Heat shrink window film for body mods

[DonR]

Someone on this Forum made a "fastback" out of a Civic del Sol with the heat shrink film used by bodyshops for temporary covering of the vehicles. If I remember right, he saw some considerable highway gains & it held up decently.

Don

[JRMichler]

Originally Posted by pletby

Very interesting. Does anyone have any experience with this in extreme cold temps? Does it get fragile?

I used window film for the grille block on my Canyon. The original film has been on for almost two years now. I don't know what you call extreme cold, but it's seen 30 below.

I used the exterior window film. It looks exactly like the interior, but is twice as thick.

[kach22i]

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model: Premiere.....video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTYiEkQYhWY

[aerohead]

The only thing I can think of that might make it go south,is in a situation where the material might lift into a low pressure region,and simultaneously attain a shape which would itself cause separation,which would cause the skin to drop;the whole process repeating itself over an over until the skin finally ruptured.Flutter.The noise would make a great migrane generator.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by aerohead

Flutter.The noise would make a great migrane generator.

Yeah, but a low pressure area, once identified, can be reinforced with a bow of some sort. If it happens, it's probably going to be a one time problem.

[pletby]

Originally Posted by JRMichler

I used window film for the grille block on my Canyon. The original film has been on for almost two years now. I don't know what you call extreme cold, but it's seen 30 below.

I used the exterior window film. It looks exactly like the interior, but is twice as thick.

Cool, I'll look into this stuff, as cardboard quickly turns to mush when used as a grille block around here until the real cold comes. Kind of a stealth grille cover is what it'll be. Like saran wrap on the toilet seat.

Extreme cold to me is -40, and we usually get a week of it each year. About 15 years ago we got two weeks of -40 (without windchill!) in a row. I was working outside on an open tractor so I really remember that. Last few years have been very mild where we barely get into the -30's (C) and mostly hang out in the -25 area.

kach22i that BMW GINA Light Visionary Model looks awesome! I love fabric covered aircraft, and the look is captured superbly in that car! Wow!

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by pletby

that BMW GINA Light Visionary Model looks awesome! I love fabric covered aircraft, and the look is captured superbly in that car! Wow!

Why not use actual aircraft fabric instead of the window film? Lots of prior art with it, and suppliers. See for instance here: DACRON FABRIC <BR>FOR HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT from Aircraft Spruce

[JRP3]

Simplicity and cost.

[JRMichler]

The aircraft fabric is not as cheap as, say polyethylene film and tape, but it is strong and lasts forever. I've seen twenty year old Dacron aircraft fabric that was still in excellent condition, but the structure underneath needed to be rebuilt. The fabric is strong enough that a person can stand on it if the support structure is strong enough. It can also be finished to a smooth gloss.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by JRMichler

The aircraft fabric is not as cheap as, say polyethylene film and tape, but it is strong and lasts forever.

Exactly. It may cost less to do one version of the mod, but if you have to replace it every time someone pokes a finger through it, or it gets hit by flying gravel &c, the cost (especially if you include the worth of your time) builds up.

What you might want to do is to experiment with film, then when it's the way you want it, redo with fabric.