Mirror fairing project
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Mirror fairing project
I started working on this about 15 years ago off and on and now they are finished.Originally I was going to make a mold of these and cast them but now with 3D printing gaining in popularity I'd like to have them 3D printed. I've got a vague understanding of the process but now completely clear on how it works. These started as GM pieces that I completely reworded until I got something I liked,while they do seem just a little big they can always be reshaped once a part is printed. Why don't I reshape them before I have them printed,I want shape options afterwards. Here's something I never knew,evidently one of the mirrors is smaller than the other,both these parts fit the mirrors perfect. Anybody here got a lot of experience with 3D modeling?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
It stops the wind from coming in the car from around the mirrors when the windows down. Next time your driving your car with the window down put your hand around the base of the mirror where it's bolted to the car,these things work.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 483
Likes: 109
From: Fairfax, Virginia
I started working on this about 15 years ago off and on and now they are finished.Originally I was going to make a mold of these and cast them but now with 3D printing gaining in popularity I'd like to have them 3D printed. I've got a vague understanding of the process but now completely clear on how it works. These started as GM pieces that I completely reworded until I got something I liked,while they do seem just a little big they can always be reshaped once a part is printed. Why don't I reshape them before I have them printed,I want shape options afterwards. Here's something I never knew,evidently one of the mirrors is smaller than the other,both these parts fit the mirrors perfect. Anybody here got a lot of experience with 3D modeling?
The modeling aspect can be pretty simple, since these are flat and not gloss you can use a technique called photogrammetry. Basically you walk around the subject while recording a high res video, it's what I'm using to "scan" the early C4 hood to produce an large intake LS friendly cowl. From there it's mesh smoothing and dimensional verification, and then you have a final CAD model after a few test prints.
The process is very simple but takes a robust computer, I can help with any part of the process after I'm back stateside.
As an additional step you still could cast them out of a high durometer urethane and such, once you have a 3D printed part in hand all you need is to sand it smooth it, seal it with epoxy, spray it with mold release, and dip it into silicone mold maker.
Last edited by ThatOneKid; Jun 17, 2021 at 12:51 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 579
From: Mays Landing, NJ
My 91 didn't have them but my 95 does and it is amazing the difference with the windows down. Well worth having.
Last edited by CorvetteRules; Jun 17, 2021 at 08:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 383
From: Northern California
After I bought my '89 I had the same idea, so I bought the GM OEM deflectors for the convertible and put them on my coupe. I can confirm they made a difference in the wind turbulence with the windows down - it was much reduced so I have kept them on ever since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
you mentioned reshaping after it's printed. Normally 3D prints that big are not solid. They would be between 20-50% infill with a shell around 1.6mm thick.
So if you plan to change shape with sanding you want to make sure the print is either solid (adds to cost if your using a commercial printing company)
Several ways to get the shape into CAD:
Draw from scratch
photogrammetry as mentioned. Works best with a stationary camera and a turntable for smaller objects. The moving camera of course is used for things like statues of cars
Laser scanning if you have access to the equipment.
Whichever way you need a CAD file.
Then you convert to a stereolithography file (STL(
The STL file is run through slicing software to create the gcode file to dun the printer.
Of course once you have the STL you can just load it to a website and they will cost it out, print it and ship. The advantage of this would be no investment in equipment and supplies.
So if you plan to change shape with sanding you want to make sure the print is either solid (adds to cost if your using a commercial printing company)
Several ways to get the shape into CAD:
Draw from scratch
photogrammetry as mentioned. Works best with a stationary camera and a turntable for smaller objects. The moving camera of course is used for things like statues of cars
Laser scanning if you have access to the equipment.
Whichever way you need a CAD file.
Then you convert to a stereolithography file (STL(
The STL file is run through slicing software to create the gcode file to dun the printer.
Of course once you have the STL you can just load it to a website and they will cost it out, print it and ship. The advantage of this would be no investment in equipment and supplies.
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