Handbrake cover
For the Austin A30 and Austin A35
These are functional parts on the Austin A30 and A35. Like the original they provide a barrier for dust and water to enter the car via the hole for the handbrake. These were made before by another clubmember, but I have not seen any for sale in a long time and decided I would have a stab at making them. As always, I started with a 3D printed mold. Here I explain how I went about doing this with pictures below. I will also talk about the pros and cons of doing it this way.
![3D Design of the handbrake dust cover 3D Design](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_08.png)
First task is to model it in 3D
![1st mold of the handbrake dust cover 1st mold](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_14.png)
My first attempt at a mold. However I did not account for the enormous adhesion between the PU rubber and the plastic. I had to destroy the mold in the process of getting the part out.
![1st mold 1st mold](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_40.jpg)
I broke the mold getting the part out, you can see the infill!
![Mold Mold](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_05.png)
My solution was to make the inside mold out of multiple pieces that can be taken out because of the reduced contact area. This is one approach, a better one would have been to make the mold out of silicone rubber. Silicone does not stick to a lot of things.
![Pour of the handbrake dust cover Pour](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_21.png)
Pouring them together with the mudflaps
![Final product Final product](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_16.png)
The final product
![checking fitment of the handbrake dust cover checking fitment](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_38.png)
checking fitment
![collar for the handbrake dust cover collar](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_33.png)
I include 3D printed half collars to glue on the axle, this provides a good seal and a running surface for the rubber cover, protecting the paint.
![collar for the handbrake dust cover collar](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_35.png)
Installed with collar
![Description Description](pictures/handbrake/handbrake_34.png)
Without collar