Fender spats

[ollie2906]

Hi Steve,
The process is reasonably involved. 1) make paper patterns 2) digitiz the patterns, so loading details into computer, 3) Computer with special cutting machine attached cuts invisi-shield to size, 3) product applied after spraying soapy water to paint and using small squeegy to expel water and air. Very time consuming, especially on the Cobra. Some parts are easy to apply, but when you have large areas with curves on curves it becomes more difficult. On my car they in fact didn't use the invisi shield but another brand which has more stretch, but they use both brands. The blurb says will protect paint at 220kph from chipping. Time will tell. If you want details of guy in Sydney who is doing this I am happy to supply. You could easily do side spats yourself. I have also used it on rubbing points in the engine bay, where cables move on paint and polished aluminium. Also as mounting pad where brackets are attached to polished stainless etc. Anything else you want to know drop me an email.
robpurc@au1.ibm.com
regards
Rob

[07cob]

I used a product from a local company called ozicozi. It is supplied in a roll and the application process is similar to Rob's explanation in the previous post. The chap I spoke to was very helpful and even sent a tempate with the material that he had done for someone with an "original" Cobra. I just cut mine with scissors. Here is the website:

http://www.ozicozi.com.au/

The product is reasonably easy to apply as it strectches very well around curves. However, I had some problems with the concave lip on the wheel arch on my Harrison. It is sharp enough that I couldn't get the material to stick. A more experienced fitter may be able to manage this. As a result, I have a good demonstration of the effectiveness of the product. After 12000km, the paint not covered by the film is peppered with stonechips.

Another consideration is a product from Goop! This is more of a temporary protection (up to 6 months) that can easily be peeled off. The finish is rougher than the 3M type film, but it can be applied to any shaped surface. More like something that could be used for a longer trip e.g. Nationals, Summernats, Wintersun etc. There is a reference to it in the March 2009 edition of Street Machine (p54) that sounds positive. Here is a link:

http://www.goopguys.com.au/category/3/default.asp

Cheers

Geof

[Merv and Sharon]

There is an installer of the Ozicozi stuff in Brisbane - he comes to your house and does it. Will cut it or use his existing Cobra templates.

Merv

[Merv and Sharon]

Seems I got the product Venture Shield. Not to hard to fit in most areas but around the rear wheel arch can be tricky with so many curves. I fitted it along the sills as I am not having sidepipes. The aluminium section also goes under the frame about a cm.



Merv

[Merv and Sharon]

The trimmer who was going to have made the grey spats for my Harrison seems to have disappeared. So I have a few options: get another trimmer; make them myself or get stainless stone guards.

I am advised by Warwick and Snakebite, however, that the steel stoneguards are no longer available for the Harrison. Does anyone know about this? is there another one that fits?

Merv

[spookypt]

Merv, I had been chasing some stainless spats for ages but Don P maker don't make em anymore and the last set Warwick put on a car he wasn't impressed by so I went Craigs route and made myself some of these. Took some fluffing to get them right but I have myself a fantastic upholsterer! Cost now I'd expect would be over $400 WITHOUT leather included! OUCH!

[spookypt]

NEW SPATS!

[Merv and Sharon]

These look perfect! Did he keep a template? I was going to get them done in a durable vinyl with a felt (or similar) backing?

Any chance you could PM me the name and I could have a chat with him?

Merv

[Merv and Sharon]

Alternatively, Spook can u make a template of one of them (outside dimensions) and send it to me? I could get it made up here.

Merv

[400TT]

Great looking splats. Glad you went that path, they really suit the look of your Cobra.

Nice job as well, they look even better than my old ones. I really enjoyed having leather ones. I will be getting leather ones again on the next Cobra.

[Mando]

Spookypt, they look fantastic, I love the way they sit flat without extra padding. I reckon theyre the best Ive ever seen.

Regards.

[Merv and Sharon]

Out of curiosity Craig, why leather and not a more durable vinyl?

Merv

[spookypt]

Thanks Mando! Yep, there's a few tricks to get em to sit well!

Merv, mate the only to make these work is template off your specific car. I actually templated them using the leather itself and then I made them fit. The trick is to use a very soft leather. Even more of a trick is making what you plan on securing them with actually affix properly. The leather I used came from a job I was doing where I had bought about 50 hides of fully corrected leather but still super soft and supple!

SpookyPT

[Merv and Sharon]

No worries Spooky. I thought, Harrisons would not be that different from each other these days and an outline template would be a good starting point for shaping and fitting.

Thanks anyway,

Merv

[SandyC]

I would be concerned about dust/dirt getting under leather or vinyl spats and then having wind buffet and mechanical vibrations turn spat into sandpaper on finish. I've seen this on front bras and once you put them on you can never take them off because after awhile the finish gets sanded dull under the bra and you have unsightly gloss differential if the bra is taken off. Is this not something to be mindful of?

[Merv and Sharon]

Sandy - I will let others comment here, but I have not heard that at all - if they are well fitted and properly backed.

Merv

[spookypt]

Sandy, all good points. I have a put a very soft foam on the back to avid such problems. It covered all the stitching etc. They are pulled very tight too which help to eliniate rubbing although I'm sure some will occur.

You have to do a special stitch (Italian fold) on the edge to avoid the spat going all funny and puckering on the rounded corners....

The results are still great despite all these litle niggling factors...

Merv, sorry but the only way to template was to make out of the actual leather. All my other templates failed!!

SpookyPT

[Krait]

Hi,

The Saudi's have a more down to earth approach to the paint protection problem caused by sand. Perhaps it could be coloured to match.





Cheers

[trularin]

I am thinking of doing the spats thing as my car will be in paint for a third time from stone chips.

I do not have a top, but like the black leather ones.

So, does the leather rub the paint and leave marks?

When they wrap under the fender lip, what do you use to attach them there?

I have body mount snaps I can put up by the roll bar, does the spat flap in the wind at speeds?

I am worried about rub marks.

Thanks for any input.

[Wazza]

I'm wondering if the leather / vinyl spats will look a bit rough after being hit a few times.

I'd expect them to be just as easily damaged , or even more easily damaged than the paint they're meant to protect ?!....No ?