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Reflective under hood

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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 09:29 PM
  #1  
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Reflective under hood

I was thinking about what would be the best way to go about a mirror or some sort of reflective thing under the hood of the car for shows and what not, i have a fiberglass cowl hood, so i'd need something lightweight

Any suggestions for materials or anyone who's done this, didn't find any in search and google came up with mostly murals airbrushed on.

What is reflective like a mirror, lightweight (sort of) and can stand the heat of being under the hood of a car? Also, would this not work at all bc of heat or hood clearance and could I still get this made to put on only when the hood is open at shows? Thanks
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 09:33 PM
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From: Fairhope, AL
Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: Reflective under hood

Originally Posted by sadler
I was thinking about what would be the best way to go about a mirror or some sort of reflective thing under the hood of the car for shows and what not, i have a fiberglass cowl hood, so i'd need something lightweight

Any suggestions for materials or anyone who's done this, didn't find any in search and google came up with mostly murals airbrushed on.

What is reflective like a mirror, lightweight (sort of) and can stand the heat of being under the hood of a car? Also, would this not work at all bc of heat or hood clearance and could I still get this made to put on only when the hood is open at shows? Thanks

polished stainless steel
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Old Mar 22, 2009 | 09:38 PM
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From: Newburgh, NY
Car: 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7l 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.43 posi
Re: Reflective under hood

That sounds like the best route to me too, heard of anyone on here doing that?
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Old Mar 23, 2009 | 03:53 PM
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From: Fairhope, AL
Car: 89RS(other cars & pics in vBgarage)
Engine: LO3, 305 TBI Mildly Modified
Transmission: BakerBuilt 700R4 w/B&M Megashifter
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Auburn Pro Series LSD
Re: Reflective under hood

they actually make polished SS pannels for some hot rods
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Old Mar 23, 2009 | 05:09 PM
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Re: Reflective under hood

Aluminum would be lighter, just as reflective, and cost about the same, but be easier to work with.

Mathius
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Old Mar 23, 2009 | 05:20 PM
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
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Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Reflective under hood

You can always just do a Miror Paint, or Chrome Paint.

Obviously, TRUE glass mirrors wouldn't survive driving very well.
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Old Mar 23, 2009 | 07:45 PM
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Re: Reflective under hood

You could buy plexeglass, cut it to fit and paint it with Miror paint
like Stephen said.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 11:17 AM
  #8  
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From: Terre Haute, IN
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
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Re: Reflective under hood

That seems to be popular with Corvette guys. You might try searching one of their forums for idea. I don't think it would be to hard to mirror something that would fit there for shows only, but I think finding something that withstands every day heat will be difficult.
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 01:31 PM
  #9  
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Re: Reflective under hood

Originally Posted by jccaclimber
That seems to be popular with Corvette guys. You might try searching one of their forums for idea. I don't think it would be to hard to mirror something that would fit there for shows only, but I think finding something that withstands every day heat will be difficult.
I keep thinking there's an awful good chance that polished metal would fog up from the heat of driving. Even stainless and aluminum oxidize, which would be enough to ruin his polish job.

Most guys just throw a mirror under the hood at shows.

Mathius
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Old Mar 24, 2009 | 01:37 PM
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Re: Reflective under hood

Wouldn't itbe possible to spray a clear over the metal after its been polished to prevent any oxidation for a long time? its what they have done to wheels, well some of them
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 07:47 PM
  #11  
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Re: Reflective under hood

Originally Posted by Phoenix8936
Wouldn't itbe possible to spray a clear over the metal after its been polished to prevent any oxidation for a long time? its what they have done to wheels, well some of them
If your gonna do mirror just buy some mirror plexi.
This stuff was big back in the 80/90's in the mini trucking bask when Iwas in HS.
http://www.professionalplastics.com/ACRYLICMIRROR

Or if you do use a polished aluminum use some of this..

http://www.por15.com/GLISTEN-PC/productinfo/GPCGG/
Stuff works good.

http://www.cecoatings.com/images/polished/DSC04617.JPG
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 10:15 PM
  #12  
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Car: 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7l 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.43 posi
Re: Reflective under hood

^^ wow those are some good links thanks man!
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 11:17 PM
  #13  
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Re: Reflective under hood

im doing the same thing with my cowl hood.
im hung up on what i want to use to many pros and cons to
stainless and aluminum. . .
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 11:20 PM
  #14  
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Car: 84 camaro, 88 trans am, 98 camaro
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Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, t-56
Axle/Gears: 327, 308, 373
Re: Reflective under hood

what brand cowl to do you have?
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Old Mar 26, 2009 | 11:22 PM
  #15  
sadler's Avatar
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From: Newburgh, NY
Car: 1988 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7l 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.43 posi
Re: Reflective under hood

what are your pros and cons so far
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Old Mar 27, 2009 | 01:17 PM
  #16  
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Car: 91 Black Formula KR
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Axle/Gears: US Gear 3.42 Eaton True Trac
Re: Reflective under hood

Plexi would get close to melting under the hood... You need lexan for heat, but maybe they don't have mirroed lexan...

Paint? The only paint I've seen that is somewhat close to "mirror" is from Alsa corp - and only pics, not in person... They do make a laminate material that is thin / light and actually metal (think, thin sheet of metal) that is reflective... but it too may also melt...

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/mir...irrachrome.htm

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/she...sheetingfx.htm
check out mirror chrome...

http://zoopseal.com/zoopseal.asp
A sealant for aluminum...

If you could get aluminum polished panels, seal with ZoopSeal, would be the way to go...

this guy uses acrylic...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...spagenameZWDVW

See if they can make some for 3rd gen...

http://www.spinnerpremiumdesigns.com/page3.html

Think that covers it...

Raf
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 09:52 PM
  #17  
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Re: Reflective under hood

I don't know how well this stuff would stick to fiberglass, but it's a film that's applied with soapy water, like some decals. This site shows it being applied to the underside of a Honda hood.

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ab_par...435297,00.html
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