Side Pod protection

[Toilet Duck]

Afternoon all,

Just interested to see what (if anything) owners with side pods have used to stop the front leading edges getting battered by stone chips etc? I remember seeing an owner of a brand new 3.5R turn up at a track day and at the end of the event the edges on his pods were completely trashed.

I've recently added pods and want to protect them before spring arrives and I start taking the car out on the road. I'm not sure paint protection film would be "man" enough to stop the damage having seen it first hand. I was thinking about making an ally plate (then spraying) but due to the acute shape of the leading edges I'm not sure it would be possible to bend around all the edges and still look ok.

Cheers

[autobackup]

TD

I fitted a double layer of 3M stone guard last June which has been quite successful with, so far there only a few nicks here and there after 5 months use on the rather dusty & stoney roads here in Cyprus

[Toilet Duck]

Cheers, is this the stuff you used? If so how do you apply it, does it have to be sprayed on?

[Fastlane]

I think he means 2 layers (or more) of 3m protective film/helicopter tape, as used by the factory on the wishbones, like this:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Stock-Cle ... :rk:7:pf:0

[autobackup]

TD

Fastlane is right - it comes on a roll and is applied using soap & water - unlike vinyl it is NOT applied with a heat gun!

You can have a go if you like but it is very (fiendishly) difficult due to the thickness of the 3M 'Stone protector' plastic film and the complex curves of the leading edges and inner surfaces of the pods.

I had a go but abandoned the attempt quite quickly and, in the end, took it to a wrapping specialist, who - as you can see in the photo - did an excellent job!

[Toilet Duck]

Many thanks

[reg]

Try giving your local 3M stockist a call.

There are a lot of 'helicopter tape' suppliers and various grades depending if you want an invisible film or something extremely robust.

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/403 ... rofile.pdf

I would also consider talking to some local fabrication places. Form a piece of Ti on the leading edges.

Or flexible sheet

https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/cur ... ibre-sheet

HTH

[Toilet Duck]

Cheers reg, that's an interesting site you linked to with all the composite materials. Going to have a read up

[Sir Nick]

[mention]reg[/mention] I nominate you project manager to come up with a sacrifical element for the leading edges of the pods. You have a lead time of 4 weeks, best get a move on!

[reg]

@reg I nominate you project manager to come up with a sacrifical element for the leading edges of the pods. You have a lead time of 4 weeks, best get a move on!

There you go. Unfortunately my sidepod design is attached to a rather expensive frame, but it's proven to work at both altitude and speed.

[

[Sir Nick]

I normally run at about 8" altitude