Rear Light Lenses

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat May 02, 09 8:32 am

Tim I am very interested I think you have done a fantastic job there. Do you know if the resin you have used will weather as well as the original ones or would these only be for show.

Tim P · Post by **Tim P** » Sun May 03, 09 7:57 am

I intend these to be a permanent fixture providing the quality of the end result is good enough. I think the finished plastic should be pretty tough (it has little flex in it so it should resist stone chips and small impacts) and the rear lights on a 70 B body are fairly well protected anyway. I used a high optical quality resin (probably not needed) which is very stable so I think they should last ok.

Thanks for the kind words - it's been a slow process but I'm learning a lot along the way. There's been more discussion lately (see this months Classic American) around red rear indicator lenses and it may all become unnecessary but the trend at the moment seems to be the other way.

Rogue Trooper · Post by **Rogue Trooper** » Sun May 03, 09 10:07 am

Tim i may be in need of a round lens being made, if i can't find one, i'll be watching this thread closely, well done

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Sun May 03, 09 11:00 pm

Good skills

I must admit I am not fond of amber lenses on old US cars, just does not look right, I plan to keep the original look.
Having said that, if you are going to convert, then what you are doing will look pretty 'factory' and very professional, unlike some of the 'bolt on' attempts we've all seen!!!
Nice one!

Tim P · Post by **Tim P** » Mon May 25, 09 6:26 pm

This is going much slower than I anticipated.... However, here's what a 70 Satellite looks like with a rear lens that is completely amber.

Just got to do a new red one now, cut them down and fit them together...

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Thu Oct 28, 10 10:10 am

Shame this thread has stopped, it was very interesting..??

what was the exact Resin used to make the lenses ? cheers

Tim P · Post by **Tim P** » Sun Oct 31, 10 4:45 pm

I got so far with the lenses and then I had difficulty finding a genuinely transparent red pigment - they were all translucent and it didn't look right. All along I have been trying to get a 'factory look' to the lenses as if they were made as a two colour lens.

Then Rogue Trouper asked me to help with his 34 Coupe (see the workshop) and the search started again. I found a really good transparent pigment this time and I now have the materials I need to get this right.

As it happens I got the Satellite lens mould out this weekend and cleaned it off ready for for another go. I hope to have a two colour prototype completed by the end of the month or thereabouts. Unfortunately the Satellite has handed rear lights so I will have to repeat the moulding for the left hand as well.

Here are some details and photgraphs of the process i used on the 34 Coupe lenses.

The mould case is a old CD multi-pack box.

The resin I got from here:
http://www.resin-supplies.co.uk/resins.htm

I used the Clear rigid epoxy casting resin. It has good optical properties, doesn't shrink or go off in sunlight and best of all it is odourless so you can cast it in the house (where it is warmer) rather than the garage.

I also used J-Wax (releasing agent) from them and also the rubber moulding compound RTV SILICONE RUBBER which is excellent, if a little pricey. Very strong, quick to cure and captures really small detail

The dye I used for red is this:

http://www.ema-models.co.uk/products/04 ... t-red.html

Which is very good. They have orange too but I haven't tried it yet. I am going to order some on Monday.

All these require use of rubber gloves (the dye is particularly toxic) and lots of measuring pots (also from ABL Stephens - quite cheap) and a weighing scales for mixing.

Hope this helps. Here are some pics of the mould, the jig and the finished results (original top right, pre-STOP paint copy top left, failed prototype bottom.)

If you need any more info let me know. I'll post some more pics as I go along
.

Rogue Trooper · Post by **Rogue Trooper** » Sun Oct 31, 10 8:03 pm

you are the man

Tim P · Post by **Tim P** » Mon Nov 01, 10 2:56 pm

Too kind

Let me know if you need any more. Can't wait to see the finished rod.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Nov 08, 10 6:36 pm

Tim,
how do you fancy making some white lens same as reversing lens for me, they are about 3.5 x2.5 inches rectangular...for another project ?

Tim P · Post by **Tim P** » Fri Nov 12, 10 12:23 pm

Can you send me a picture of the lens? Always willing to have a go.

Tim

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Fri Nov 12, 10 1:47 pm

Tim, its the small black ones at the bottom in the bumper
held in by 2 screws quite plain and straight forward shape

second picture shows how i would like them

cheers Steve

Tim P · Post by **Tim P** » Sun Nov 21, 10 3:04 pm

Sorry to be be slow getting back to you - been a busy week.

Seems simple enough. Presumably these aren't available from Honda in the form you would like?

Do you know if they are handed ie can a lens be used on both sides?

Lastly, can you afford to be without one for a week?

Tim

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Nov 22, 10 7:50 am

Not sure if they are handed Tim, i'll check dont think so though, and yes minus one or both no problem