Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

[Floyd B.]

The rear deck protector on late C4 convertibles (I think 94 to 96) is protected by a clear film similar to this stuff:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-x-60-Genuine-3M-Scotchgard-Paint-Protection-Film-Bulk-Roll-Clear-Bra-/151420139336?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item234157f748&vxp=mtr

The GM part (12524512) pictured below has long since been discontinued and I have had no luck finding one. None of the usual suspects sell anything close to the original. They're all "static cling" garbage.

12524512.jpg

Has anyone been able to recreate these? I would try creating a pattern from what is left of my original but I think we all know how that would turn out. If I could find a NOS replacement like the one pictured above, I would take it to a metal working shop and have them make a pattern from 1/8" aluminum and use it to cut replacements using the Scotchguard film, which leads my to my next question: does anyone know the mill thickness of the original GM material?

Thanx

[Tom H.]

Re: Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

I would think Expel or 3M could recreate this pattern for you. Perhaps a local shop that installs the clear bras and wraps may be able to help !

[Floyd B.]

Re: Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

Tom,

I think the problem is getting the exact pattern for the three pieces. I plan on having my LT4 judged late this year. I suggested to a couple of the clear bra vendors that they offer a repop of this part but received no response.

Thanx

[Ed N.]

Re: Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

Tom,

I think the problem is getting the exact pattern for the three pieces. I plan on having my LT4 judged late this year. I suggested to a couple of the clear bra vendors that they offer a repop of this part but received no response.

Thanx

Floyd, I have seen them recreated by clear bra vendors and shops. The car has to be taken to them so they can use your existing one as a working template. Just my 2 cents.

[Joe L.]

Re: Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

The rear deck protector on late C4 convertibles (I think 94 to 96) is protected by a clear film similar to this stuff:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-x-60-Genuine-3M-Scotchgard-Paint-Protection-Film-Bulk-Roll-Clear-Bra-/151420139336?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item234157f748&vxp=mtr

The GM part (12524512) pictured below has long since been discontinued and I have had no luck finding one. None of the usual suspects sell anything close to the original. They're all "static cling" garbage.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]58201[/ATTACH]

Has anyone been able to recreate these? I would try creating a pattern from what is left of my original but I think we all know how that would turn out. If I could find a NOS replacement like the one pictured above, I would take it to a metal working shop and have them make a pattern from 1/8" aluminum and use it to cut replacements using the Scotchguard film, which leads my to my next question: does anyone know the mill thickness of the original GM material?

Thanx

Floyd-------


The thing that surprises me about a part like this is this: GM never actually manufactured a part like this. It was manufactured by some outside supplier to GM. Most likely, this kind of part was not even created using GM-owned tooling. So, I don't understand why some of the major Corvette parts vendors can't locate that supplier and have them make the same, exact part. But, I've said the same thing about many other parts. When "reproductions" come around, about 99% of the time they're just not quite like the originals.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

Joe,

I also suspect with a total potential market of less than 15k units (though it could be argued that 86 - 93 convertible owners would also be interested even though the plastic protector strip wasn't original) doesn't make it worth the time to set-up production. If I could get my hands on a NOS part, I would make a metal template and hand cut them.

I have to do something. I plan on taking the car to the FL chapter meet in November. There is enough of my original still in place that I'm going to try using tracing paper and a piece of charcoal to make a pattern. Then use flexible straight edges like drafting professionals use to make the cuts with a razor.

-Floyd-

[Floyd B.]

Re: Late C4 Convertible Rear Deck Protector

I finally found one of these. Woo Hoo!! It was die cut with no boarder so it's unused dimensions provide the exact pattern for cutting a copy from thick mill 3M Scotchguard material. Also the paper backing will serve as a pattern for years to come.

Is there anyone on this forum that could make a perfect copy out of 1/8" aluminum? Then I could lay the aluminum "die" on top of the 3M material and use a razor knife to make copies.