Running Lights

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by AroMarine, Jan 2, 2008.

  1. AroMarine
    Joined: Jul 2005
    Posts: 45
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    Location: Atlantic City NJ

    AroMarine Junior Member

    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.
     
    AroMarine, Jan 2, 2008
    #1
  2. sbklf
    Joined: Feb 2006
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    Location: Houston,TX

    sbklf Junior Member

    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
     
    sbklf, Jan 2, 2008
    #2
  3. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    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.
     
    PAR, Jan 2, 2008
    #3
  4. Kaptin-Jer
    Joined: Mar 2004
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    Location: South Florida

    Kaptin-Jer Semi-Pro

    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
     
    Kaptin-Jer, Jan 4, 2008
    #4
  5. Thunderhead19
    Joined: Sep 2003
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    Location: British Columbia, Canada

    Thunderhead19 Senior Member

    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.
     
    Thunderhead19, Jan 26, 2008
    #5
  6. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    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
     
    Frosty, Jan 26, 2008
    #6

  8. Ike
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Location: Washington

    Ike Senior Member

    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.
     
    Ike, Jan 26, 2008
    #7
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