I need some help, and I know there are some folks here with plastic
knowledge. I have done web searches but found that I don't know what kind
of plastic I need.

I removed the big rear fender on my motorcycle for aesthetic reasons. It
has worked out great but I have a odd shaped gap that is leftover, and I
want to cover it up.

Basically I want to buy some kind of black plastic sheet around 3/32" thick
and cut it to the exact shape I need, then mechanically fasten it to the
existing bodywork. It needs to be slightly flexible, and most of all
durable to weather, sunlight, and the elements for many years. I have not
yet measured but I think a 12"x12" piece would work, maybe slightly larger I
won't know without cutting a cardboard template and measuring the overall
size. I just need to know what kind of material I should be looking for,
and an economical source would be great. There are too many varieties of
plastic acronyms for me to just guess.

Can anybody give me some tips?

THANKS!
--Dan

In article ,
"dg" wrote:

I need some help, and I know there are some folks here with plastic
knowledge. I have done web searches but found that I don't know what kind
of plastic I need.

I removed the big rear fender on my motorcycle for aesthetic reasons. It
has worked out great but I have a odd shaped gap that is leftover, and I
want to cover it up.

Basically I want to buy some kind of black plastic sheet around 3/32" thick
and cut it to the exact shape I need, then mechanically fasten it to the
existing bodywork. It needs to be slightly flexible, and most of all
durable to weather, sunlight, and the elements for many years. I have not
yet measured but I think a 12"x12" piece would work, maybe slightly larger I
won't know without cutting a cardboard template and measuring the overall
size. I just need to know what kind of material I should be looking for,
and an economical source would be great. There are too many varieties of
plastic acronyms for me to just guess.

Can anybody give me some tips?

Slice open & flatten with heat a black plastic 5-gal bucket?

--
Free men own guns, slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

"dg" wrote in message
. ..

Basically I want to buy some kind of black plastic sheet around 3/32"
thick and cut it to the exact shape I need, then mechanically fasten it to
the existing bodywork. It needs to be slightly flexible, and most of all
durable to weather, sunlight, and the elements for many years. I have not
yet measured but I think a 12"x12" piece would work, maybe slightly larger
I won't know without cutting a cardboard template and measuring the
overall size. I just need to know what kind of material I should be
looking for, and an economical source would be great. There are too many
varieties of plastic acronyms for me to just guess.

Polypropylene is frequently used for automotive body parts. It'll require
special finishing techniques, because, like most polyolefins, not much
sticks to it.

LLoyd

Go to www.mcmaster.com and near the bottom right of their home page
under materials, click on plastics. Surf and read from there. Most
likely polyethylene would do, and it is going to be the cheapest
plastic, but be sure to get a UV-safe grade that can take sunlight.


--
Regards,
Carl Ijames carl.ijames at verizon.net

Check with a REAL auto speed shop. We buy some similar stock for race
car body filler pieces. Multiple colors, black is most common. Sells by
the foot.

dg wrote:

I need some help, and I know there are some folks here with plastic
knowledge. I have done web searches but found that I don't know what kind
of plastic I need.

I removed the big rear fender on my motorcycle for aesthetic reasons. It
has worked out great but I have a odd shaped gap that is leftover, and I
want to cover it up.

Basically I want to buy some kind of black plastic sheet around 3/32" thick
and cut it to the exact shape I need, then mechanically fasten it to the
existing bodywork. It needs to be slightly flexible, and most of all
durable to weather, sunlight, and the elements for many years. I have not
yet measured but I think a 12"x12" piece would work, maybe slightly larger I
won't know without cutting a cardboard template and measuring the overall
size. I just need to know what kind of material I should be looking for,
and an economical source would be great. There are too many varieties of
plastic acronyms for me to just guess.

Can anybody give me some tips?

THANKS!
--Dan

On Thu, 06 Oct 2005 05:11:33 GMT, "dg" wrote:

I need some help, and I know there are some folks here with plastic
knowledge. I have done web searches but found that I don't know what kind
of plastic I need.

I removed the big rear fender on my motorcycle for aesthetic reasons. It
has worked out great but I have a odd shaped gap that is leftover, and I
want to cover it up.

Basically I want to buy some kind of black plastic sheet around 3/32" thick
and cut it to the exact shape I need, then mechanically fasten it to the
existing bodywork. It needs to be slightly flexible, and most of all
durable to weather, sunlight, and the elements for many years. I have not
yet measured but I think a 12"x12" piece would work, maybe slightly larger I
won't know without cutting a cardboard template and measuring the overall
size. I just need to know what kind of material I should be looking for,
and an economical source would be great. There are too many varieties of
plastic acronyms for me to just guess.

Can anybody give me some tips?

THANKS!
--Dan

Polypropylene. Many cars have polyprop "bumpers" nowadays. It can
be formed with a hot air gun, can also be welded with a little
practice. Automotive primers are available that work well on
polyprop, then you can shoot any color you like on the primer.

In article ,
says...
I need some help, and I know there are some folks here with plastic
knowledge. I have done web searches but found that I don't know what kind
of plastic I need.

I removed the big rear fender on my motorcycle for aesthetic reasons. It
has worked out great but I have a odd shaped gap that is leftover, and I
want to cover it up.

Basically I want to buy some kind of black plastic sheet around 3/32" thick
and cut it to the exact shape I need, then mechanically fasten it to the
existing bodywork. It needs to be slightly flexible, and most of all
durable to weather, sunlight, and the elements for many years. I have not
yet measured but I think a 12"x12" piece would work, maybe slightly larger I
won't know without cutting a cardboard template and measuring the overall
size. I just need to know what kind of material I should be looking for,
and an economical source would be great. There are too many varieties of
plastic acronyms for me to just guess.

Can anybody give me some tips?


ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) would be a good
choice. It's tough, inexepensive, and available in black.
McMaster p/n 8586K161 is a 12x12x1/8 sheet for $6.19. Page
3315 in the catalog.

Ned Simmons