Does anyone on here know what type of plastic sheet is used to make the small flexible front mudguards that zip tie onto suspension forks? They look like they’re stamped from from sheets of flexible plastic around 1-2mm thick. They’re the type that bike shops sometimes have their shop logos printed on.

The reason I ask is because I’m looking to make a simple lightweight mudguard that I can zip tie to the rear pannier rack of my wife’s shopper/‘adventure’ bike. We’ve looked online, but there are some many different types of plastic that were bamboozled😁

Chop up an old (HDPE?) Milk bottle or two, Reuse, reduce, recycle and all that?

As above, made several from milk bottles, they’re the right shape as well.

I’ve previously used an empty 2l pop bottle, and a plastic ringbinder folder cut to size for that kind of mudguard. Have a dig around the house and recycling bin, you’ll probably find something appropriate.

Ta for the feedback. I’ve made something out of an old 2L milk carton, but it looked a bit scabby, so thought of making one out of black plastic. I hadn’t thought of trying one of the big clear plastic pop bottles though – hmm…that’s another option.

Oh, and the old ring binder plastic…that’s a good suggestion👍

You could also try and warm said plastics either in an oven or using a heat gun/ hair dryer. If it’s a thermoplastic (chances are it is) you ‘ll be able to form it into shape, let it cool and it will set in that shape.

An old tyre on a  wheel would be a good start, or even around a large tube on your frame would get  the desired shape.

The bottles that bleach comes in tend to be a bit thicker and sturdier – might be worth a try.

The bottles that bleach comes in tend to be a bit thicker and sturdier – might be worth a try.

and laundry detergents/softeners

I make them out of 0.8mm Polypropylene sheet.

I bought some thin black sheets of plastic from eBay when I made a few Marsh Guard copies a few years back. Can’t remember the thickness though.

Oh wow, some great suggestions – thanks everyone. I have a heat gun, old wheel and tyre, so will experiment with different types of plastic container plastic.

Maverick reply:

cut some camping mat to size?

I have used black greenhouse guttering from b and q