator catalyst. Within about 2 minutes it turns white and the chemical reaction causes the material to get very warm as it is going through it's hardening process. It comes out white as noted in the pics.

There is some sanding required to prepare the surface for painting. I finish off the sanding process with 1500 grit wet application sandpaper. They need to be primered then the base coat goes on. Velocity Red has a mid coat which contains the metal flake so that needs to be applied. After the mid coat three coats of clear coat and finally, I use the 1500 grit sanding process again and follow that up with rubbing compound.

I am also going to be testing some fiberglass resins and will eventually attempt Carbon Fiber lay up. The CF is labor intensive. These polyester resins are also very odiferous and need to be used outside or in a controled environment with a hood.

As far as being in the plastics industry, no, I am just learning this as I go along. I'm a quick study and am good with my hands as I have had some experience working with acrylic plastics and woods. Both of these materials tool similarly. I make a model of the mockup out of acrylic plastic first then make a final working model before I cast a mold. I'm also the curious type as to wondering how this works or that can be done.

This casting polyurethane is ideal for working with small parts and it can also be tooled. The tests that I have made actually allow for threading this material as it is not brittle and hard like acrylic plastic. Some of the items I have planned will be from original parts but will be modified to the extent that it has changed in appearance but will mount the same way.

Also, I have found a perfect solution to making these have the same surface as the stock aluminum. There is a high density chrome and aluminum look paint available, though it is expensive ($200+ a quart) but a little will go a long way, so they say. This paint has to go on in a three step process where as you start with black then use the chrome paint over this layer with two coats and finally it is clear coated to protect the final finish. Best part is, I can use my air brush to do this. Things are coming together. :D

Well done D!!

Nice to see people that love their cars helping others that love their cars! I know I'm on your list for a bunch of these. I think chrome is the way to go...I like a lot of folks here am not removing the chrome logos from the car. I love the fog light billets/strakes (can't remember what you called them) Also, besides those and the strakes I'm definitely wanting those eyelids!

Thanks again and keep up the great work!! Hmm, you may just have a gold mine on your hands!! ;-)

Hey, since i'm in Illinois too.. i could test 'em out for ya! ;) if not, sign me up! I want some!

I want to see how LED, clear, gun matel, and carbon fiber look. please post some pic, money ready anytime.

Dennis -

This looks great. I really like the oil cooler strakes. Put me on your list for gun metal.

- Tony

sign me up too. this is si exciting.

Rotery Emblemb like the wheel centers. I want 2 of them that i can put on the car..

Only two???

count me in for some strakes andioil coolers .keep up the good work

Very good job!
I don’t think the LEDs will be a problem, just add before the pour. If you want to get the carbon fiber look you may want to try some carbon fiber vinyl first it may be the easiest way to create with the polyurethane strakes.

I love the idea. Put me on the list. Great job D.

Very good job!
I don’t think the LEDs will be a problem, just add before the pour. If you want to get the carbon fiber look you may want to try some carbon fiber vinyl first it may be the easiest way to create with the polyurethane strakes. Actually the LEDs are easier to put in before the cast with a drill. I have one I tried but it wasn't a good cast because it has taken a long time to cure properly but I did drill it and put an LED in it for a test. It looke rather nice. I'll attempt another one soon. Right now just waiting on molding supplies that hopefully will be here by the end of the week or beginning of next week. I am hoping to show something by next weekend of the first finished set. The CF will need to be standard CF lay up where it is put down with a layer on the outside and then the CF material followed by the remaining resin casting. If I am going to do that and have to charge as such, I want to do it right.

Though not every choice will be available from the very first run, I hope to progress quickly to other options.

I'm keeping track of everyone.

hehe only 2 :( ...


ohh tell me more about the oil coolers ?
are you makeing a mesh for them?? i am confused

So far I am planning on a frame that attaches in the same way the auto RX-8s cover attaches. They made these front ends symetrical in that the same mounting attachements for the right hand side of the oil cooler area is also on the left side. The automatic RX-8 only has one oil cooler so the other side there is a cover. There are a coupld of screw stansions there that this cover mounts to. As I am designing the frame, it will use these same mounting holes.

Below are three pictures. The first pic is from the oil cooler screen DIY thread showing how this member attached his screening to this area. The second pic is what I have designed but does not take into account the way I will have to attach this to the rear of the bumper cover. The last is from the maintenance manual and shows the fog light cover, as they call it, and how to install and remove this piece. This is the piece that will allow me to design how the screen frame will mount.

As far as the material, I lean towards aluminum mesh since it is light strong and can be obtained in bright aluminum or painted trim black.

Did a test on a clear one tonight with a blue and a white LED inserted. These photos cannot do it justice as light is one of the most difficult things to photograph. To keep it from being too intense, I used the spot meter function on my camera but in doing so, it also lessens the actual light being reflected in the nether regions of the clear strake.

Here is the blue from the top, blue from the side and white from the top.

that's damn cool

Hi D, any chance you could finalize the normal aluminium color strakes by end of September? I wanna get my sister who is studying in the us to buy it from you and carry it back home when she returns this september... I live outside the US you see, its such a hassle with payment and delivery.

Hey are u going to have the basic aluminum color? Put me on the list if the price is right for these strakes. I love how the clear ones look with the lights. Great job.

Hi D, any chance you could finalize the normal aluminium color strakes by end of September? I wanna get my sister who is studying in the us to buy it from you and carry it back home when she returns this september... I live outside the US you see, its such a hassle with payment and delivery.


Hey are u going to have the basic aluminum color? Put me on the list if the price is right for these strakes. I love how the clear ones look with the lights. Great job.
Aluminum is one of the first choices I am going to try to make. I am waiting mold and resin supplies. One of the resin supplies I have ordered is made up of 50% aluminum powder and the manufacturer claims they will polish up like aluminum. This I will test next week as soon as it comes in. I have found a very bright chrome paint that is pretty nice looking and I did find a true chrome paint that looks the most promissing. The later is $150 for 8 ozs of paint though. However, I could see the guy who was painting it reflection in the painting process. Now that is really good paint.

Very nice work I love the leds. If possible can you paint the front of the strike (over the led) to see what it looks like so the light is reflected to the back.

Thanks,
-Ron

Very nice work I love the leds. If possible can you paint the front of the strike (over the led) to see what it looks like so the light is reflected to the back.

Thanks,
-Ron
Thanks for the idea, I think I will gie that a try, maybe fade it back past the LED with a chrome paint. Also, I might think of a design that can be made by drilling very small holes in from the rear. A succession of these holes can form a design of some sorts. These holes will capture the light very well. We will see what I can come up with. I know there was a request for something rather "space ship like" in this thread already and this might suffice the demand. Keep tuned in.

I think painting the led and leave a thin strip unpainted on the top of it would look cool.

you are doing great work :)


What do you do for a living ?

great work, please put me on the list

sweet stuff. I'm interested as well.

I'm definately interested in the oil cooler strakes / mesh.

I already have strakes but the LED style really looks cool. My only
concern is that anyone with the blue lights will probably get into
trouble with the law heh. Is it possible to tie them into the turn
signal and have an amber light in them? Just a thought

amber led=one heckuva cool looking sidemarker! Any more thoughts about trying to incorporate a rotary symbol somehow, perhaps these items are too small to do that tastefully but it might still make a cool option

Short description: A/V Technician. Long version, anything related to Instructional technologies for classrooms, conferences and entertainment. I work at a State University. Been here for 22+ years. Making this stuff will be during my evenings and weekends and I plan to employ my sons to help. (They get slave labor wages to start :D)

you are doing great work :)


What do you do for a living ?

I'm definately interested in the oil cooler strakes / mesh.

I already have strakes but the LED style really looks cool. My only
concern is that anyone with the blue lights will probably get into
trouble with the law heh. Is it possible to tie them into the turn
signal and have an amber light in them? Just a thought

Anything is possible. However, with LEDs and incadescent turn signals, a balancing resistance mechanism would have to be in line at some point. I know that Autoilumination has them so that you can use the 7440 LED lamps they have in the turn signal rear and front.

amber led=one heckuva cool looking sidemarker! Any more thoughts about trying to incorporate a rotary symbol somehow, perhaps these items are too small to do that tastefully but it might still make a cool option
Possibly but it gets more compicated to design. Like you said, very small and might not be noticeable.

However, I am at some point going to try front and rear rotary accents.

Cool.. I am a I.A.T.S.E Stagehand/ AV tech/ Set Carpenter/Lighting Designer/ Videographer .:)


I own Creative Productions in Santa Barbara .. Small world...

Hey D.. Add me too please..
I love to get me some of those strakes..
you got a good thing going here.. :D

I'm definately interested in the oil cooler strakes / mesh. The pics on your car of the fog strakes looks sweet!

I Want It In Gun Metal Polished Finish!!!!!!!!!asap!!!!!

I hope to be making these available in about a week and a half. Still waiting for mold making supplies.

Though I have found some chrome paint that looks nice, I am still working on that. I have ordered some casting resin that is 50% aluminum and it is supposed to polish up like aluminum. As this all comes together, I will get hold of everyone

Hey Dennis, something of note: When you buy your LEDs for the clear ones (which look VERY cool, BTW!), be sure you buy good quality LEDs. I've had a cheap one burn out before (in relatively short order) and it shorted out the electrical system where it was tied in.

I want the strakes, you are doing a great job keep up teh good work.

Hey Dennis, something of note: When you buy your LEDs for the clear ones (which look VERY cool, BTW!), be sure you buy good quality LEDs. I've had a cheap one burn out before (in relatively short order) and it shorted out the electrical system where it was tied in.Yeah, I have noted that too. The ones I have been getting are made for 12V systems specifically for automobiles. When I get to making the LED strakes, I will look into someplace that I can get them in quantity and quality. I like the hyper LEDs that are available. The photos do not do them justice as I said earlier, it is harder than hell to photograph light.

Also, it depends on the way these will mount, what styles can be offered. I was thinking about seeing if they could be mounted in a way to force the light downwards so that they act as sort of a courtesy light, so to speak. If they are silvered on top but clear on the bottom, this silver coat will act like a mirror and force the light downward. I have a bit of experimenting to do with the lighting capability.

On a side note, I ordered two extra side vent grilles and a fog light cover from Rosenthal the other day so that I can continue on with designs in mind.

I am interested. Please keep me in mind when you have the details worked out.

i would be interested on the Brush Aluminium looks Fender strakes :)

Also, it depends on the way these will mount, what styles can be offered. I was thinking about seeing if they could be mounted in a way to force the light downwards so that they act as sort of a courtesy light, so to speak. If they are silvered on top but clear on the bottom, this silver coat will act like a mirror and force the light downward. I have a bit of experimenting to do with the lighting capability.

Maybe put on a good layer of chrome paint underneath silver. Might reflect better.

OK, here is the update. I will finally be getting my molding supplies this Thursday. So that means I will be casting a bunch of sets of strakes this weekend. Most likely what will be first available will be Velocity Red, Gun Metal Gray, Black, White and maybe aluminum, depending on how this one resin I received today casts and can be polished to look like aluminum as they claim. I am enclosing a pic of the Velocity Red strakes I have temporarily placed on my RX-8. I just used the double sided 3M trim tape to slap them on and I noticed in the pics they aren't straight and the bottom is not at the exact angle or placement on the grille. This is just a little teaser. Please excuse the not so good photos as it was getting dark and my camera battery wasn't fully charged. The first pic is with the flash, the second and third are not and are grainy and a bit dark.

I will also be making molds for the first front fog light accent strakes. These will be available soon, too. My next project after getting this going will be the oil cooler grilles. These will also be available as an integrated package deal with the front accent strakes if desired. This grille will, unfortunately, require the removal of the front of the car. However, it will utilize existing mounting methods and I am enclosing a mock up pic below.

Im definitely in for some aluminum strakes that resemble the originals.

Damn, I wish I had talent like that!

OK, I got a wild idea here. I might offer something like this as an option though it will cost a little bit more (a few bucks). How about a designer strake? I don't know where I get these ideas but they just happen. Here is a pic of something I was thinking.

I also want to acknowledge the ideas of possible making some different shaped too. The flame idea was pretty good. and possible a few others. The ideas are limitless but the time is limited but if I have some on my hands...

In addition, I did test some new resin that has 50% aluminum content I mentioned before. Well, to say the least, this stuff has some great qualities. I did not make a pour into the mold but opened it up to stir with stiring sticks. I need to get this stuff agitated for a while since the containers has a lot of the aluminum powder (more like a paste in this form) on the bottom of the can and I couldn't mix it thoroughly with the stiring stick. Anyway, what I did do with it was take both stiring sticks and mix the residue on them together and waited for a while for it to harden. A couple hours later I sanded the stick that had the thickest mix on it and took it down to a very smooth surface. Next I used rubbing compound and lastly I buffed it with a pad on the dremel tool. It is very metalic and shiny, I cannot wait until I actually pour a strake tomorrow night as a test. I will post pics of it when I get it ready.

So, on with the designer strake pic. This is just an idea but I can imaging what it would look like on my VR RX-8. :D

I think that custom paint is a great idea. The one you did looks awesome.

I just had an idea for a custom design/shape, also. Basically, it would be the same as the stock side strake (maybe a little wider), but have a deep groove that slowly blends into the strake by the end. My idea, specifically, would be to do it in clear, then paint all of it , except the flat front of the groove, them mount an LED inside of it. It would put light out the back down the groove.

Anyway, just getting creative. I also wonder what a longer strake would look like.

Yeah, I see what you mean, that would look pretty awsome. That would lookl nice, especially at night. Also, it could be left smooth but not clear and that way that area would light up just the groove. Looks like I have a few things to look at when I get time. :)

darnit i can't decide if i want the red strakes or the silver ones. I'd have to see pictures of the red strakes in the daytime with better quality, but they look promising!

Those look great, Dennis! You da man!

I'll order a set, but will have to consult with my daughter as to what color would look best on the silver.... :)

Where the red is you paint silver and where the silver is you leave clear and have an LED in it. I think that would look awesome.

Dennis,
Wow!, its amazing what you can do with some resin and a mold!. Good job! :)

Hey what's goin on everyone, I'm new here and I posted an introduction in the lounge if anyone cares to read it. Anyway, those strakes are beautiful D MENAC! I'm definitely gonna buy some aluminum-lookin ones in a couple of weeks. Keep up the good work man.

I would certainly like to get a set, but would prefer 3 on each side...you might have already answered that but I missed it.

I would certainly like to get a set, but would prefer 3 on each side...you might have already answered that but I missed it. The three version will have to come later once I get the standard version going. For the three, I will need to take a couple of blank strakes and redesign the angles a bit so they will fit. The upper and lower will have to be moved an inch or so up and the middle will have to be a combo of the two. Thoes damn angles change as you go either direction from the original place but that is not too hard to fix, eventually.

WOW great job!! Please add me to your list as I would like some silver/alum ones, thanks!!

Looks great! Add 2 sets - red - for me.

I didn't know you were eventually going to offer 3 strakes, I think that's a great idea. I saw some pics of it in another thread and it looked sweet. When you're ready to sell the three version I will order some aluminum ones.

Update on aluminum finish. This is a test cast of the resin that is made with 50% aluminum powder. It comes out of the mold gray but after some sanding with 100 grit, 220 grit and then 1500 grit, the finish turns to a nice bright aluminum. Here are a series of pics. that I took of the original and the resin, side by side. Note the detail of the resin cast strake in the picture of the bottom side of the strake. The round symbol designates this strake as the upper right strake. This strake is totally unpainted, it has just been sanded and polished a bit, I have not taken it out to the buffer yet.

If all goes as planned, I will receive the mold material tomorrow and proceed to start the actual production of these, and some others, on Friday and through the weekend. I should be contacting some of you by mid next week. :D

please keep me informed about the aluminum strakes pleez!!

count me in for the aluminum strakes
thanks,
Scott

3 Side strakes a-la crossfire.....

S

Which is the resin cast strake? I'm cornfused! If it is the shinier of the two you have outdone yourself and I know that is what I would like if the price is right, because I know the materials for this one was quite costly if I remember correctly.

Outstanding job Dennis!

Yeah, now I see it it looks like Ass....
but you get the idea.... longer strakes that reach the door edge.

S

The cast of all four side strakes for the mold has been set. Tomorrow night, errr tonight I wll be taking the set of original aluminum strakes out of the molds to ready them for the first complete set of polyurethane/Aluminum side strakes. I will make several sets in one series as it takes about 10 minutes before I can take them from the mold. After that, I have to wait for 24 hours before continuing to finish them. The finish part is the longest as I have to sand each of them by hand through a process of 220 grit, 1500 grit and finally rubbing compound until I get the surface smooth enough to buff. After buffing, I will need to clear coat them. This will take another 24 hours. After they are clear coated, I will drill the tap hole and install the bolt, washer and lock washer to tap the threads. Then it will get the 3M double sided foam trim tape on the ends and by Sunday, I will be posting pics of the first run with a set installed on my RX-8 so that everyone can see what these look like installed. I plan on making a couple of colors this weekend, in addition. Gun Metal Gray and Velocity Red are the two non aluminum finish that will be available and also installed for picture purposes. Black and white are next in line. After that, the remaining colors of the RX-8 and then it will be on to other designs afterwards. I will attempt to take a set and make the three strakes your out (3 per side) design with a set and a half of these.

The polyurethane/aluminum side strake in the pictures above is the one on the left. If I had to describe them to you I would say it is a little bit darker than the original, a little bit less reflective but if you saw them side by side on an RX-8, you would be hard pressed to say which one is which. It's more closer to the brushed aluminum but a bit more shiny than that. Sort of a dark aluminum but only by a shade. The photos I will take will show in detail and will be taken during the daytime, hopefully it won't be raining when I am able to take the pics.

For those who know about the fog light accent strakes, I did cast the mold of one of the newest prototypes tonight and am continuing on with that adventure hoping to be only a week at most away for the first production. Also, I am going to work on the frame for the oil cooler screens this weekend. I got the part for the right oil cooler cover ready and am going to make the mounting design prototype. I have developed a way to mold the frames effectively. This is all time consuming and I thank everyone for being patient. :)

I am in for either the aluminum or the Velocity Red and the Fog Light Strakes. Glad to see your having such sucess so far. Looks like a potential money making operation. Good Luck!

very interested in the aluminum ones

I am very interested in the fog light ones!!
They look awsome!!
great job!! :)

First mold run has been cast and removed. I will be working on finishing these first thing in the morning.

An interesting observation: I had to make a second mold of one of these because the original strake stuck to the mold which is highly unusual. I decided to sand on the surface to clean any impurities off using 1500 gritt sand paper as I have done this with two others when I scratched them while creating the mold, accidentaly. These are the ORIGINAL Mazda aluminum strakes, mind you. Unlike the other two this one seemed to be covered with something, almost like it was clear coated at some point. The other three were not because when I sanded on the final one, and the two before, it didn't do anything like this one did. I cast another mold of it immediately and it is just fine.

I did get a near perfect duplication of the finish after I used rubbing compound on the first test. I still have to buff one of these to see how much further I can finish this aluminum/resin compound. After the rubbing compound, I could actually see reflection when it was sitting close to an object. This is with absolutely no paint applied, mind you. I took it out afterwards and applied some clear coat. One of the other "chrome" paints I tried before that you can purchase at an auto store in a spray can looked great until you put clear coat on it. It was really weird in that it disolved part of the chrome paint and turned some of it dark. I tried that on one of the original fog light strake pieces I had laying around. On this one, it had absolutely no effect on the brightness or color of the polished test strake. Tomorrow, I will install a set of these on my car and will post a pic tomorrow night of what they look like installed. :D It shouldn't be too much longer.

Sweet thanks for the update. Looking forward to purchasing some from you.

Great job Dennis. Add me to the list for the side strakes please. Probably Velocity Red, but would like to see your pictures first.

I want some gun metal ones. Got to have em.

How much for a pair of alluminum strakes?
Is there enough to go around? :D

put me on the list for the lighted ones...it'd be best if tthe light was more spread out


Did a test on a clear one tonight with a blue and a white LED inserted. These photos cannot do it justice as light is one of the most difficult things to photograph. To keep it from being too intense, I used the spot meter function on my camera but in doing so, it also lessens the actual light being reflected in the nether regions of the clear strake.

Here is the blue from the top, blue from the side and white from the top.

D is going to make bank - well deserved...

Deff. would love to have a set...I donno which color would look best with the silver...but i want i want!!!! ^_^

I would definately be interested in the aluminum ones.

When they're ready, I would ike the aluminum strakes. Thanks!

I would be interested in the aluminum strakes, fog light strakes, and the oil cooler grills-

Please keep me posted as well-

Thanks, and great work-

Oh, yeah, I would also like the fog light strakes and oil cooler grills!

Very impressive. Please add me to the list of aluminium fender strakes.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

make chrome ones and email me when their done, i will buy right away. qdog145@aol.com

Can you take a further picture of your car with the strakes

I would be interested in the aluminum finish or possible the titanium it i see a picture of them on a titanium car. Thanks. great work

I'm in for a set as soon as you have them available. Preferably Chrome. But Sunlight Silver will work........email me as soon as they are available.

i was wondering if you could photo shop a pic of a black 8 with all (aluminum, gunmetal, grey, and white) fender and fog strakes. but i definately want a pair of fender and fog strakes just want to find out which color would be best.

btw i know you have heard this many times already but Fu@*in awesome job..

oh yea put me on the mailing list or whatever list you have of interested buyers but please post some pics so i can find teh perfect color.. have thought about making other replica part such as the mazdaspeed sidemirrors or any other bodykit parts.

Im not sure how similar it is to make replicas of these things but it seems that if anyone can do it it is definately you.

Got some unfinished strakes from D_MENAC_7 ... they are suberb!
They came unfinished as I wanted to match the color I used to paint my mazda emblems.

So heres a pic of the strakes, Semi-Flat Black.

Also included a pic of the front end with black mazda emblem.

Hey D! can you please email me with price, shipping, etc. when you have time. i am interested in the aluminum strakes. or if possible carbon fiber strakes to match my hood!!!!

Well you got yourself another customer here...I'd prefer a gunmetal type color to match my future rims but I might even give in to a simple black...

eitherway keep us posted!

awesome job, I've been trying to cast my own aluminum ones, but its such a pain in the @$$. Good job!

I already have the Mazda aluminum strakes, but some matching fog light strakes would be super. I would be looking for something which would match the stock side strakes.

Great work, the strakes look great in the pictures!

I already have the Mazda aluminum strakes, but some matching fog light strakes would be super. I would be looking for something which would match the stock side strakes.

Great work, the strakes look great in the pictures!Coming soon to a Forum near you. :D Check back tomorrow or on Monday. Between sanding and finishing strakes, the oil cooler screens are ready for the install, as well as the Fog Light Accent Strakes. Front comes off tomorrow for the oil cooler screens and at the same time the Fog Light Accent Strakes.

I want a set, finally someone makes a mold!!! I want gunmetal to match my rims. How much and any chance I could get them before NOPI Nationals, I leave next Wednesday (Sept 15th).