Wind deflector diy

[Marius]

Decided to show how to make your own wind deflector.
You need Perspex Acrylic glass 1000x300mm thickness 4-5mm http://www.plasticstockist.com/Glass-Look-Perspex-Acrylic.aspx (only example, i've bought mine on ebay for less )
Velcro strap http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-CABLE-TIE-VELCRO-STRAP-VARIOUS-WIDTHS-COLOURS-LENGTHS-/310487566748?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Nails_Fixing_MJ&var=&hash=item484a80499c

Velcro dots http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Cheap-20X-50X-100X-20mm-hook-and-loop-Velcro-Self-Adhesive-Dots-fastener-/120870697355?pt=UK_Crafts_Cardmaking_Scrapbooking_Glue_Tape_EH&var=&hash=item1c2474798b

You will need piece of cardboard for a template, you can make any size and shape you want .Make sure it fits before cutting from the glass .










Once you happy with the shape and fitments you can cut it from the glass, i've used simple jig saw .



For the start i've used velcro sticky dots to hold it in the place, however at 50-60mph they couldn't hold the glass in the place



i've added the straps ,one on each side, not glass stays in place at any speed .There is enough room to hide them under the covers ,all you need is to cut two small holes on the cover .

with the grey covers,( no straps )


black covers ,straps still visible



The latest look

 

[simvaughan1]

Looks great! I've been wanting to make one. Doesn't seem too expensive either then

Much difference in cabin comfort?

 

[andysat]

 

[Anonymous]

Nice job, looks more appealing than my factory mesh piece.

Red leather looks good too Is your zed lowered?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NeilP]

Marius, I'm in love with your Zed.

 

[Marius]

Looks great! I've been wanting to make one. Doesn't seem too expensive either then

Much difference in cabin comfort?

Yes, way less wind at higher speed which is was the reason i've made one

Nice job, looks more appealing than my factory mesh piece.

Red leather looks good too Is your zed lowered?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yes, slightly lowered

 

[bcworkz]

I've been thinking of something along these lines, but it's fallen of the radar lately. It's back on again

One advantage of the mesh over the solid is supposed to be allowing some air passage maintains the OEM designed airflow where one's head is at the centre of an eddy with relatively little air movement. Only now the flow is greatly diminished even more. In contrast, the solid deflector introduces random, unmanaged turbulence by completely blocking the OEM designed airflow. I'm not trying to sell the mesh variant, rather giving background for possible improvements to the solid version.

I believe if the top edge were optimally located, and the lower gap optimally sized, some minor airflow could be introduced much like what happens with the mesh version, reducing random turbulence. If need be, perhaps a row of attractively sized and spaced holes could be introduced to further reduce turbulence immediately in front of the deflector.

Of course, a lot of trial and error would be involved in determining the optimal dimensions. It makes sense to do trials with something cheap like cardboard. Besides the visibility issues, I couldn't stand to drive about with cardboard between the roll bars, it's just wrong! I think I'm going to need to buy some cheaper thin acrylic to do some trials before doing the final cuts on a nice piece of Perspex.

Any thoughts on if this is worth doing? Or will it not make much difference at all? I would of course share my findings, but please don't set me upon a useless task!

 

[sbtwister]

I really like the black Z4 badge. Plastidip?
I did my 3.0 badges, worked out very well and has lasted well over a year.

 

[Carol M]

Nice job Marius. Nice bit of advertising too.

 

[Nharris89]

Great thread with pics! Planning on having a go at this myself in the next few days whilst we are still stuck at home! Just one question, how tricky is it to mark the cardboard to cut for a template?! Without having a go yet it looks like it could be quite fiddly in the middle section? Presumably you marked it from the rear of the car?