Author Topic: Replica "original' firewall pads (Read 76490 times)

66andBlue · « **Reply #75 on:** June 29, 2011, 16:12:20 »

Quote from: Garry on June 29, 2011, 01:04:58

... I am certain that I have seen pads that appear to have coconut fibre on the back side, not foam? And much thicher than 2 - 3 mm that is the current sample thickness. Has anyone seen that? ....

Garry,
the replacement pads that were sold by MB after the diamond-patterned pads have a fiber backing (but a "wrinkled" surface) and are a bit thicker. Perhaps you have those in mind?

thelews · « **Reply #76 on:** June 29, 2011, 16:29:23 »

Quote from: 66andBlue on June 29, 2011, 16:12:20

Garry,
the replacement pads that were sold by MB after the diamond-patterned pads have a fiber backing (but a "wrinkled" surface) and are a bit thicker. Perhaps you have those in mind?

That's the pad I just pictured above.

mdsalemi · « **Reply #77 on:** June 29, 2011, 16:34:50 »

Quote from: thelews on June 29, 2011, 12:46:56

Did you look at my firewall pictures above? That's 44 years and 150K miles old! The material in my interior, floor boards, etc., looks like brand new. I'd submit that care of the car has more to do with the current condition of the material than the quality of the material.

John,

The FACT of the matter is that MOST of the original firewall pads are destroyed, way beyond other materials and items in the car. They were not meant to be salvaged or reused, and due to their organic nature, simply don't or didn't last. You have an exceptional car. That does not mean the quality of the firewall pad is any good. I've seen many exceptional cars with cracked and trashed firewall pads. I stand by my assessment.

I do hope you will DRIVE your car to PUB this summer, right? Many of us would like to see this car...

thelews · « **Reply #78 on:** June 29, 2011, 16:41:12 »

Quote from: mdsalemi on June 29, 2011, 16:34:50

John,

The FACT of the matter is that MOST of the original firewall pads are destroyed, way beyond other materials and items in the car. They were not meant to be salvaged or reused, and due to their organic nature, simply don't or didn't last. You have an exceptional car. That does not mean the quality of the firewall pad is any good. I've seen many exceptional cars with cracked and trashed firewall pads. I stand by my assessment.

I do hope you will DRIVE your car to PUB this summer, right? Many of us would like to see this car...

Sorry, the pads I've seen that are beat up, usually have a pretty tired looking engine compartment too, not to mention the rest of the car, unless the car was restored and the pad unchanged.

No, I won't be driving my car to PUB, not because I wouldn't drive it, but, because I won't be at PUB. Gernold has seen the car, you can ask him about it. I believe Alfred has seen it too.

I've already put 500 miles on the car this spring/summer, should hit 1500-2000 for the season, and don't forget, it has 152K on it, including the 4K I've put on it since buying it. Still hasn't been washed with water, though.

Garry · « **Reply #79 on:** July 05, 2011, 11:51:42 »

UPDATE

Thanks to an offer of another good piece of original material, I am awaiting the piece of material from Rick Bogart (Bogeyman), to arrive but have again had discussions with the Melbourne importer of the different firewall materials and has looked at the initial piece provided by Andy T (Drewtree). He is still confident that we should be able to replicate the pad but wanted a better sample to ensure that it was correct. I also need to let him look at my car to have a look at the alternative pad currently used by most.

The cost of a one off production roll of the material is going to be high and thus we will need to know that there are at least 100 pads required. That way the cost is going to be kept to at or near the current incorrect replacement pad price. To also keep the cost down it may be a case of each order being supplied with a meter of the material and a template rather than having the pads individually cut out in either left or right. That way we save on an additional cutting operation and the purchaser will also have some left over to replace what was in the foot wells as well within the total price.

Any one care to comment on that proposal if it is suitable, people would be still interested or do we need to have the pads cut to left/right and the firewall pad only?

Timing on it is still unknown, it will not be a fast process but I will be insisting on getting an example for some to see and compare with the original material to ensure that the match is good.

Garry

69280sl · « **Reply #80 on:** July 05, 2011, 14:59:56 »

Garry

I for one would rather have the pad die cut (or other method) by someone who knows what they are doing.

Gus

George Des · « **Reply #81 on:** July 05, 2011, 15:41:12 »

Does not matter one way or another with me. I cut the pad I currently have using the original as a pattern and it came out fine. Would like to have additional material for the footwells.

George

Jonny B · « **Reply #82 on:** July 05, 2011, 17:13:34 »

Garry,

You can officially add me to the list. I would prefer having it already cut, but that is not a show stopper. I would go for either.
Thanks!

waqas · « **Reply #83 on:** July 06, 2011, 18:12:15 »

Garry,

I'd like a set as well. If supplying it uncut has a noticeable effect on the cost, then I'd prefer that option. And as George mentions, it would leave some additional material for other places.

Thanks for taking the initiative on this!

Best regards,
-waqas

Wolfmann · « **Reply #84 on:** July 06, 2011, 22:32:17 »

Yep, sign me up for 2 either way please. RHD.

Steven.

fmen3366 · « **Reply #85 on:** July 22, 2011, 06:10:29 »

I want one, too. Die cut or a square yard would work. BTW, there's got to be at least a hundred of us wanting this material.

Andy

Garry · « **Reply #86 on:** July 23, 2011, 20:30:11 »

Further Update.

Before I left for PUB I received the piece of material from Rick and took it to the upholsterer this last week He did a carbon pencil rubbing of it and is doing further research on the possible methods for manufacture using a laser mating to produce it and thus trying to avoid the need to produce 1000 meters as the minimum.

Hopefully when I get back in early August, I will have further information on how we are going. What he did say was that I would be given about a 200x200mm square to use as a sample that I will be able to cut up and send to a few of you for comment before we commit to anything.

Garry.

mtoomey · « **Reply #87 on:** July 25, 2011, 03:09:06 »

I'm interested as well, please let me know..

SilverSpear · « **Reply #88 on:** July 29, 2011, 10:52:53 »

I am also in for an LHD guys... Euro edition with the plate on the firewall. I am also in for the footrests.

lloyd250 · « **Reply #89 on:** July 29, 2011, 16:08:22 »

Hi , I would really need a RHD one for my '67 250sl

Markp · « **Reply #90 on:** July 29, 2011, 21:39:09 »

+ 1 for me. Mark

Larry & Norma · « **Reply #91 on:** July 30, 2011, 08:09:34 »

I guess I should get a RHD one for later.................

Larry

StlCardFan · « **Reply #92 on:** August 01, 2011, 06:59:24 »

+1 for me please.

dakman29 · « **Reply #93 on:** August 01, 2011, 16:26:46 »

I'm in for my 68 euro (cutout for dataplate on the firewall)

SilverSpear · « **Reply #94 on:** August 15, 2011, 10:59:57 »

Guys, what is the ETA on these? Hope no more than 6 weeks from now...

Garry · « **Reply #95 on:** August 15, 2011, 11:41:44 »

Further Update

We are till in the process of trying to correctly identifying the base material and from there the exact method of production of the original material so that we can see if it can be correctly be reproduced.

I have dropped a piece of potential material provided by Alfred and others into the manufacturer, together with some detailed photos of a unused original firewall set I looked at in Tom Colitt's workshop in LA last week together with some measurements provided from Europe and it is now a wait and see. I don't think it will all be done and in production and the product available in six weeks.

Firstly the material has to be identified and reproduced, then the effect from the dies put into the material and then it has to be sent around the world to various people to each look and comment on its suitability before the go ahead is then given to the manufacturer to produce an initial run of the material. All the while, a decision needs to be made on the laser cutting or not of the patterns in left and right hand sets, the backing material to be used and attached to the top layer..

Unfortunately it is not that simple and is causing much discussion and exchange of information and material around the world. My confidence has gone from a certainty that it could be done to now not quite sure that we will be successful in the way I had hoped but it is still relatively early in the process and there are several fronts that are being followed up at the moment.

Garry

71Beige280SL · « **Reply #96 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:46:27 »

The firewall pad on my 280SL is original. At PUB, a Tom noticed that a piece of the firewall pad has come loose right under the fuse box. Can anyone recommend a good adhesive to use to repair it?

Thanks!

SilverSpear · « **Reply #97 on:** August 15, 2011, 14:07:44 »

Quote from: Garry on August 15, 2011, 11:41:44

Further Update

We are till in the process of trying to correctly identifying the base material and from there the exact method of production of the original material so that we can see if it can be correctly be reproduced.

I have dropped a piece of potential material provided by Alfred and others into the manufacturer, together with some detailed photos of a unused original firewall set I looked at in Tom Colitt's workshop in LA last week together with some measurements provided from Europe and it is now a wait and see. I don't think it will all be done and in production and the product available in six weeks.

Firstly the material has to be identified and reproduced, then the effect from the dies put into the material and then it has to be sent around the world to various people to each look and comment on its suitability before the go ahead is then given to the manufacturer to produce an initial run of the material. All the while, a decision needs to be made on the laser cutting or not of the patterns in left and right hand sets, the backing material to be used and attached to the top layer..

Unfortunately it is not that simple and is causing much discussion and exchange of information and material around the world. My confidence has gone from a certainty that it could be done to now not quite sure that we will be successful in the way I had hoped but it is still relatively early in the process and there are several fronts that are being followed up at the moment.

Garry

Garry my pads are also still original but worn out. I can match clones if someone sends me a small sample...

stratmanedh · « **Reply #98 on:** August 16, 2011, 03:17:05 »

I would definately want one LHD...

holden66 · « **Reply #99 on:** August 16, 2011, 18:21:17 »

I would be interested.

Holden66
1966 230SL

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I prefer to buy a pre-cut firewall pad with a close match to the original diamond pattern with:

Author Topic: Replica "original' firewall pads (Read 76490 times)

George Des

Wolfmann

fmen3366

lloyd250

Markp

StlCardFan

stratmanedh

holden66