:yarly: I sent an E-mail to him this mornign asking what was availible, but he's on the west coast, so it might be a while before he gets back to me. Here is what I got about the durometer
Update: I heard back from the guy in the states, and he is charging a 500% mark-up for the product. 4 sheets- for $230.00!! His sheets are 12" x 24" One of the guys in the UK sells 12" x 18" sheets for $7.50 Euro - which converts to about $50.00. I'm still waiting to hear back on sheets that would measure 15" x 23" sheets...
That funny "L" symbol is Euro, right? http://peterlloydrallying.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=354
Whoops, I fail. 7.5 Pounds = $14.96 US Dollars. So they'll be like 60.00 for a set of 4. When the guy gets back to me with the UV stability question and the pricng, I will ask what durometer he offers. The manufacturer will not sell to a private party - we have to go through a distributor.
I got that piece of Kaylan today. initial impressions: Very shiny: bling bling? Very flexible: may not offer lots of protection from gravel spray??? Scratch resistant: I rubbed it on the pavement and only a few noticeable scratches concerns: how does it react to cold? I have heard of people that have had mud flaps crack in half by backing into snow banks because the material becomes very brittle. will this do that? might have to try and bolt this little piece up and take some runs on gravel...
Martin, toss it in the freezer for the day and retry your tests... it would be interesting to see how it reacts if people do want to pursue this
will the freezer get cold enough? i dont know if there is much that can simulate a weekend in Orr in the middle of january.
we should mass produce these things for MNsubaru members. the money could be used to help with the growing demands of the club. make a cool name for them and even sell them to people over Nasioc.com. there could be a good profit if they end up being ok flaps.
typical home freezer temps are -5 to 5 F, i believe - should give a good indication of Orr in January. I dont' know how you're going to test -30F unless you're in Orr in January.
-5F and -30F are along ways apart. if this stuff gets brittle by 0F then it might not fly. I just tossed it in the freezer now. I will check it tomorrow.
Someone on here has to work in a research lab and have access to a -80*F freezer! :eek4: That link to the industrial plastic supply website has me interested, it's only 14 bucks + shipping for a 12x48" sheet of the 0.125" stuff which would be more than thick enough. If anyone wants I have a template for the flaps I made for the Forester (though I don't think there are too many FXT guys on here). They fit great and I started with a 12x18" sheet and cut it down. -Steve
I got my mine - I really like this material at whatever durometer was supplied. Initial impression is that it is very rugged and impact resistant. It has enough flex that it won't get ripped off the mounts if it contacts the ground or other objects for a extended periods of time but is stiff enough that it won't flop up under the car from debris off the tires
I GOT MINE I GOT MINE! haha at first all i saw was a catalog and was like :ugh: but then i saw the chunk sitting in the bottom and was like :biggrin: yeah i really like it. its easy to cut. it looks yummy and after chewing on it for a little while it passes the chewtest. note: i chew test all of my new parts just to be safe. as far as size goes for the orders im going to go with whatever carl wants. cuz like i said before, id rather have to cut them smaller then to be stuck with tiny mudflaps. RED please!
Just pulled it out of the freezer. I was still able to bend it in half w/o difficulty. The freezer didnt get too cold. but It seems like it will hold up alright to cold weather. I might try an "abrasion" test tomorrow to see how it holds up against pavement.
Hey fellas... More news! A friend of mine up in Houghton told me to check out Argonics Inc, in Marquette, MI. They make all kinds of plastic stuff for agriculture and mining equipment. I E-mailed them last week, and more sample stuff just showed up. This is a urethane product, and the samples that I got were 75A - WAY too floppy. I E-mailed him again and told him more of what we are looking for. This stuff feels like the Kaylan that I sent a couple of you guys - so I'm going to see if they can do a 90A or 120A durometer - and see what colors we can get. Here is some text and a pic cut and pasted from their website - the nice thing about this stuff is that they're close, and this is "heavy machinery" grade plastic, so it's probably going to be cheaper than the stuff from the UK. It's a fact: Argonics' Kryptane Xtreme™ polyurethane sheets ease installation, reduce noise and can be used in locations that other liners just can't handle. Wet or dry, sticky or sloppy, Argonics polyurethane protects your equipment investments. Argonics' sheet materials are available in standard 4'x8', 4'x10', 5'x8' and 5'x10' sizes, and from 1/8" to 1" thick. Sheets are available in plain, fabric backed, expanded metal and weldable configurations. Larger sizes and custom geometric shapes are available upon request. Features Include: Custom part development available Resistant to corrosive applications Easy to handle and lightweight
yea find out about colors. I have access to a laser cutter if we get them in the large standard sizes but I can't remember how big of material can be put on there
Well, I have all of the information for us to make a call, minus ONE thing, so here goes: There are two types of plastic that I found that are about perfect - I think the choice is a no-brainer, but I want your guy's opinions. Option A: Kaylan Sheets. These are the sheets in the U.K. and are about 15.00 per sheet. I believe they are 320mm x 420mm - 12.5" x 16.5". What I don't know is the cost for shipping - which will depend on the quantity ordered. (This stuff works out to be $10.49 per square foot - not including shipping) Option B: 3/16" Argonics 93A Polyurethane. For those of you that have seen the Kaylan sheets, this is very similar interms of feel, rigidity and weight. It is less shiny. Below is a picture. The place that sells them is in Michigan and they could roll up a 4' x 8' sheet and ship it to me. We would then cut it down with some good sharp Scissors and you can cut out whatever pattern you want. TWO (2) 4x8 sheets would cost $680.00 and I would assume shipping would be $35.00 UPS groung from MI. (This stuff works out to be $10.63 per square foot - not including shipping) We would each get 4 (2' x 2') sheets and you can cut out whatever pattern you wants. There are two ways to break up the 4x8 sheets. if you want four (2x2) pieces, it will cost you $170.00. If you want two (2x2) pieces, it will cost you $85.00. I assume that most of us could get two flaps out of each 2x2. If we go option B, I'll set a date, and everyone will have to send me their share of the $ and then I'll place the order and have the rolls shipped to my office on my UPS account. Let me know what you think: I only have one small chunk of this stuff, so if any of you want to see it, we'll have to meet up For those of you who have seen or gotten your hands on the Kaylan, the two feel VERY VERY similar but the Argonics sutff is less "greasy and shiny"
sounds like either way you go you will be getting some good stuff. I personally prefer the less shiny look, but I already have flaps and dont need more; so my vote shouldnt count towards anything.
yeah it sounds like there is some good material to pick from. but i dont know anything about what to look for. im putting my decision into carls hands. whatever you guys decide on im sure will work for me as long as i can get some red ones lol. keep up the good research. just make sure that the sizes arent too tiny.
I'd take a set in black...Just so you all know. haha Sounds like all this tracking them down a material is paying off. I hope you guys can make some $$ back for all of the leg work.
TTT for an update!!! I just ordered some very promising looking product!!! I want to SEE it before I get too excited, but it sounds perfect, and VERY cost effective. More details in about a week.
