My custom skid plates project

[ThisFlyGuy]

Hey guys,
I just wanted to show a custom skid plate project I worked on for my car.

These are made exactly with the same material and same way as those Ferrari and Lamborghini skid plates. These are cut from polyethylene plastic, which have good impact and abrasion resistance.

I worked with a mechanical engineer to get these drawn up in CAD and cut from a CNC machine. I made these to incorporate OEM bolts so any DIY'er can put these on within minutes.

These will be attached with 3m double sided tape along the front edge along with the 3 oem bolts below the splitter. These have a 1/16 inch wiggle room since your bumper might be a tad off than mine. *** Holes look big, but they are cut to fit the oem washers that are locked on the bolts ***

I figure this is a nice little addition to preventing unwanted and unavoidable scrapes.

Let me know what you think
BTW: I have two sets of these for sale if anyone is interested and can make more anytime.

[PhilT3]

Nice! How much?

[is300wrx]

Ingenious idea solving everyday problems. This will prevent a costly respray/repair for your bumper. How much?

[MyF15+F85]

Now that is really something,
very fresh idea !
If the price is going to be fair... watch these babies go like hot cakes.
Really niche idea
Good luck

[mcvaughan]

Nice! I like these. Pm price?

[ThisFlyGuy]

Thanks for the feedback on them so far guys. Looks like there's quite a need for these lol.

I PM'd those who asked about pricing.

[v3n0m]

Please pm me the price as well. Thanks!

[JetBee]

pm please

[WPGM5]

Please pm price. Thanks and great thinking!

[2ndlife]

PLease pm price! Thanks and what a simple but nice idea!

[steveM5-UK]

Whilst I think the product is a good idea, I have got to question why the need to hide the price? Why have to PM for it. Are you charging everyone a different price?

This way of selling always puts me off, much like going in to a store that has no prices on anything. Just my thoughts.

[alvinabed]

interested!! PM me

[ozbmwnut]

good idea, and look very professionally made..

wanna export some to here in AUS???

[ThisFlyGuy]

Originally Posted by steveM5-UK

Whilst I think the product is a good idea, I have got to question why the need to hide the price? Why have to PM for it. Are you charging everyone a different price?

This way of selling always puts me off, much like going in to a store that has no prices on anything. Just my thoughts.

I'm not hiding the price. I'm just an individual who had a need and made something out of it. I didn't expect this much interest and since this is not the sales section, nor me being a sponsor, I didn't want to discuss pricing. However since I'm getting flooded with messages of interest, I've messaged everyone (US residents) that it is $175 priority shipped which includes paypal fees.

I need to discuss with the international folks what shipping would be since I do not know the shipping logistics abroad (Canada, UK, Aus, etc.). Upon looking on the USPS site and international priority flat rates, it ranges anywhere from $40-60 depending on size. I could use some suggestions for sure.

[ThisFlyGuy]

Originally Posted by ozbmwnut

good idea, and look very professionally made..

wanna export some to here in AUS???

Thank you and sure, but have no idea how to lol

[Mr_M5Guy]

i want! great idea

[Spinny02]

+1 on price

[steveM5-UK]

Thanks for the reply. As I've said, great idea.

A couple of questions though.

What are they made of? What grade of polypropylene?

What is the density and hardness?

The reason for my questions is that with applying them, you are in effect lowering the front albeit by less than 15mm. However, if the grade and density is not pliable enough the shock of the scrape could deform the actual bumper.

If it was a low grade soft material, this would absorb/ disintegrate thus protecting the bumper. A sacrificial limb so to say. Again just a few thoughts that fitting them would raise for me.

Might I also suggest that when fitting that a washer is used on the bolt head thus spreading the load pressure a little more.

[Bönz]

I share Steve's concerns. While these look cool, they reduce clearance slightly so that they will hit, when the factory fascia surface would not. If it's a subtle scrape, no big deal - although in this case you would not have scraped without them.

If it's a bigger hit (interference), then being screwed through the RIM fascia, they are likely to transfer the load and cause damage whereas in there absence the load would have been far less. No matter what grade of PE, these are harder than RIM PU from which the fascia is molded. Screwed into place as they are, I don't see really how they are sacrificial.

Again, I think they are nice and well designed. In certain specific cases they will help. But overall, I think a better solution is to just not hit the curb to begin with. I have not had one instance of this kind of scrape with my E39 M5, E92 M3 or F13 650i. Not bragging, just saying. Be careful.

[ThisFlyGuy]

The material is 3/8" thick that has been cut with a beveled edge.

This is the description from the manufacturer:
1/3 less weight than solid (foamed core)
Closed/small cell structures - non absorbent
Weatherability (UV stabilized)
Solid skinned surface
RoHS compliant

HDPE is produced utilizing co-extrusion technology that allows for solid outer surfaces with foamed core. The core is produced with a closed cell structure that eliminates propagation of moisture within core. It weighs 1/3 less than solid HDPE.

I made this as an added extra protection in addition to being careful when driving. In no way am I saying this will be a complete indestructible shield for your bumper against scrapes- if you hit anything hard enough at any angle, it very well could damage the bumper. This was just made to give a little more peace from scraping the bumper.

Not sure if you could tell, but the last picture is showing it fitted with the OEM bolts, that have the washer integrated on there already. Each of the 3 bolts have locked washers which my hole have been cut to fit (looks a bit camoflouged in the black in the last pic).

[ThisFlyGuy]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

+1 on price

$175 priority shipped that includes paypal fee for US residents.

For the international folk that have been asking, I'm still researching.

[Mbdurham17]

Please PM price

Edit just saw the above post