progress of clear/colored front corners for cutlass.

[douellette]

wondering how many people out there would be interested in buying clear corner markers for cutlass 2dr and possibly other makes if i were to make some?

[GnatGoSplat]

As far as I know, nobody makes them. However, anyone could probably learn to do it. Best way would be to make molds of the amber plastic and cast them in clear. A few years ago, there was a guy who was making OEM-replica clear tails and corners for Mopar LH cars that way. I asked him about making some for the Cutlass and he said he would, but when it came down to exchanging info, I never heard back from him. I don't have his info, but I know people make casts and molds for all kinds of hobby type applications so there should be a ton of resources for learning how to make your own. I would love to learn how myself, but am much too lazy for that.

 

[douellette]

As far as I know, nobody makes them. However, anyone could probably learn to do it. Best way would be to make molds of the amber plastic and cast them in clear. A few years ago, there was a guy who was making OEM-replica clear tails and corners for Mopar LH cars that way. I asked him about making some for the Cutlass and he said he would, but when it came down to exchanging info, I never heard back from him. I don't have his info, but I know people make casts and molds for all kinds of hobby type applications so there should be a ton of resources for learning how to make your own. I would love to learn how myself, but am much too lazy for that.

 

 

haha yeah i know nobody makes them. in google i typed "custom plastic molds" and found a bunch of companies, emailed them asking if they could make some.....is that what i should be searching for? cuz i have no idea what to search for haha

[GnatGoSplat]

If you pay someone to make them, they'll probably charge a ton! I think the guy that did Mopar cars charged $300/set. If you want them really bad, you might try to make them yourself. Then if you get good at it, you can charge people for them.

[douellette]

hmm, i found something on instructables.com about using a vaccum molding process? does seem like what i would use to do it?

 

and heres a site that sells plastic sheets: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=795&parentcatid=-1

 

what do you think would work best?

[douellette]

also found this:

http://www.alumilite.com/HowTos/TailLightMoldingNoEquipment.cfm

 

i think that could work

[GnatGoSplat]

Damn, that 2nd link you found makes it look so easy! Pretty cool that their tutorial is about making light lenses too. Looks like if they would have omitted the dye, they would have had a perfect clear copy of their lens. I bet for a beginner it takes several dozen tries to get a perfect lens.

 

[douellette]

Damn, that 2nd link you found makes it look so easy! Pretty cool that their tutorial is about making light lenses too. Looks like if they would have omitted the dye, they would have had a perfect clear copy of their lens. I bet for a beginner it takes several dozen tries to get a perfect lens.

 

 

im VERY tempted to try this out. I priced everything out that would be needed for the molds and the new part, and its about $55-$60. wish there was like a money pool we could make to buy the stuff so i or someone else could try this out haha

[KingVee]

Don't do it man, don't do it...

 

Amber looks great on red, clear doesn't...

[mra32]

arent the cutlass corners a single curve? You could probably make this easily by heating up some clear plastic and bending it to match the current curve then swap out the amber with the clear. Molding would be best suited to something complex. The only functional difference is that the corner wouldnt have the "Cat Eye" stuff on it

[douellette]

bump (for replies and poll)

[jake91]

yes if they look good and can be aroung $50

[douellette]

yes if they look good and can be aroung $50

 

really? you think i'd be able to sell clear corners for $50? doesnt aftermarket ones for other cars go for only like $25?

[jake91]

idk id pay around $50 for a part that is in such limited supply that it can only be got from one person. but only if it is good

[douellette]

idk id pay around $50 for a part that is in such limited supply that it can only be got from one person. but only if it is good

 

hmm, thats very persuasive lol. guess ill have to make a few testers after i get the supplies in the mail.

[jake91]

i meant shipping included though and dont make me the bad guy when it come to people having to pay more that they have to LOL

[douellette]

bump

 

 

anyone else want to vote in the pole? or have anything else to ad?

[douellette]

alright i got some stock corner lenses today. i already have all the supplies. I just finished separating the lense from the housing.

 

next step is to make the molds! ill start posting pics of the progress.

[Donutboy97]

Good luck.. I'm really curious as to how this will turn out!!!

[mra32]

Any reason you are molding as opposed to just bending some acrylic sheet? Its a simple curve and if you do it right, you could bang out at least 6 of these in like 20 minutes once you get setup

[CSI_MuNkY]

But if he masters the forming, then maybe he will be able to offer the service to other people for other applications. Best to try it on something small and simple.

 

Jamie

[douellette]

Any reason you are molding as opposed to just bending some acrylic sheet? Its a simple curve and if you do it right, you could bang out at least 6 of these in like 20 minutes once you get setup

 

i have no idea what you are talking about

[GnatGoSplat]

Any reason you are molding as opposed to just bending some acrylic sheet? Its a simple curve and if you do it right, you could bang out at least 6 of these in like 20 minutes once you get setup

 

Molds will look a lot less ghetto. Should look exactly like the original, but clear, if he gets good at it. I wouldn't pay for bent acrylic sheets, but I'd be willing to pay for clear copies of the original if I planned to keep the car.

 

[douellette]

Any reason you are molding as opposed to just bending some acrylic sheet? Its a simple curve and if you do it right, you could bang out at least 6 of these in like 20 minutes once you get setup

 

Molds will look a lot less ghetto. Should look exactly like the original, but clear, if he gets good at it. I wouldn't pay for bent acrylic sheets, but I'd be willing to pay for clear copies of the original if I planned to keep the car.

 

 

yea i bought some black dye that im gonna try out too, maybe try to make some "smoked" ones, or paint the backing black.

[douellette]

alright guys, i have one of the molds finished. gonna have to make another mold for the other corner marker since its not the same.

 

as of 10 minutes ago i poured the resin in the mold for the new corner marker. so i will post pics of the lense when it is finished. this is the first try so lets hope it comes out good

 

heres some pics of the mold: