Dicky Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) Just knocked up some door side protectors from water pipe insulation tubes, magnets and steel wire. They're based on a set I made in 2004 when I first got the Z using springs and hooks, but now I've used rare earth magnets. I've made them for my wife's new S-Max but will do the same for the Z later. We will still park well away from other cars where possible, but on those occasions you must parallel park they are a cheap yet effective solution. They cost approx £15 to protect both sides. I've not quite finished them yet and will incorporate a security wire to give a degree of theft protection from opportunist thieves. Even if they're nicked they will be cheap to replace. Apologies for the crap pic but crap phone camera and it's dark. Edited January 23, 2016 by Dicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) Oops meant to post on the 350Z forum. Can it be moved? sorry Edited January 22, 2016 by Dicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEUS Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Nice idea but I'm sure I'd drive off with them on ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Moved to 350z. nice idea, they could be a bit, sexier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GappySmeg Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 You need to take that to Dragon's Den Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350zedd Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 WTF !!! .........at least they're colour coded!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Great idea Dicky and very effective they should be too. The only thing I think though is that it's sad that you/people have to do this sort of thing in the first place to protect their cars. If only people just empathised more with others and were a bit more careful around other peoples cars. That being said, some people are just selfish a***holes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 Fortunately the Z's never been touched only because I'd rather park well out the reach of numb-ties, but other cars I've owned have been...and it can cost a lot to get repaired. The ones I made in 2004 served their purpose but I have to admit to having seen some on Amazon which are now unavailable that caused me to use manners instead (obvious enough now I think of it) They may well get nicked but as I said I'll only use them when I've got no other choice and the security wire I'll fit soon may well deter the opportunist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 You need to take that to Dragon's Den I think they would tear me up and spit me out. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Go on - what you are really doing is seeing what it will be like when you own your next car.. Citroen cactus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juggalo Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 It's just a people carrier. Is it really worth it? Just park well away from the main entrances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 It's just a people carrier. Is it really worth it? Just park well away from the main entrances Some people might say a similar thing about your 10 year old Nissan, ...if you pay for a vehicle no harm in doing what you want imo to protect it from damage caused by inconsiderate/selfish people. I always try to park my CTR well away from others but sometimes you just have no option but to park next to someone else or occasionally after parking well away from others come back to find your car wedged in by someone who just had to park next to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Brilliant idea Dicky, sometimes the best ideas are the easiest! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 It's just a people carrier. Is it really worth it? Just park well away from the main entrances It's a £37k people carrier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 Brilliant idea Dicky, sometimes the best ideas are the easiest! Oops again...apologies Ekona I missed the "like" comment and somehow got to pressing the "unlike" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 Moved to 350z. nice idea, they could be a bit, sexier Ok....I'll hang the wife's knickers off them, maybe that'll help...........although on second thoughts, maybe not cos I make tents out of them in summer lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 It's just a people carrier. Is it really worth it? Just park well away from the main entrances not only is it a £37K car ^^ ......... its also someone elses property and smashing your door into it can be construed as criminal damage (accidental or otherwise) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Moved to 350z. nice idea, they could be a bit, sexier Ok....I'll hang the wife's knickers off them, maybe that'll help...........although on second thoughts, maybe not cos I make tents out of them in summer lol I'm guessing she doesn't read this forum :lol: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 Moved to 350z. nice idea, they could be a bit, sexier Ok....I'll hang the wife's knickers off them, maybe that'll help...........although on second thoughts, maybe not cos I make tents out of them in summer lol I'm guessing she doesn't read this forum :lol: Dead right she doesn't. I'm hiding in the cupboard under the stairs to write the comment...so don't tell her now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 Just thought, if your feeling creative, the magnets I found to be best (after a bit of searching) are.... http://www.first4magnets.com/circular-disc-rod-magnets-c34/10mm-dia-x-5mm-thick-x-3-2mm-c-sink-neodymium-magnet-2kg-pull-p2640#ab_1-1%7Cps_2-899/s899 I used a soldering iron to burn down 10 mm into the insulation tube (which is about 20 mm thick) to sink the magnets flush then used tape to cover them over keeping them in and to prevent scratching paintwork. I decided to use 3 magnets per 1m length of tube (find what's best for your application) I intend putting a small countersunk screw through the magnet holes, securing with a nut and washer on the inside of the tube. Also on the inside of the tube, soldering some 1.5mm steel wire (from B&Q) between each screw end along the length. If you have two lengths of tube per side, then run the wire to the other tube and do the same. Then from the exposed wire between tubes IE at a point between doors, make a crimp connection to another piece of wire which will be taken through the drivers/passangers door and secured inside the car. Any exposed wire or any coming into contact with the paintwork will be covered with suitable electrical sleeving/other. If you can be bothered........Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 electrify the wire ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 23, 2016 Author Share Posted January 23, 2016 electrify the wire ? Now there's a really good idea! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exec Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I have doubts this invention will be very effective, purely because every car door is a different shape and different height. It would be purely chance that this stops a door ding. What you need is to make some stick-on armour... similar to the Citroen Cactus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 Like the idea with the Citroen. Doesn't much matter on door shapes I wouldn't think because when someone's door opens the section that sticks out most will be the section that impacts the highest section of my car. So long as my tube is sticking out the furthest from my car body then that's what will get hit first I would have thought. Anyway think it will protect against the vast majority of cars out there and remember it will only be used when I've got no other alternative but to parallel park, multi story parks, city centre parking and the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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