Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
(OP)
Gentlemen (& Ladies)
I just stumbled across this site and found it informative for what I need.
I am restoring an old American car, on a very tight budget I might add, and there is a few chromed plastic parts that I can't seem to find anywhere except once in a blue moon on Ebay for "get-rich-quick" prices.
My questions are: What would be the best mold/repro process I can use as a "diy-er"? What would be the best material for the chrome parts? Should I worry about copyrights if I were to decide to somehow market them in the future even if these parts are obsolete and haven't been made for over 40 years?
Do forgive me for my lack of knowledge in this area but any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Abe
I just stumbled across this site and found it informative for what I need.
I am restoring an old American car, on a very tight budget I might add, and there is a few chromed plastic parts that I can't seem to find anywhere except once in a blue moon on Ebay for "get-rich-quick" prices.
My questions are: What would be the best mold/repro process I can use as a "diy-er"? What would be the best material for the chrome parts? Should I worry about copyrights if I were to decide to somehow market them in the future even if these parts are obsolete and haven't been made for over 40 years?
Do forgive me for my lack of knowledge in this area but any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Abe
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
Classic Industries sell remanufactured parts for many models of classic cars at very good prices.
I'm in Australia, and own a 79 model Chevy Camaro, which is not a common vehicle down-under, Classic Industries have been a vital part of my restoration project.
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
THanks
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
Then paint the result with simulated chrome paint. I have not seen it that I know of, but I have been told the stuff from Eastwood looks pretty decent.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
A steel fabricated mould would cost very little to manufacture. Abe, can you email me a drawing and we can go from there. I work for a Rotary moulding company as a Toolmaker.
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
Thanks a bunch.
Abe
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
The naturally greasy and inert surface makes it difficult to get either a chemical or a physical bond.
Special grades of ABS or PC/ABS can be easily plated, but not rotomoulded. Also rotomoulding gives poor surface detail.
Nylon and Acetal can also be plated but not so easily or successfully as ABS or PC/ABS. They also cannot be rotomoulded.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
I hear you, re: greasy surface PE - but tend to dissagree on poor surface finish. Really depends on what effort is made in the finish of the tooling, I could manufacture a mould that leaves a surface finish to the product, equal to an injected moulded die finish. Depends on what the client wants and how much he/she is willing to spend. Mostly rotomould tooling is a sand or bead blast finish, sometimes vacuum honing leaves a really nice surface texture, and then on aluminium moulds a mirror finish is required on some products.
Also on the subject of PE in rotomoulding and greasy surface, a lot can be said on over use of mould release.
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
I appreciate any and every help possible.
Abe
RE: Reproduce Obsolete Classic Car Plastic Part
It will be the easiest way to make an original looking, durable, functional part.
Regards
eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.