Is there release info for paintless thermoplastic?

[mrvwcastner]

Has FFR added any information about release date for paintless thermoplastic bodies?

I also have wondered if thermoplastic will be rigid enough for splitters & difusers to do their jobs. I know everything can be braced, but downforce added could be too much for flexible bodies. This is speculation as I know little about the process. I have read that thermoplastic can be made so if it rock chips the inside is same color as finish (roughly). I don't want to paint & have my heart set on Black.

[Xusia]

I wouldn't worry about the strength or flexibility. Sportbikes have been using these panels for years and many of them can exceed 180mph straight off the showroom floor. I'm sure they'll be fine on a car.

[mrvwcastner]

I'm not worried, but thinking out loud. I've seen poor installs of front splitters tear up oem bumpers mainly when they kill cones. I am torn on my preference because fiber glass is easy to repair, but the thought of painting does not appeal to me. $15,000 budget (not my personal budget, just published) does not count cost of paint. I used to work paint & body will wrap in vinyl if I get fiber glass white version. Hopefully I can get paintless body by November.

[Goldwing]

Last I talked to FFR, they weren't optimistic about paint less body by my build date in Devember. The focus now is on ramping up production and ironing out current issues. I'm not too excited about the white either, I'm seriously considering a wrap too. I am putting feelers at a few body shops to cover my bases. I'm hoping the ability to drop the panels off unmounted and piggybacking on another job (waiting for a desired color to pass through) could reduce the cost a lot. We'll see.

[Xusia]

mrvwcastner, I'm fairly sure mine will come with the fiberglass panels, but I'd rather have the thermoplastic panels. So if yours come with the thermoplastic, I'm happy to trade. :)

[GUNS]

Not sure what the process is, but why can't they just offer more colors in gel coat? I think the SLC comes in 12 different gel coat colors.

[Frank818]

I think they're just not there yet.

[Xusia]

Yes, they can offer more colors in gel coat, but doing so would require making more fiberglass molds. Since thermoformed plastic is the way they want to move forward, they naturally want to minimize use of resources (both time & materials) spent elsewhere.

Personally, I see fixing issues and ramping up production as 2 of the absolute best places to invest their resourced. I'd sure like to know that when I get my kit, I'm not likely to run into problems. I'd like to know the manual is accurate, and that my parts will fit, regardless of what specific year donor they came from. I'd like personally like to actually GET my kit sooner rather than later. :)

[Silvertop]

Yes, they can offer more colors in gel coat, but doing so would require making more fiberglass molds. Since thermoformed plastic is the way they want to move forward, they naturally want to minimize use of resources (both time & materials) spent elsewhere.

Personally, I see fixing issues and ramping up production as 2 of the absolute best places to invest their resourced. I'd sure like to know that when I get my kit, I'm not likely to run into problems. I'd like to know the manual is accurate, and that my parts will fit, regardless of what specific year donor they came from. I'd like personally like to actually GET my kit sooner rather than later. :)

Yes, I think that pretty much sums it up. While I too sometimes find myself wishing that FFR was offering more than one gelcoat color, I think they have their priorities straight in regard to their current focus. Of course, I'm not TOO upset about the current single color availability since white would have been my second choice anyhow. It'll be OK. And if I really, really need it to be a different color -- well, there is always paint.......:)

[mrvwcastner]

Like everyone else I don't want to delay delivery, but would prefer thermoplasytic. I repair large digital printing presses so I can get as creative as I want (lots of my customers do wraps). I also subscribe to alsacorp.com who sells some cool vinyl. I just want plain old black.

Xusia did you get an 818R? When is your delivery?

[AZPete]

I got my 818S yesterday and the white body panels all look great! No dings or scratches (thanks, Stewart!) and the white is growing on me. A friend just bought a white 2014 Porsche with white wheels and it's stunning, plus it seems that a lot of ads are showing sports cars in white so it may be the new silver. And, I can always paint or wrap. FFR made the right choice. Now I've got to get back to inventorying . . . .
Pete

[rangerbay]

Yes, they can offer more colors in gel coat, but doing so would require making more fiberglass molds. Since thermoformed plastic is the way they want to move forward, they naturally want to minimize use of resources (both time & materials) spent elsewhere.

Personally, I see fixing issues and ramping up production as 2 of the absolute best places to invest their resourced. I'd sure like to know that when I get my kit, I'm not likely to run into problems. I'd like to know the manual is accurate, and that my parts will fit, regardless of what specific year donor they came from. I'd like personally like to actually GET my kit sooner rather than later. :)

Actually, gel coat comes in tons of colors! We build boats, and you can use any color gel coat in your mold. We do dozens of colors, including metalflakes, in the same mold. Using one solid color helps in consistency of product, and I would think helps in inventory and build quality. I've been (sort of) helping Wayne in his 2 builds and the panels are well done!

Bill

[Xusia]

I'm getting an 818S. I can't say when for sure just yet, but I'm on the hot list so I imagine it will be soon.

You just said you wanted plastic, but i thought you said earlier you wanted fiberglass. Can you clarify?

[Jeff Kleiner]

I got my 818S yesterday and the white body panels all look great!

I recently heard a comment to the contrary regarding panel finish quality (and yes, it was while having an in person conversation with a builder who has already taken delivery, not some internet "friend of a friend of a friend" source). I would be curious to find out what others who have the cars in their posession think of the "as delivered" finish and maybe even see some photos.

Jeff

[mindinclouds]

I am not yet a builder, but I visited FFR days before the open house while on vacation. During our tour I had a chance to look at some of the first production FG parts.
I do a lot of master plug work and production mold making in my line of work (kit aircraft), and with that background I can say I was very impressed with the quality and surface finish of the parts. I can comment on the quality now that they have ramped up production, but if I received a kit today, with parts like i saw at the beginning of June, I would be very pleased.

[mrvwcastner]

Xusia reread my post at top. I really want Black thermoplastic. My thought process is will I need to brace a front splitter with agressive downforce on thermoplastic on high speed track? Really just thinking out loud. Advantage to a pivot point & a brace is adjustability but more work & money. I really do think there will be a lot of pressure from downforce but I still would rather have thermoplastic. I really just was hoping to get feedback on possible dates. My busiest work is thanksgiving to christmas so I would consider postponing delivery to January if it made the difference between the 2 bodies.

[mrvwcastner]

I spoke with FFR last week when they called me for final build verification. Thermoplastic not 100% guaranteed to be made, has not been finalized. I asked about timeline to delay was told could be a year out, at least 6 months out. I wanted to know if I could take delivery with glass body & get a rough idea of thermoplastic body price when finished (lets just say not going to happen body is half the price of the kit).

I REALLY WANT THERMOPLASTIC!

My reasoning is each panel should average $500 separate to replace, would take a few hours to replace & is already finished color. I think thermoplastic will take more impact before breaking as well. I budgeted in the savings for cost of paint as well. I was torn between 4 builds & created spreadsheets on all b4 making final decision.

[Turboguy]

My thought process is will I need to brace a front splitter with agressive downforce on thermoplastic on high speed track?


Your splitter and all reinforcements for it should be mounted to the frame. Anything else is just asking for trouble.

[riptide motorsport]

X2..


Your splitter and all reinforcements for it should be mounted to the frame. Anything else is just asking for trouble.

[mrvwcastner]

After a couple of phone calls back & forth between myself & FFR I decided to wait for thermoplastic panels. I hope its not actually half a year out, but I want to avoid paint, don't want to regret decision later & end up with 2 bodies either.

[Xusia]

Oooh! Does that mean your production slot will open up?? :D

[doofoo]

Hopefully when the themoplastic becomes available they will give us early adopters first dibs at purchasing a new body. :( I pickup my 818S in 4 more weeks. Can't wait!

[Xusia]

Jealous!