magnets use for permanent mods ?

[groar]

Hi,

Who is using magnets in their permanent mods ?

I'm looking for a simple way to attach my permanent rear skirts. I do not want to drill and I want to be able to remove them fastly (in case of cops' curiosity or technical control). I saw metrompg's solution but I can't find a easy way to implement it from what I can find in local stores.

I know that some small wifi and GPS antennas can stay on car's roof at high speeds (personally tested at 90mph) only attached with a magnet.

Because of my 16 months old son, I have to install magnets on drawers and doors. A search found supermagnete site. There is several thin magnets (<0.2 inch), each can support several lbs and these aren't too expensive. A dozen by rear wheel skirt should be enough...

A first difference between these permanent skirts and my cardboard skirts is the weight. The permanent one should be several lbs each. Another difference is the surface attachment, the tape had much more surface than the magnets will have, so the force/surface ratio will have to be much bigger.

What are your experiences ?

Denis.

[azraelswrd]

cfg first turned me to magnets.

I found these and was thinking about using them but wanted to first use tape tests.
5 Rare Earth Neodymium MAGNETS .75 x.75 x 1/8 Block NEW: NSN0512 Phoenix Trading Company

[cfg83]

groar -

At post #8 I use magnets for my Airtabs :

Where to buy vortex generator fins?

I used magnets because I wanted the option of squeeky clean removal if I didn't like them aesthetically. Happily, no one has swiped them (knock on virtual wood).

Starting at post #50, blackjackel used magnets to install the framework for a rear wheel skirt :

Help with my aero mods: 1.8L 05 Auto Toyota Corolla

The above hasn't been finished, but the frame has held on at freeway speeds. The key was to have a magnet on both ends, a magnet on the car and on the frame.

I also have an idea to incorporate magnets for a Kamm-Back, but I haven't got around to that project.

CarloSW2

[meemooer]

hmm... has me thinking about using some now. Maybe for me they would help with a bellypan and rear wheel skirts

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

Magnets are great -- if you have steel all around your wheel openings. On my xA though, about 1/2 of the surrounding material is plastic...

Also, magnets are much thicker than tape, so they will stick out into the air stream to a greater extent.

[orange4boy]

Lee valley sells rare earth magnets quite reasonably. Lee Valley Tools - Woodworking Tools, Gardening Tools, Hardware
They have a starter kit with an assortment or you can order them one at a time in most sizes.

Depending on the way you attach the skirts they will probably work very well. I think if the wind can't get under your mod to pry it off you are o.k.

I use them for attaching one of those $1.49 foil blankets from a camping store when I park in the sun. It's almost as good as parking in the shade and the magnets are almost invisible on the silver plastic. The long magnets work best because you can get a grip on them. The flat ones are hard to pull off.

Another way for quick detach is dzus fasteners which were invented for aircraft panel quick release. The are spring loaded, flush and can be installed with rivets or screws. Also used in auto racing, etc.

Self-Ejecting Fasteners