Club 80-90 Forums

All the black card things around my radiator are pretty much useless.

I'm thinking of making up some new ones, does anyone have an idea as to which is the best stuff to make them from? I'm thinking thin perspex because it will bend to shape with the help of a hot air gun, and I can spray them matt black afterward.

I think too that I might have a couple missing from looking at how they are at the mo. Any ideas on how many there should be?

Thanks,



Doug.

I thought about using estate agents signs for it - still haven't done anything about it though. (The thin twinwall stuff that they use.) Gentle heat should suffice for bending.
I would have thought that true perspex would shatter when cold and vibrated. Maybe polycarbonate?

Used thin sheet aluminium from B &Q to do mine

Pic of what should be there (come to think of it, why) as I don't have any at all

Mine fell to bits when I changed the radiator much earlier this year.
I have not got around to fitting anything and have not experienced any issues.

For some reason on square grills VW decided to make the blanked off area part of the grill. Yet never bothered doing the simple redesign in round grills

Wouldnt bother with the horizontal one at the bottom of the rad. or I will rephrase that, if you fit one then make sure it doesnt sit tight against the rear of the deformation panal as this will just direct all the water and crud straight to it and speed the rotting/rusting as per the original
mm

I know a lot of motorists used to partly obscure the radiator in the winter months (presumably to improve heating?) but I'm blowed if I know why those bits are there and what difference they make.... Perhaps Martin can throw some light on it.

well I would suggest that they are there to help direct air when driving through the rad, without them it would take the path of least resistance and go round.?
cant think of any other reason
mm

Thanks for your replies gents.

I would think that Mike has it in that they are supposed to direct incoming air into the rad to aid cooling at speed. Which would explain why people dont bother replacing them

Seriously though, think I'll use perspex [polycarbonate] particularly as I have a sheet left over from the greenhouse repair following my lousy aim with my air rifle

Mind you, this time of year any benefit is probably lost.

Black bits - horizontal bits - vertical bits and whatever other bits. I have a 1986 T25 petrol 1900cc and I shield my rad with "plastic canvas" it comes in sheets about 30" x 18" from a craft shop, cut it to size so it fits behind the plastic grills (well away from the rad) on the front of the van but cut it so you have enough to put the retaining clips through - the canvas is perforated so lets air through but protects the rad from small stones and chippings that are thrown up by the vehicle in front of you, its far cheaper than a new rad.