Hood Fangs for sale?

[marximus]

howdy all,
as you may have read, i decided to try and make some hood fang extenders last weekdend, and it turned out well. i went through about three trial before i made the perfect fang (in my opinion). these pictures are of the plug, im still prepping it for molding. my question to u all is, are you interested in a set of fangs for $20? maybe less, but that is my initially high estimate. dont worry, i dont want a sale list, i just want a ballpark of how many would be interested.

i am also trying to decide the best material to use to make them. my thought was hard rubber might not be bad, otherwise just abs plastic. what do u think?

here are the pics

[marximus]

this is of the evolution of the fang, first trial being farthest. last trial being closest.

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/PC062307.JPG

[marximus]

here is a shot from the front...

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/PC062309.JPG

[Apostle]

show pic of them on V

[marximus]

here is a size relation to the VX. sorry my car is dirty, i went off roading last weekend as well.;Db; the fang is just laid on, so it is straight on the hood , not curved like it should be, so just try to imagine it curved on the hood.;)

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/PC062313.JPG

[marximus]

also, thats nt the color, just the color of the primer. they are most likely gonna be black.

[Apostle]

Im interested, but need to see what it looks like complete. both on, front shot, side shot, painted, etc. choosey(sp?) buyer i guess

[Raque Thomas]

I would definitely be interested - let me know when they are done!

[Ldub]

Marximus,

If this plan becomes reality you can put me down for a pair (primed only), for twenty bucks?...Hell Yeah!

Of course, I'll expect a slight discount for helping to steer you away from the eventual deforestation of the entire planet.:D :D

Seriously, pm or email me when you get there.

Ldub

[marximus]

hello all,
thanks for the interest, i will definitely email or pm you when they are done. i have been putting a lot of time into them, so i am hoping to have them done by the weekend. ill keep you all imformed on the progress on this thread. tomorow i will be making the mold, and ill tell you all how it goes.:)
mark-

[Amack76]

im in i've been waiting 2 years for good ones (won't buy wood ones)

[Cyrk]

Looks great! I'll take a pair... can you make the same color of the stock insert so that they blend in?

[marximus]

i assume by "insert" you mean the hood peice? yes, i could always try, but the problem is the slight texture of the hood, it would be a challenge to mimic it. right now, the plug has a smooth finish. it is certainly something that you could try with your set though.;Db;

[ron]

Well...well...well...

Not bad for someone who e-mailed me not too long ago inquiring about my set. Anyway, just want to wish you congrats and good job on the craftmanship. From the photos, it looks pretty clean and similar to the set I'll selling as well soon. And for $20, I must say that this IS definitely a GREAT deal for those interested in the accessory.

Question, you mentioned you may be offering these in ABS plastic, are you mixing ABS resin for the end product or another type of 2-part resin?

Also, some tips, using the 3M double-sided adhesive automotive tape will be strong enough to withstand natures harshest elements from cold freezing snow to high heats. Mine have been on for over a year now without any signs of delamination fromt he insert. If you plan to offer them painted go with any automotive paint using Isuzu's color codes to match the factory colors. And top it off with the applicable clearcoat that is UV protective as this will ensure the color richness and durability of the finish. Lastly, in terms of positioning, I faintly drew a thin line on the insert using a pencil with a long straight edge that lined up with the window washer nozzle to the center of the aluminum fang on the grill. Using the line as reference line up the point of the front part of the fang on the line along with the center of the tail end and place equidistant from the front edge of the insert or go as close as you want.

Anyways, good to see a fellow fabricator come on board to offer the community other options of accessories. Good work and hope to see more stuff from ya' in the future.

Just don't go duplicating my skidplates!!!! ;)

[marximus]

ha ha:p , well i dont believe i can ever master your craftmanship with the skip plates. and dont get me wrong, im sure yours hood fangs are awesome, its just that while im doin my own fangs, its not that hard to make more from the mold. i am not even looking for a profit from the sales, just a compinsation for the price of the materials. i love doin this stuff, so that is my reward.

i am using a similar product to the 3M double adhesive, and i agree, its awesome stuff. i have used it to put on the VX badge kit rather than epoxy it on, and it holds it very well. the tape was designed for putting panels on cars, but i cant recall the name, and i dont have it with me at the moment...

as for the material it will be made out of, i havent yet decided. i had the idea of trying to vacuum form abs plastic sheets to the mold like i have done making model boat hulls, but i threw that idea out and have decided to make them solid. i think that i will try using an epoxy plastic and also a rubber, and as i asked previously, im open to suggestions...

thanks ron for the tips, and to all here, ron has awesome hood fangs that u should check out.

here is his site (http://vehicrossconcepts.homestead.com/products.html)

mark-

[ron]

Originally posted by marximus
i am not even looking for a profit from the sales, just a compinsation for the price of the materials. i love doin this stuff, so that is my reward.


Believe me, the VX accessory market is not one to venture in acquiring wealth. My "profits" get quickly turned around into reinvesting in the creation and development of new products for the VX. Sometimes the product succeeds. Other times, it fails. But overall, it balances itself out one way or another. My passion in creating these products are just that, passion. And like you, I find great interest and joy in developing a product and exposing it to the world for those to admire or ridicule. Doesn't matter who thinks what, the point is that it's YOUR creation. Like all ambitions, this IS just a small example of anyone wishing to push the envelope of their ideas no matter how wacky or mundane. Actions like this SHOULD be encouraged rather than DISCOURAGED. So from one fabricator to the next, I say PUSH ON and don't look back. I'm sure that's probably what the Isuzu Design team had said something similar to that respect regarding the revealing of the VX for the first time.

Regarding duplicating your fangs, vacuum-forming probably wouldn't work or be the best solution. One, because you'd have to have the fangs already pre-bent to the same curve as found on the surface of the insert. Since a facuum-formed part is pretty much fixed in its shape. Also attaching it to the insert would be difficult since you would have a hollow cavity and no real surface area to attach the double-sided tape.

What I intend is to create silicone rubber negative molds from the ABS machined fangs that I have currently. Once the molds are cured, you would have a negative impression of the fangs in the silicone mold. Simply mix a 2-part resin such as "fast-cast" which is quite durable, sandable, paintable, and will cure in minutes and pour or inject into your silicone mold. Once cured and hardened, pop the part out and hand finish to the level of painting. The whole process is quite easy and quick, except for the painting process. One quick note, it helps to have a vacuum-chamber to "de-gas" your silicone mixture to force all the bubbles out otherwise you'll end up with a part with a lot of bubble pits throughout your part which you'll have to remedy with bondo later.

Good luck & hope this helps.

[marximus]

ya, i decided not to go with the vacuum formed fangs because it is not curved to the hood as is, and more importantly, it wouldnt be as durable.

as for making the negative mold, u might want to check this site out if u dont have the silicon yet.
https://www.polytek.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html

what are your thoughts on just plane old plaster of paris? i was considering using just this for economic reasons, and since the plug is so simple, it shouldnt be a problem demolding.

mark-

[Child's Play]

Put me down as interested as well. Sounds like this would be great, but cheap upgrade.

[marximus]

here where i am at so far, i just made the mold, and am getting ready to start pumping them out. when i have the first set ready, ill email first on list then next...ect.

so these are just some pics of the mold...
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/PC072323.JPG

[marximus]

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/PC072326.JPG

[marximus]

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/PC072327.JPG

[kpaske]

Is that plaster of paris? Can that be used to make a mold for fiberglass parts?

[Newports]

im pretty sure if u give it a light coat of oil on the cast and use something called kiddie hair, it would work. i never used kiddie hair only cuz i cant find any, but i think it would work, or maybe automotive clay

[Geoman]

Nice job!! Very clean looking...blends in well with the hood...put me down for a set when completed...E-mail me...Thanks!!!
(It would definitely look better with same color as the hood insert)

[Cyrk]

You should see Naoki's website and his fangs, look nice!

http://vehi.web.infoseek.co.jp/rein2/rein2.htm


http://vehi.web.infoseek.co.jp/rein2/13.JPG

[marximus]

wow, those are nice. i like how they make the hood look like it has some depth.

okay, heres the update on the fangs. i ordered silocon rubber to make the true mold and the plastic to make them. that will be here on monday. i should get the first set ready by tuesday or wed. at the latest.

since i will have the weekend free, would there be any interest in me fabricating some fangs to look like the ones cyrk posted? i will have extra silicon, and so it wouldnt be a problem to make another mold. plus, the more options the better, right?

[Cyrk]

Yea his match the ones on the VX02 and the VX-4... like that. Plus I like how they start right at the front of the hood insert.



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/6vxo2.jpg



http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/511/82vx4front.jpg

[VCrossfan]

Hey marximus: Looks nice, put me down for a set of your originals like in post #21

[marximus]

your on the list now Vcrossfan. well, i decided to try and make the fangs posted since i wasnt doing anything at the moment, and it went well. i made them in no time. so if anyone wants them, let me know. otherwise i wont make a mold for them.

i still like the ones i made first better, so thats whats going on my VX. they seem to tie in with the wedges on the lights nicely. ;Db;

[marximus]

i made the first fang from the mold, looks awesome!

[marximus]

okay, first set are primed and ready.

[vxpac]

the fangs look sweet!!!! i'd love to get a pair.

i live in the south end of seattle so could meet you somewhere to save the hassle of shipping. thanks, let me know.

[MZ-N10]

its nice man....im interested but im kinda confused on how it looks like.....u got a picture of the most recent one?
________
DennisTightAss (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/DennisTightAss)

[marximus]

there are two sets that im woorking on. the originals are the ones im selling. they are the ones posted with the mold taken. ill have a pic of the final product in one mintue, i just put them on my car, so ill go take a pic...

[marximus]

here are the pics. sorry the quality of the pictures isnt good. ill take some tomorow if i get the chance.

the quality of the fangs are pretty good, they are make out of an epoxy plastic that is flexible yet durable, somewhat like the cladding.

i did a rush job on the set that on my car and as a result you can see the double adhesive tape i used to mount them(the grey line beneath the fang), but this is a general idea of what they look like.

--the price is changed to $25--... and i dont think that i will be painting them, only priming, because the cost of paint would make me lose money on these fangs, and as of now, im just breaking even if i sell 15 at $25. im not looking to make a profit though, so its all good. ill post some pics of just the fangs primed... oh ya, and that $25 includes shipping.
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1261.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1264.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1266.JPG

[Ldub]

Lookin good Marximus !, I'm ready when you start poppin em out.

Ldub

[Apostle]

Yup, i want a set, how do you accept payment?

[marximus]

they are popping out... about two a day. so far i have one set ready to sell(i made two the other day, one of which was my set). i cant make any today, i have to go meet with some cousins, but ill get back on it monday.

i prefer Paypal. just send the payment to my email address, and be sure to include your shipping address, and i will get a set out to you asap.

if you dont want to use paypal, then you can send a check or money order to my name:
Mark H Holsman
but you will have to wait till the payment clears before i will send a set to you.

i wil get some close up pics in one mooment...

[marximus]

here are some better pics...
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1270.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1271.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1273.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1274.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1275.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1276.JPG

[marximus]

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1273.JPG

[marximus]

http://homepage.mac.com/marximus/.Pictures/IMGP1276.JPG

[marximus]

email me if you wanna buy a set!;Db; ;Db; ;Db;

[Cyrk]

Email sent... Do any of you know if it will be hard to match the stock color of the insert? I want them that color to blend better...

Good Job marximus!

-Dave

[marximus]

i am really no paint expert, and so i dont know the cost to have that done. anyone here have an idea? that would be something i would want done as well if it doesnt cost too much. ;Db;

[Ldub]

Mark,
email me if you need more info. Paypal sent. Ldub

[marximus]

so far i have three payments, and i will work my best to get the fangs off soon. i have two sets primed but need final touch ups and they will be ready. i will be very busy this week with unrelated business, and so my production will be at a minimum, but after this week i will make them like crazy to get them out to you all.

SEND EMAIL IF U WANT A SET!
send an email first, then i will respond to verify that u have the correct email address, then send paypal payment.
my email is in my profile, and it is...
mark@pacificpointe.com

thanks
mark-

[marximus]

to all that have paid and i said the fangs would be out tuesday, i am sorry, but they would get out till tomarow.like i said, i am busy this week, and so it has hampered my ability to work on the fangs. i am putting an extra effort in makng them real smooth, so the wait will pay off. if you dont want them primered, let me know asap, before i do it today. thanks for the patience.
mark-

[VCrossfan]

Hey marximus (Mark): I received the hood fangs today and....a job well done bro. I'm not sure about a color I'll use or maybe wrap them in carbon fiber vinyl. But there's not much prep to be done. Very smooth, pit free and well packaged. Hat's off. Steve

[Amack76]

i wanna buy, send me a paypal sith7676@hotmail.com

[Ldub]

Mark,

Just got my fangs today, VERY pleased ! Really nice quality & packaging. Thank you & have a Merry Christmas.

Ldub