How tall do you like your spats?

thunderball · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 05:31 PM

I'm working on a mold for making some spats and having a hard time with figuring on a height. I think the clear spats are too high for a non body colored( carbon) spat and while they serve a functional use cosmetically would be ugly.

What I am thinking of is about 4 " shorter than the 3m one and maybe a sliver of 3m for protection above.

I'm open for ideas on lengths so bring it on.

chris bailey.

cbreez · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 06:12 PM

what is a spat???...

is that part of the gatsby look?

thunderball · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 06:14 PM

It is a cover for the front of the rear fender to protect it from stone chips the front tire likes to inflict.

chris.

Cashburn · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 06:17 PM

Chris,
I will see if I can get a photo of how our local 3M installer was doing them. Instead of a straight cut, he was doing a gentle arc at the top. It looked a lot more form fitting that way. I think 4" down from the straight cut might be too low?

cbreez · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 06:17 PM

Thanks, I have learned a new term...

Sorry I can't help, don't use them.

6t8stang · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Chris,
I will see if I can get a photo of how our local 3M installer was doing them. Instead of a straight cut, he was doing a gentle arc at the top. It looked a lot more form fitting that way. I think 4" down from the straight cut might be too low?

Jay - is he still doing it like mine was done? If you look close you can see the line at http://www.vintage-motorsports.com/gallery/BDR436/aba

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderball

What I am thinking of is about 4 " shorter than the 3m one and maybe a sliver of 3m for protection above.

I'm open for ideas on lengths so bring it on.

I think that might work. My 3M stuff is not that high, all considered, here's a shot of them.

FUNFER2 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 08:26 PM

I made mine out of vinyl and sewed the ends. Used 3M adhesive tape.
You can zoom in using your computer. I can take a close up, if you want me too.

Trueoo7 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 09:10 PM

Since this was posted on the Backdraft forum am I correct in thinking these will be fitted for BDR's ?

lovehamr · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2009, 09:51 PM

Anyone know of any stainless ones that will fit our cars? CF is just to far down the modern looking trail for my car.

Steve

thunderball · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 05:04 PM

Thanx for the ideas and pictures guys.

Yes, they will be for the bdr's pre 600 and current. I am thinking of going 16" with a one quarter inch curve on top and that is measured from the very bottom of the fender. I like the high 3m protectiveness but I'm concerned with the aesthetics because I wil be recessing the tape in the back of the spat so the edges will be chamfered to leave a clean finished edge.

As far as material right off the top of my head I'm thinking carbon cleared, some colored carbon( look very subjective), silver carbon and then some ordinary glass that can be painted body color. There is a technique I'm still working on that will allow reg glass to be see thru( really clear) and then apply them with clear silicone. The clear ones I would probably flat finish so they look like frosted glass.

After the mold for these is done onto the belly pan.......

xena2006 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 02:58 PM

Glad to hear someone is addressing the need for fender protection on the BDR. I have #670 and it didn't take long to figure out that I should avoid any gravel in the road. The 3M film really looks bad. I would certanly be in line for a set of "spats" as you call them, if they look decent.

mtpockets · #13 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 05:00 PM

These were made by my wife. She made a pattern, bought some naugahyde, sewed them up and I put them in place with 3m double sided moulding tape. They work great. The dark color showed every rock chip and the spat area took a beating.

xena2006 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 06:38 AM

Nice looking! I think one could even make these a bit lower down on the fender. The chips I got were concentrated within 4-5 inches of the bottom. Ron

Doug I · #15 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 09:02 AM

mt - your wife did a great job on those !! They look 'right' for the car.

Night Enforcer · #16 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 02:22 PM

You and your wife did a great job! I like the height of yours. I have the 3M on mine, but it stops about an inch below where your are at. I am considering having mine redone to about your height.

thunderball · #17 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 03:58 PM

I agree that most of the damage is concentrated in the lower third of the fender and I expect I'll end up around 16". All the carbon parts I make are infused carbon and the finish is sema quality, ck out the carbon dashes that Reg sells.

thanx,
chris.

decooney · #18 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 05:42 PM

"as tall as the chips go" on your car and based on how well your tires can throw rocks - that's my answer to your question.

Experimenting with spats, my 1st set was too short. My 2nd set was still too short. The 3rd set was jussssssst righhhhht. Part of it depends on how much flare you have covering the front tire (how much the tire sticks out) too and if you run hard or stickier tires on the street. The stickier tires definitely pick up and throw more pebbles back and up the side of the rear flare. You'll notice the flare on an SPF covers more of the front tire, where as other cars have a different cut-in shape and more front tire is exposed. This is a factor, or at least on the cars I've earned chips on.

When I ran my Goodyear Billboard tires, chips were getting all the way up the side of the flare just parallel to the top of the door.

xena2006 · #19 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 11:48 AM

Has anyone tried a paint like what they put on rocker panels? It has like a krinkle finish to it and is the same color as the paint.

decooney · #20 (**permalink**) 03-16-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xena2006

Has anyone tried a paint like what they put on rocker panels? It has like a krinkle finish to it and is the same color as the paint.

Yes, I've tried both Rhino Liner and 3M spray on rocker guard versions in car-color and in black. Ended up with black to make it easier for touch up. Works pretty good. Prefer the 3M stuff more. DC