Coupe ducktail carbon fiber mold

JDSpeed

Active Member
Sep 25, 2015
38
32
28
Hey all!

Getting closer to making a final mold for a wing I have in the works. Maybe y’all could weigh in on critiques?

its a moderate ducktail spoiler that pulls a bit of inspiration from the 03/04 cobra.

currently, with no good mounting locations for hardware (no access under deck lid for bolts to go “thru”) I am thinking about 3M adhesive.

I cringe 1) thinking about sticking something to my car 2) hesitate on bonding ability... but everyone swears with enough surface area there are no issues. Still some things to do like cap ends and rework some curves but this is basically it! Will make revisions and print other half.

critique away!
 

Attachments

  • 635B5BFD-3B5E-49EE-8AB5-50141E322478.jpeg
    635B5BFD-3B5E-49EE-8AB5-50141E322478.jpeg
    425.3 KB · Views: 104
  • DE20D72D-7CAA-48A0-9ED8-87A39A398DD7.jpeg
    DE20D72D-7CAA-48A0-9ED8-87A39A398DD7.jpeg
    384.4 KB · Views: 117
  • CFEFDCCF-0663-4160-9343-32350EEEB327.jpeg
    CFEFDCCF-0663-4160-9343-32350EEEB327.jpeg
    387.3 KB · Views: 105
  • 1454701E-A129-45C4-9CA9-BE24432AE1BF.jpeg
    1454701E-A129-45C4-9CA9-BE24432AE1BF.jpeg
    368.1 KB · Views: 117
  • 1224C2DF-AE18-4ACF-8589-006DD5A4D391.jpeg
    1224C2DF-AE18-4ACF-8589-006DD5A4D391.jpeg
    435.2 KB · Views: 105
  • IMG_0407.jpg
    IMG_0407.jpg
    109.2 KB · Views: 154
  • IMG_0408.jpg
    IMG_0408.jpg
    119 KB · Views: 155
  • IMG_0409.jpg
    IMG_0409.jpg
    284.1 KB · Views: 156
Last edited:
  • Sponsors (?)


What do you mean by adhesive? Do you mean a panel bonding adhesive? @Davedacarpainter has experience with PBA and that's strong stuff.

Still, I'd want a mechanical fastener on an aero element - you don't want that coming off and hitting some guy on a motorcycle (me) at 70 mph.

I like the look though.
 
What do you mean by adhesive? Do you mean a panel bonding adhesive? @Davedacarpainter has experience with PBA and that's strong stuff.

Still, I'd want a mechanical fastener on an aero element - you don't want that coming off and hitting some guy on a motorcycle (me) at 70 mph.

I like the look though.

3M VHB double sided tape.

I haven’t given up on working in fasteners, and would prefer to... left enough room in design to work in Tbolts to decklick portion of the wing. May work a couple into the next print
 
I'd be worried about tape too. At the very least, it will allow some movement, which probably doesn't matter on a street-only car. I know they use it for fastening some trip pieces nowadays, but those pieces are usually designed to be slippery, where a spoiler isn't.

I'll bet PBA would hold it. Dave said he's seen metal tear around where PBA was used, but that probably requires both surfaces to be paint free.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I customized an early 80s gt wing for my notch back. Used 3m8115 and it's been stuck on for 3 years.

Screenshot_20200805-122809_Instagram.jpg


Screenshot_20200805-122813_Instagram.jpg


I wanted to make a mold of it so I could sell a couple. Just no time at all. Even looked into 3d cameras to get some modeling done. I actually wanted it for a few projects that I think would be mildly lucrative.

I really like what you have going on with your wing. Back I'm the 80s and early 90s they used to mold wings out of this black closed cell foam stuff. Was light weight and easy to fit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I think the tape would hold fine. I have it to secure my fender flares on currently and saleen skirts and they are strong as can be. I did also use a adhesive promoter. I can shake my entire car from the flares. I really like the design you are going for. I personally think it should be taller but looks great. Keep up the good work!!
 
I customized an early 80s gt wing for my notch back. Used 3m8115 and it's been stuck on for 3 years.

Screenshot_20200805-122809_Instagram.jpg


Screenshot_20200805-122813_Instagram.jpg


I wanted to make a mold of it so I could sell a couple. Just no time at all. Even looked into 3d cameras to get some modeling done. I actually wanted it for a few projects that I think would be mildly lucrative.

I really like what you have going on with your wing. Back I'm the 80s and early 90s they used to mold wings out of this black closed cell foam stuff. Was light weight and easy to fit.
These are very kind words. Sweet spoiler! The 3D imaging is the next stop for me, as well. Though, those scanners run about 9k at the moment. All of my designs I do by extrapolating dimensions or simply guess and check on the car. Hoping once done I can sell a couple to make the mold making process worth while. Then.. after that who knows ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I think the tape would hold fine. I have it to secure my fender flares on currently and saleen skirts and they are strong as can be. I did also use a adhesive promoter. I can shake my entire car from the flares. I really like the design you are going for. I personally think it should be taller but looks great. Keep up the good work!!
Wow. That strong? I did read up that adhesive promoter is "the way" to go if doing such.

I had it a bit taller.. but the larger, swooping profile started to give me "DECH" vibes. Wanted it a bit more suttle. BUT, may rework to be a bit bigger in the future if a 3rd brake like needs to be slotted in there...
 
This thing I made looks a lot easier than it is. It was designed for a hatch and I had to fabricate the end caps.

There are some cheaper 3d scanners but the end result needs a bunch of smoothing. Seems like they would get the basic dimensions pretty good. There are so many hidden curves on a vehicles panels. I have way more respect for anyone that can 3d model anything that fits right. That takes work and it looks like you're coming along pretty good.

Maybe I need to invest in a 3d printer. It's super hard for me to map out dimensions and send them to someone in a digital file.

I'm an old foam carving guy. Now, I'm playing with plasticine clay. Smh.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
What size printer are you using and what are you printing in?
Ender 3, print bed volume 8.5"x8.5"x10" pretty standard.
Material is PETG, a bit more stringing than PLA (lego plastic) but allows a bit more flexibility.

I would print in ABS, but that requires an enclosure (I use my dogs travel kennel thats made out of fabric, haha) and a bit more heat. Though its SUPER strong.

Will be printing Nylon-X (carbon infused nylon) material on a bit bigger bed with hotter extruder end in future for end use products like wing mounts, bezels, jigs etc.
 
This thing I made looks a lot easier than it is. It was designed for a hatch and I had to fabricate the end caps.

There are some cheaper 3d scanners but the end result needs a bunch of smoothing. Seems like they would get the basic dimensions pretty good. There are so many hidden curves on a vehicles panels. I have way more respect for anyone that can 3d model anything that fits right. That takes work and it looks like you're coming along pretty good.

Maybe I need to invest in a 3d printer. It's super hard for me to map out dimensions and send them to someone in a digital file.

I'm an old foam carving guy. Now, I'm playing with plasticine clay. Smh.

3D printing is simpler than ever, and a lot of the pieces that one would need are most likely in a cadlibrary. I bet with your keen eye you could get within +/- 1/16". The print material is cheap, so print a quick mockup (I usually just do a thin layer about .06") overlay it to my object and adjust.

I encourage you to try! The ender 3 is what I use, VERY basic - and print quality is stellar for the price ($200). Until you step up to the $4-5000 machines most printers are pretty similar in the functions.

I see the printer/inhouse designer being a big commodity and have been working at my degree and getting mechanical design certs so one day a highend fab shop will scoop me up. Or just make parts for the fox out of my home and call it a day. That's my (dream) goal, atleast!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Ender 3, print bed volume 8.5"x8.5"x10" pretty standard.
Material is PETG, a bit more stringing than PLA (lego plastic) but allows a bit more flexibility.

I would print in ABS, but that requires an enclosure (I use my dogs travel kennel thats made out of fabric, haha) and a bit more heat. Though its SUPER strong.

Will be printing Nylon-X (carbon infused nylon) material on a bit bigger bed with hotter extruder end in future for end use products like wing mounts, bezels, jigs etc.
I am currently running an ender5 plus I could likely print that in 3 pieces fairly easily.. are you using Fusion?