Partial wheel skirts - what effects to expect?

[brucepick]

I'm planning on half skirts (probably 2/3 really) for my Civic. Contours at the rocker panel and factory side skirt area would make for difficult transitions from those surfaces to the lower skirt area. I figure partial skirts will probably give very nearly the benefit of full skirts without the drawbacks of rough transition and the bulge. YMMV of course.

[some_other_dave]

Since you seem worried about the possibility of rust, I suggest making the skirts and belly pan easily removable. Also do what you can to make them easy to wash out; caked-on dirt will hold moisture against metal and can be abrasive enough to compromise the paint. Not a good combination.

Easy removal and/or cleaning can also help when snow packs into the wheel wells. We've seen examples of that happening with full skirts; not sure if partial skirts would have the same problem.

Also make sure that whatever attachment you use does not expose bare metal. For instance, if you drill holes you should paint the inside of the hole so there is some protection from rust in that spot. And do a little bit of thinking about how any added parts might affect the paint on the car (or the undercarriage!), because rust can easily start when paint gets worn through.

-soD

[RiderofBikes]

IF your extremely worried about rust(especially if screwing into something), put a dab of silicon caulking before you attach something to the frame.

[seifrob]

My plan is not to drill any holes if possible because the car is two years old. I was thinking about sillicon glue, zip ties and velcro stripes tightened around existing holes and mounting points. The half-skirts prototype is held just by paper tape. I was also considering using small neodymium magnets and "snap on" system (i have found some neodymium magnets for less than a dollar with 5 kg holding strength). Anything must be removable on road without tools, because local police has the power to escort your car to nearest inspection right away if they "have suspicion something might be wrong".

[Phantom]

I am thinking about using magnets to hold my skirts on when I get around to building them since I do not want to drill into the body.

[Gealii]

Originally Posted by Phantom

I am thinking about using magnets to hold my skirts on when I get around to building them since I do not want to drill into the body.

idk if it's been mentioned it might've been but look at your wheel wells for a screw that goes all around by the lip holding on some sort of wheel well liner. When i get around to making my skirts i plan on using those

[seifrob]

so, i have done it (pics tomorrow). cut shape from material called "foamed PVC" and duck-taped it over wheel wells - just protoyping.
So far it seems FE is worse, but I havent done any real testing. I was watching consumption over my commute route. next tank will say more.

[RiderofBikes]

awaiting pics!

[seifrob]

so, after 465 km long round trip and some showers:


PROS:

• Didn´t meet a police patrol
• Nothing fell off despite light shower, the paper tape seems to hold well (Thanks, RiderofBikes - it's a good idea!)
• FE seems promising (no A-B-A test, just watching average fuel consumption on onboard computer. I hope for some measurable effect in 1000 km average consumption (roughly one tank))

CONS:

• Still need to get used to the new look of the car
• My wife refuses to drive it ... well, it should be in PROS list ;-)

More and better pics when I dig them from my wifes camera.

[Piwoslaw]

That looks great! Did it attract a lot of attention from other drivers?
That's the reason Mrs. P refuses to drive our car - Too much attention causing other drivers' behaviour to become unpredictable. Though I have no problem predicting that they'll suddenly stop, or pass me three times, or yell something through the window, etc.