How to AeroMod "Paddle" Mirrors

[wyatt]

I made a second cover this past weekend after other household type work was done... meaning it was already dark when I tried to put it on. Either the two sides of my car are not "mirror images" of each other, or my tracing job was really really bad... I will have to try putting it on again, but it will need some alterations to make the current one work (if it will work at all), or another one may need to be made. I had plans to put a template on here for others to use if they wanted... but in light of me having trouble with making two for my car work, I may have to find some way of making a more general template for use.

[lunarhighway]

my previous car actually had asymetric mirror houseings from the factory. the right hand one was angled more backwards and the left one.... they where not the most aerdynamic mirrors ever but i looked as if they had spend some time in a wind tunnel....

so perhaps while not reduceing it's mirror surface the right hand mirror could be angeled backwards a little more for good vision than the left one. and thus present less frontal area.

a little assimetry is hard to spot on a car.... it took me a while to see the kadett's mirror houseings where not exact mirror-images, and i doubt anyone ever noticed it without paying attention to these things

[wyatt]

That's what I am seeing... So there may be templates afterall!

[DifferentPointofView]

Man, I have the same problem. Mirrors are big, but you find out of all your mirrors, the side ones are used constantly and the one inside that isn't effecting aero might as well be thrown out the window?

Its cause the mirror in the middle always gets blocked by the people in the back seat. and the blind spots... then the window tints...

Looks good though. As for the tail wind problem, I would say use something clear and create a cup sort of thing. I can't really explain it well, but I think it would work wellish. I could draw it for ya.

[BamZipPow]

Since yer using cardboard...you might try using some wood hardener to make yer cardboard form waterproof and stiffer once you settle on yer design.

[trikkonceptz]

Last night I saw Robocop and noticed that the mirrors on the older Taurus' (1987ish) didn't have such a bad aero profile. Also the ones on the 6000 sux were pretty clean too .. Despite its 8.2mpg rating (which was listed on the TV commercial) LOL

[wyatt]

I actually have upgraded... now that the elections are over, there are all kinds of coroplast signs that I got my hands on... just what the doctor ordered. Water proof, and white to match the color of my car. I am going to try making a tail on the end like several people have suggested, I just have to get my hands on something that will work well, for cheap. I will have to get pictures of the coroplast covers to put up here. Work very well, especially for the cost!

[Eighty-Nine Si]

I recall having read an article in Street Rodder some years back explaining how to make permanent parts out of poster board. As I recall, the procedure involved making the part and making numerous small holes in the poster board with a leather punch. Next, you coat your prototype with fiberglass resin and allow it to cure. Layering on fiberglass cloth was presented for heavier duty applications. I have never tried this, but it may have merit for one-off aero bits.

[lunarhighway]

i've once used cardboard for wheel dams, they where coated heavily with pva glue and than a thick coat of paint... they never met any real wet weather, but they stood up to the occasional splash and even survived an impact on uneven ground... this did dent them wich exposed bare card, but that could have been repaired had they been permanent.

i think some sort of resin or thick coat of varnish or waterproof paint that could seal or even impregnate the material would make it similar to fiberglass...basically it would be the same : resin bonded fibers

this also reminds me of what we used to do as a kid in school with newspaper and wallpaper glue... glue soaked newspapers where draped over a support structure or balloon and allowed to dry... could cole in handy to mold round shapes... onse dry if can be sande and painted if you can tackle the waterproofing

[Tango Charlie]

Pictures, wyatt, pictures!