Running Lights

[AroMarine]

I have been trying to find information on fabricating my own running light lens but am not having much luck. I saw television show a while back where a guy made custom break light lenses for some car build but I don't remember the specifics. Any ideas or a place to look would be appreciated.

[sbklf]

I think a mold and a liquid plastic that would stay clear. I heated some lexan once and formed it around the good lense for my old Plymouth. It has stayed clear but has bubbles in it and it is not perfect. I too am interested in how it could be done. Kevin

[PAR]

Automotive brake light lens material is often acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate) and it can be sanded down to a mirror finish (to around 1500 grit, then polish)

I don't have a supplier of the material, which used in automotive tail lights and most navigation lights are molded pieces (thermoplastic). If you do find a supplier, then please drop me an email (click on my name) as I also have a need for making lens from time to time.

[Kaptin-Jer]

HY Paul,
Try this company. They might have what you are looking for. If not it's a good resourch for paint (chrome-candy) and films.
http://www.alsacorp.com

[Thunderhead19]

OoOoooo! I saw that show! It was about a guy in Cuba that runs a bus company!! He makes a male mold out of wood, then uses a light acrylic plastic and his wife's oven (she's not too fond of the process apparently) and melts the acrylic over the mold. I think it was acrylic...maybe styrene plastic of some kind. OH and he used a vacuum to pull it down over the mold too.

[Frosty]

The vacuum cleaner is going to get a bit hot in the oven?

Ive seen a few people make cockpit lights from glass pepper or salt shakers, you know the ones with an attractive finish to it. I used something similar to replace my melted anchor light. It was'nt the same thread but was the same Dia and it tight'nd up onto the seal so what the heck.

Why dont you use red LED's then you dont need a coloured lense

[Ike]

Are you aware of the requirements for navigation lights. You certainly can make your own but they still have to met the standards. http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/navlts.html

LEDs would be good. A lot of nav lights makers use LEDs now.