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UTV's Off Road ( RZR, YXZ, Mini Buggy, Carts,etc.) => UTV Chassis and Suspension => Topic started by: CrazyFastFab on June 15, 2012, 12:50:28 PM

Title: Side Panels
Post by: CrazyFastFab on June 15, 2012, 12:50:28 PM
What have you guys been using for side panels?  The rail in the picture has 1/8" Aluminum panels.  Worked good and didn't vibrate making a bunch on noise.  When I got the stuff that was powdercoated it drove me crazy with all of the noise.  I have heard of using plastic sheets from dirt track cars but don't have any idea where to get it.  Enemy's car looks like aluminium with some kind of rubber backing.  How does that work?

Thanks,
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Carlriddle on June 15, 2012, 01:02:46 PM
I used something called al-clad.  Alum ea side with a plastic core.   Sign companies use it.  Can come pre colored too.  Seemed quiter than solid alum, bent well, but no welding.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Enemy on June 15, 2012, 01:47:14 PM
I used 14g (if memory serves me correctly  ;) ) aluminum for my side panels. Had a interior friend of mine cover the inside with a  simulated carbon-fiber looking vinyl type material to deaden the noise. Work rather well! Floor is 1/8" aluminum covered with Hydro-Turf. Great for traction and the ultimate in noise cancellation, and keeps bare feet happy!
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Enemy on June 15, 2012, 01:49:40 PM
I used something called al-clad.  Alum ea side with a plastic core.   Sign companies use it.  Can come pre colored too.  Seemed quiter than solid alum, bent well, but no welding.

How was it to cut that stuff and what did you use?? Thought about trying it on another project.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Carlriddle on June 15, 2012, 03:41:59 PM
How was it to cut that stuff and what did you use?? Thought about trying it on another project.
80 tooth circular saw blade turned backwards. Fine tooth jigsaw for curves. Cuts like butter! 

Btw 4x8 sheet $50 at local sign shop
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: fabr on June 15, 2012, 04:19:21 PM
I used something called al-clad.  Alum ea side with a plastic core.   Sign companies use it.  Can come pre colored too.  Seemed quiter than solid alum, bent well, but no welding.
Peeps at Tulsa Plastics yesterday called it Del-Cor .Thin ally each side with PVC core. Buddy was checking on what to use for signs on his building. About 75 bux a 4x8 sheet and approx 25 bux a sheet for WJ'ing a bunch of stuff from it. Pretty cheap IMO.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: chuckorlando on July 09, 2012, 06:09:46 AM
I used racing plastic from speedway motors. But my side rails are not all that wide apart.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: dsrace on July 10, 2012, 07:30:50 AM
i use 14 gauge or 16 on side panels too.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: fabr on July 10, 2012, 08:07:46 AM
Custom fiberglass. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Voodoochikin04 on July 10, 2012, 11:40:32 AM
I attempted the dirt track plastic from speedway.  Its not good for multi angle sides, and not good for wide spans...  You need to screw, rivet, or whatever you use every 2inches or so to avoid warping.  (which happened minutes after getting into the sunlight)....

thats just my experience with it.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: fabr on July 10, 2012, 01:18:33 PM
I attempted the dirt track plastic from speedway.  Its not good for multi angle sides, and not good for wide spans...  You need to screw, rivet, or whatever you use every 2inches or so to avoid warping.  (which happened minutes after getting into the sunlight)....

thats just my experience with it.
+1
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Carlriddle on July 10, 2012, 02:24:34 PM
The sign stuff, I've used two different types.  One was corragated inside, similar to carboard.  It was ok prob stiffer actually did my floor in it on old rail. 
The other had a solid black core, looked like abs plactic.  Bends easier w/o crinkles. 
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: chuckorlando on July 10, 2012, 05:08:08 PM
Yeap it was floppy as hell. But like I said I dont have much space they needed to span. But on my widest piece which is about 1.5ft wide, I ran 1inx1/4in piece of alum behind it with a slight bow to push out. Works great in the right application and price range
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Grimm Reaper Racing on July 17, 2012, 07:51:18 AM
I'm using 0.09 to .125 alum for molds and then using carbon fiber.
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: fabr on July 18, 2012, 12:27:34 PM
Cool,vacumn forming?
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Carlriddle on July 18, 2012, 02:35:34 PM
I'm using 0.09 to .125 alum for molds and then using carbon fiber.

This is worthless without pics!  Dont hold out on us.   ;D
Title: Re: Side Panels
Post by: Grimm Reaper Racing on July 18, 2012, 10:15:18 PM
I'm going to use prepreg and I've got access to a huge autoclave.
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