[biotechee]

Since the fiberglass is pretty rigid (will not bend like PU), it should accept standard fiberglass painting methods and additives- your body shop or paint guy will know what to do.



For the PU splitter, you need to add flex additives to help the paint "bend" with the splitter. It will probably still eventually crack like Flash said, but as long as the hits or dings aren't too aggressive, the flex additive will help prolong the prevention of paint cracking.



I have the PU splitter and it was on my coupe which was set to ROW ride height. I had flex additive added to the paint and I scuffed the splitter on my driveway entrance more than once- not an aggressive hit or anything like that, but the paint on the underside did crack and peel a little (I think the guy I had paint it didn't prep it properly either)...



In my opinion, if your car is set to NA ride height and you are a conscious driver (which I believe most of us are), then you shouldn't really have too much problem with the fiberglass version. If you are the type of driver who frequently tags the front of your car on the parking spot concrete stops, kiss your fiberglass splitter good by.... Pony up and spend the money for the PU version- you'll go through enough fiberglass ones to exceed the cost of one PU splitter over time - easily.

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[PorscheDude]

When I had my splitter on, I painted it semi flat black (rattle can ). Makes for easy an touch up.

It WILL take a beating no matter how careful you are.

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[flash]

a local guy did the same thing with the rattle can - smartest thing i ever saw - sure wish i thought of it before i spent nearly a grand repainting it time after time after time................

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[biotechee]

Can't you also get your car's color (in general) in a spray can from Paint Scratch? I think they will also mix it with flex additive too. Worth a look-see.



If I end up keeping my PU splitter, I will probably go the route of Paint Scratch. I figure the finish down there doesn't need to be perfect as you really can't tell unless you get down to eye level on that bad boy.

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[jeffski1]

That's what I was thinking. The splitter is so low and shadowed, I figured it would be better to paint it with a more durable or easily repairable paint product and not worries as much about matching the rest of the car or making it showroom sparkle. Of course, my car is my daily driver, so no matter what I use, it is going to get abused. I am thinking spray paint is the way to go for me, just for the easy touch-up factor.

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[caffine]

Has anyone tried approaching a Custom mold urethane manufacture here in the US regarding having a splitter made from an existing part - like the GT Racing Kelvar one? I just spoke to one and he mentioned they have had many Car clubs come to them to manufacture unavailable parts in low production runs. Sounds like the better color of choice would be black.



Is anyone interested in going this route? Let me know and I'll proceed further down this path.

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[flash]

when i spoke to gt racing, they said their carbon fiber units units were actually carbon fiber lain over fiberglass, and done so purely for looks



i looked into getting these done in PU once, a long time ago - the problem with getting a PU mold made was the setup cost - there just wasn't enough quantity to justify it - but, that being said, if you want to pony up the dough, knock yourself out - based on how many are currently bought, if you could get the net cost down to under $400 delivered, you could probably sell a dozen a year for the next couple of years - do the math and see if it works out - who knows?

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[dporschey]

Tower Paint 1-800-779-6520 Call them if you need paint in a spray can. They have most porsche colors. I got a spray can of guards red shipped to me for $18 and it matched perfect. My dad got paint for his triumph and it also matched great.

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[caffine]

GT Racing returned my call this morning - the non-carbon fiber model is made from Kelvar and comes in Black or Gray. And Flash Thanks for the info regarding a target price, etc. I'll continue looking into getting at least a real quote and then perform a go/no-go.

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[flash]

kevlar? really? i might have to look into that for something else - i wonder if it's inlaid or sheet, and what they use for suspension?



as for price, that seems to be the go/no go price for most of these guys - some guys step up to the $500 plus price tag of the current unit, but not that many - good luck though either way - let me know if i can help at all - i'd love to see this work out

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[PorscheDude]

My price point would be less than $300 for a PU splitter.

I love the look, but I drive on to many bad roads for something made of anything other than PU.

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[caffine]

[quote name='flash' post='61716' date='Oct 15 2008, 01:53 PM']kevlar? really? i might have to look into that for something else - i wonder if it's inlaid or sheet, and what they use for suspension?



as for price, that seems to be the go/no go price for most of these guys - some guys step up to the $500 plus price tag of the current unit, but not that many - good luck though either way - let me know if i can help at all - i'd love to see this work out[/quote]



Yes. Kelvar really. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Same thing I said to him and he replied yes the same stuff bulletproof vests are made of. He said it has more flexibility than the fiberglass. Thanks for the offer BTW.











[quote name='smokiemon968' post='61717' date='Oct 15 2008, 02:04 PM']My price point would be less than $300 for a PU splitter.

I love the look, but I drive on to many bad roads for something made of anything other than PU.[/quote]



I moved out here from Ellicott City last summer so I know exactly how lovely the roads are around the Baltimore/Washington area are..... LOL

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[flash]

cool



not to nitpick, but it's kevlar, not kelvar



and yes, it is a lot more flexible than fiberglass - so much so that in sheet form it needs a reinforcing compound to hold shape (such as resin) - i wonder what they are using?



danged expensive stuff too

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