Skid Plate --- I Cheated!!!!

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/da...s/100_0383.jpghttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/100_0385.jpghttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/100_0382.jpghttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...s/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;

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??

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

jo

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

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!

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/da...moab_small.jpg

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

The cladding required a good scrubbing with Laquer Thinner to remove all the shining products...

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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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by transio

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

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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

Nice work!!! :p

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!

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SilverBullet75

Let me know what you think! ;Dy;

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

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.. :)

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:

Looks good!

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

Peace.
Tom

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.. :)

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

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

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??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spike

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

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by transio

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

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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

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