Making replacement thin plastic parts isn't a no brainier but isn't all that
difficult either.
If you have the part to be duplicated you just spray the inside or outside
of the part down with Pam.
Next you mix up epoxy and lightly coat the Pam side of the part. After the
thin epoxy coat has dried lay on a layer of fiberglass fabric of your
choice. Let that cure and decide if you need more fabric as a stiffener.
You can build on this as much as necessary for strength.
Separate the part from the poor condition original.
You may need to fill tiny blemishes with body filler and sand them out.
There you've just created a fiberglass mold to pull many cloned parts from.
You just build the parts just like you built the mold.
(Some people prefer plaster of paris for a quickie mold but the time for
either is about the same since the plaster mold has to cure and be coated
with a release agent such as fiberglass waxed out to a high shine.)
------------------------------
If you just want one part it's pretty intense but worth the effort if you
can sell a few to fellow VW owners along the way.
------------------------------
Have I ever done this? Yes. Many times.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "jbange" <hfinn@INGRATES.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: making obsolete plastic parts.? Re: '80-'84 westy plastic pass
Curtain rod cover

> >
> >regarding reproducing the '80-'84 westy  right rear plastic curtain rod
cover
> >- well i have a few "donors" here.. i just need to locate someone who
does
> >plastic extrusion or injection molding..    do u know anyone?
>
> You might want to have a look over at <emachineshop.com>; they say they do
> plastic extrusions <http://tinyurl.com/c6g2s>. This sounds like exactly
the
> sort of thing they'd be good for. They have a mini-CAD application that
you
> download and use to design the part you need and select the material and
> process for making it. You hit the submit button and they give you back
> instant price quotes for various quantities, from 1 to 1000+. I imagine
> they'd be handy for all sorts of weird small scale stuff like this.
>
> John Bange
> '90 Vanagon "Geldsauger"
> 9 months owned - $11144 "invested"
>
>
> --
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>
>