Making a "SPLASH"

[dave.n]

Ok here goes.
I have heard the common term making a splash of that car.

This I know is the term for copying a particular thing or making a mould of some thing.
I am in desperate need to make a copy of the lemans hard top. I know what your thinking, why doesn't he just buy one off DB or he's a cheap skate why doesn't he just buy one.
Well for one my car isn't a Dax and when they tried one on Clarksons SR it wasn't in the ball park. Secondly I want to do something a little different with it. I would love to tell you all, but my idea is quite laughable and if it doesn't work then I would have wasted an awful lot of time and effort COUPLED WITH A HUGE IMBARASSMENT. If it turns out like my spelling I'm well in bother.

I have the offer of maybe making a splash of someones hard top so the actual question is how do I go about it?
I've never done such a thing before so any help would be appreciated.

Or maybe you have tried it and it all when't horribly wrong and you have got bits and pieces that might be just what I'm looking for.

Please help.

You never know if my idea works then you might be interested in doing it yourself. I must state that this is not a money venture, it's purely for me only, as a one off. I could not and wouldn't even try to emulate the fine piece of kit that dave produces.

[Purple AK]

Inbound PM .....

[dave]

Hi Dave.
If you don't need the opening rear hatch bit you could get one from Hawk, Almost certain they are cheaper than mine for just the GRP stuff, and probably not worth splashing a mould from.
You have PM from me too....

[Neil O]

No pm from me DaveN, I'll just stick it right here...

I think you are crazy to want a sunroof in a Le Mans hardtop.

[dave]

Originally Posted by Neil O

No pm from me DaveN, I'll just stick it right here...

I think you are crazy to want a sunroof in a Le Mans hardtop.

Tilt n' slide or full Webasto????

[Neil O]

He's going to use a 2CV canvas roof he told me.

Silicone is going to be short supply.......

[Deck]

What you are talking about is a big ribbed structure that is maybe 2 to 3 feet bigger all round than the part you want to make. It needs multiple layer of glass matt and resin applied and then reinforcing ribs, cut to approximate shape from wood or steel to hold the shape once it is removed. It must then be strong enough to allow someone to lay up a load of layers of matt and resin inside it to make the replica part. It must be of a shape that allows the part to be removed. If not it needs a flange incorporated so that the mould can separate to allow the part to come out.

If you don't put enough release agent onto the original, or make the mould in the right way, you can easily be forced to destroy the original or the mould!

You may also need to glass in pre fabricated parts to add structure and attachment points to the new part you are making.

If you're determined to make one, find a fibreglass boatbuilder and get a quote...
good luck
Dec

[Chimeara]

Neil suttle as ever I see. Why a sunroof, when the suns out take the bloody roof off.

[Clarkson]

Originally Posted by dave.n

Ok here goes.
I have heard the common term making a splash of that car.

This I know is the term for copying a particular thing or making a mould of some thing.
I am in desperate need to make a copy of the lemans hard top. I know what your thinking, why doesn't he just buy one off DB or he's a cheap skate why doesn't he just buy one.
Well for one my car isn't a Dax and when they tried one on Clarksons SR it wasn't in the ball park. Secondly I want to do something a little different with it. I would love to tell you all, but my idea is quite laughable and if it doesn't work then I would have wasted an awful lot of time and effort COUPLED WITH A HUGE IMBARASSMENT. If it turns out like my spelling I'm well in bother.

I have the offer of maybe making a splash of someones hard top so the actual question is how do I go about it?
I've never done such a thing before so any help would be appreciated.

Or maybe you have tried it and it all when't horribly wrong and you have got bits and pieces that might be just what I'm looking for.

Please help.

You never know if my idea works then you might be interested in doing it yourself. I must state that this is not a money venture, it's purely for me only, as a one off. I could not and wouldn't even try to emulate the fine piece of kit that dave produces.

Dave, It definitely was in the ball park and all I had to do was move my windscreen back about 1". Very doable.

[Clarkson]

DB, What were those mearsurements again you said to me at Stoneleigh??