High Density Polyethylene sheet (HDPE) is a hard plastic sheet with many uses. While commonly used in the motorsports world for creating air dams, side skirts, and even complete karting bodies, the real world use of HDPE sheet plastic is just about endless. From arts and crafts use to modeling, and even used as work bench tops, the uses of this rolled plastic sheet is only limited by your imagination and the tools you have to work with. HDPE sheets have a natural “non-stick” type of surface which means it is a great product for creating playground slides or for use in conveyer systems!
HDPE hard plastic sheets are one of those products that you’ll buy for a specific racing need but end up using it for a multitude of things, which is why it’s best to order more than you need or more than one color. Once you’ve completed your race car’s air dam or kart body, you’ll end up using the left overs for all manner of projects around the shop or home. We’ve ended up using this HDPE sheet plastic for such projects as shop workbench tops (no soaking of oils into that wooden bench), and adding colored accents to a custom kid’s car bed. Really, there is no limit as to what you can do with this material.
Our HDPE sheet plastic is available in six high gloss colors, including red, white, Pepsi (light) blue, Chevron (dark) blue, yellow, and black. Each 10 foot hard plastic roll is 22-inches wide, and the material is 1/8-inch thick. We also offer a of 1/8 plastic sheet for those big projects! The thickness of these hard plastic sheets provides plenty of support when used as a side skirt or air damn for your race car but is still thin enough that it can be bent using a sheet metal brake with a heat gun used to “cure” the angle the sheet is bent to while it is still in the brake.
From being used for race car body panels to bottom of door or wall protectors to colored plastic sheets for your kid’s playground system, our HDPE sheets cuts easily using , , or a (best with a straight edge guide like a steel ruler and a set of clamps). You’ll be surprised at how easy the thin flexible plastic sheet is to cut and the edges can be cleaned up with a router or hand sanding to provide a nice, safe, snag free edge so you don’t cut your racing suit getting in and out of your race car, or the kiddos don’t suffer a bad scratch on the playground!
Mounting our sheet of hard plastic can be accomplished in numerous ways depending on how you plan to use the colored hard plastic sheets. For permanent installation on race car bodies the use of rivets is quick and easy. We offer our standard rivets that will require a in some mounting locations, and rivets that do not require backing washers. For race car installation where removal will be necessary for service access, our is the perfect solution, as the aluminum finish washers spread the fastener load, preventing pull through on the rigid plastic sheeting, while looking great. We even offer a with your choice of colored plastic sheet, rivets, racer's tape, and more to repair track damage to your race car's body quickly and easily.
Another option for these flexible sheet plastic panels that require removal for access (but that you can’t get behind to hold the retaining nut with a wrench) is our that uses “clip nuts” instead of free-standing retaining nuts. Lastly, if you’re a fan of 1/4-turn fasteners for panel retention and quick access, we offer a that are perfect for retaining HDPE plastic sheets. Some applications may benefit from our pre-cut or our universal race car to hold your custom cut sheet of flexible plastic in place on your race car. Obviously, for craft projects you can use your favorite fastener or special bonding agents to assemble pieces of this colored polyethylene sheet together for your own special project. Once you start working with our colored flexible sheet plastic for your race car or other project, you’ll be amazed at what else you can use it for!
Cutting this plastic with hand operated tin snips provides the cleanest cut edge. Electric shears sometimes work, but may not give as clean of a cut depending upon the specific tool since this material is 1/8-inch thick and much thicker than the tool was designed for. Another option is a razor knife or hobby knife. A razor knife typically requires multiple passes to cut through the entire thickness and it works best when you have a guide or straight edge for the knife to follow.
Forming the plastic can be done. A sheet metal brake can be used to make bends in the plastic, but typically requires some heat to keep the bend from relaxing back. When bending in a sheet metal brake it is suggested to bend the plastic beyond the angle you are targeting, heating the plastic while still in the brake, and expect some minor relaxing after about 24 hours. Heat the plastic with a heat gun from the bottom side and hold it in the brake until the plastic cools. If necessary, pull the bent area back to the angle desired, or just slightly past, as the plastic tends to relax a few degrees after sitting for 24 hours.
While it is possible to paint this plastic it’s typically not as easy as grabbing a spray can. Start by using a wax and grease remover, then scuff the plastic thoroughly with a Scotch-Brite pad. Give it another wipe down with wax and grease remover using a clean rag, then let dry before applying an adhesion promoter made for HDPE plastic. The surface is now ready for priming and paint. The use of a flex additive in your primer and paint is highly recommended to resist paint cracking, which can easily happen due to the flexible nature of the material.
Summary: I was hoping that when heated I could do a little more shaping around contours of my FRS bumper for an air dam. It will work but I'll have to use it in 3 separate pieces.
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: Great for road race air dams
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: Made fender flairs
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: Padding this cage for those rough days
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: Use it for all kinds of stuff. Skirting for a floating grill, side panels on pontoon boat railing, side by side fender flares, etc...
Cons: Warps in the sun to the point it can pop rivets
Pros: Easy to work with
Yes, I recommend this product.