Skid Plate --- I Cheated!!!!

[SilverBullet75]

Hi all,
I have been wanting to do a few modifications to my VX for a long time now, but have been strapped because of our up coming wedding.
So, after building a couple VX models, I have decided to try an experiment on my VX. Many will laugh... I know.
The biggest question I'll pose to you is...
"skid plate, or not a skid plate... that is the question..."
Now... take a look at the pictures................. :cool:
!http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/100_0383.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/100_0383.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/100_0385.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/100_0385.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/100_0382.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/100_0382.jpg)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/100_0379.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/100_0379.jpg)
Let's just say... I saved myself $300 and you can only tell if you are up close and know what you are looking for!
hehehehe...
Let me know what you think! ;Dy;

[Raque Thomas]

Looks good I had considered that same method - any problem with the paint adhering? What type paint did you use - and I assume you just drilled some screws into the cladding to finish the look at the top??

[JoFotoz]

...!!!!!!!!!

jo

[SRCHN]

Hmm...Is that skidplate actually "painted" on there? From a distance...yeah, i woulda never noticed it....Wow, good stuff! :) Not really practical...but at least you've got the look!

SRCHN

[SilverBullet75]

The cladding required a good scrubbing with Laquer Thinner to remove all the shining products...
But I just used a Rustoleum Metalic spray (Aluminum)... and used many coats of clear gloss lacquer (for protection). Being that it is relatively cold (58 deg), I had to use a portable heater (radar dish type) to cook the paint between coats. I used a self-drilling polished-looking set of screws for the top. I tried my best to mimic the design of the VX02 look that many have...
I figured.. well, what good does $300 of fiberglass and paint do against a rock?... not much.
So, why not spend $10 on paints and put my art major to work, have the look I wanted, and save some bucks!
The nice thing is, if I want the real thing later, I can just mount it over the paint. :)

I'm thinking about doing the rear skid plate next! LOL!

[Anita]

Actually...

My $300 won over a rock in Moab. I almost took it off for the trip to Moab but I am glad I didnt. It saved the VX from a pretty good hit. I hand it to Ron for making a darn strong skidplate.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/7damage_moab_small.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/7damage_moab_small.jpg)

Nice job, Jim! Your VX gets better lookin' all the time. Congrats on the upcoming marriage!

[SilverBullet75]

Don't get me wrong...
I'm not at all knocking Ron or Vehicrossconcepts.com's product!
I'm just CHEAP!!!! :laugho:
Thanks Anita! :)

[transio]

The cladding required a good scrubbing with Laquer Thinner to remove all the shining products...Quick question... I'm looking for a product that will remove products but not dissolve or discolor the cladding. Does Lacquer Thinner affect the plastic at all?

Thanks!

Steve

[SilverBullet75]

Yes it does... it will fade it. I don't recommend it.
You may try Castrol SuperClean (purple)... it does pretty well.

[Ldub]

Quick question... I'm looking for a product that will remove products but not dissolve or discolor the cladding. Does Lacquer Thinner affect the plastic at all?

Thanks!

Steve

I can't say this from experience, but I've heard from more than a few others, that Simple Green works well...then maybe a "once over" with rubbing alcohol.
Looks good Silver Bullet, I've done similar front & rear, but since the fall Badlands meet it needs some touch up...oh well.
Gotta love dem "silver paint mods" :p ;)
Ldub

[Cyrk]

Nice work!!! :p

[WormGod]

Oh man! You are kidding me right? You painted that on your cladding?! You ghetto, Pep Boys loving fool you, hahahaha. You're in a time out!

[AlaskaVX]

:_iamwiths However it turned out better then I would have thought.

[jacobus]

I had to put my glasses on to see if these plates were real, amazing job, you just saved me a lot of dollars. I am definitely going to apply this to my VX, Michelangelo is turning in his grave knowing what he could have done to his renaissance buggy.
Again, a great job, different minds and talents bring out some exciting idea's among all you members

[Navigator]

Let me know what you think! ;Dy;

I think you enjoy it, and that is what really matters :smilewink

[SilverBullet75]

Nav,
It took me a bit to figure out what you meant... "Painted your paint protector"... LOL

Ironic aren't I?! LOL
But very true... I do enjoy it. I had fun doing it too.. :)

[WormGod]

It is pretty artistic, I will give you that. Totally tricked me when I first looked at it. I was like "Ok, whats the big deal?"

You know, now you need to airbrush a scoop on the hood insert, a cam in your 1/2 moon, and maybe even some 120mm cannons on driver and passenger door, heh.

:?: :thumbup:

[tomdietrying]

Looks good!

Do us a favor. Don't skimp on buying a swim suit for the summer. :p

Peace.
Tom

[SilverBullet75]

Are you saying it won't pass as spandex?
LOL

[Navigator]

Nav,
It took me a bit to figure out what you meant... "Painted your paint protector"... LOL

Ironic aren't I?! LOL
But very true... I do enjoy it. I had fun doing it too.. :)


As ironic as a mesh condom :rotate: ENJOY... :D

[Spike]

You should have at least used Line-X instead of paint ;)

[bulldog]

I think that that is inginuity at work and simply awesome and very creative,,us artist types always get down to the bare minimum of what things are about you notice that??

[ameetw]

You should have at least used Line-X instead of paint ;)


Actually that's not a bad idea, it give you the color, shape and the depth. :yesy:

[morgan-tec]

Denatured alcohol, you can get it at home depot cheap, it is safe for all plastics and paint but it will remove wax.


Quick question... I'm looking for a product that will remove products but not dissolve or discolor the cladding. Does Lacquer Thinner affect the plastic at all?

Thanks!

Steve

[Mark Miller]

I took another plunge today.
Did the painted on skid plate mod.
Thanks to SilverBullet75 for posting what he did.
I didn't take it as high, I was a little scared to go all the way.

The sun was behind the VX which made the front look darker than what it really is. I'll take a better pic.
This time I used silver Fusion paint for plastic. Then went over it with high temp aluminum paint to give it the bling. Note, I had already painted my cladding so little prep involved.
The tow hook is going back black.

http://markalexandermiller.com/VehicrossFront2.jpg

[totallto]

Wow, the black looks real good. Got me thinking about other colors!
Like Red on my black vx. :cool: