Last week I had someone reach out to me at work with an interesting project; he scored a vintage scheel-mann seat out of a Player's Cup Camaro race car, and wants to restore it to put in his 924 (or was it 944?) Porsche project. I work at scheel-mann usa, and he was hoping we could source plastic trim parts and knobs.

Sadly, the current seats don't share parts with the 80's stuff, and we've only been in North America for about 7 years, so I can't help, but the project is very cool IMO, so I am trying to help how I can. I suggested one-off or short-run NLA small plastic parts might be the perfect application for 3D printing.

He's concerned the end result won't hold up to the temps of a closed car parked in the sun. 


Do any 3D-printing-savvy GRMers have experience or material suggestions to contribute?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Director of Marketing & Digital Assets
4/9/23 8:33 p.m.

PLA (default choice for consumer printers) wouldn't hold up, but there are lots of materials that would. I'd use ABS or ASA, but Nylon would be a great option too. 

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa UltimaDork
4/9/23 8:34 p.m.

I'd start with ABS or PETG, but the best for high temp is gonna probably be nylon based, glass filled/carbon-fiber nylon would be great.

There are all sorts of fun filaments out there, can even find ones that are metal impregnated that you can then sinter into a full metal piece.

dps214
dps214 SuperDork
4/9/23 8:39 p.m.

Looks like ABS should be good to around 100*C which I would think would be fine for all but maybe the hottest climates. The nylon composite stuff is pushing 150*C which has got to be more than enough unless they're parking on the surface of the sun.

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa UltimaDork
4/9/23 9:08 p.m.

In reply to dps214 :

Most interior trim is made of ABS

ProDarwin
ProDarwin MegaDork
4/9/23 9:24 p.m.

There are about a billion different "3D Printing" materials you can use.  How much does he want to spend?

Wow, thanks everyone! I knew GRM would come through and love this community for the fast and helpful responses!

Sounds like I can recommend ABS as a solid option and let him run with it.

I also just realized that it is a Player's Challenge, not Cup.

RacetruckRon
RacetruckRon GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/9/23 10:38 p.m.

Black ABS is my go to. Most of the black colorants used in ABS typically have UV inhibitors built into them so nice need to really spend the extra on ASA

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/10/23 11:54 a.m.

I certainly hope they hold up. I just bought a pair of side window defrost vents 3d printed for an old celica I'm working on since the OE ones crumbled in my hands when I pulled the dash out.

Also, your seats look awesome.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/10/23 12:38 p.m.

We use Onyx (a carbon-infused nylon) for interior parts quite a bit. We even use it in the engine bay for things like fan brackets.

RacerBoy75
RacerBoy75 Reader
4/10/23 8:38 p.m.

That picture sure looks like it was taken at Westwood, in Port Coquitlam, BC. 

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