Polyurethane Side Strakes first cast
07-31-2004, 08:13 PM
#77
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Originally Posted by Omicron
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.
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.
08-02-2004, 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by D MENAC 7
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.
08-02-2004, 09:06 PM
#81
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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.
08-02-2004, 09:09 PM
#82
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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.
08-02-2004, 11:15 PM
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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 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
08-03-2004, 04:42 AM
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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.
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.
08-03-2004, 06:46 AM
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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. 
08-03-2004, 07:42 AM
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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....
I'll order a set, but will have to consult with my daughter as to what color would look best on the silver....
08-03-2004, 04:15 PM
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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.
08-03-2004, 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Jarhead
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.
08-04-2004, 02:09 PM
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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.
08-05-2004, 12:18 AM
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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
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
