Technical Making custom tail light lenses.

I want to make (or find) custom tail light lenses for my '55 Pontiac . Has anyone seen a good article on this? My buddy has a resin model business so that may be a help.

 

There was one on here many years ago.

 

Does this help.

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public4/casting-taillights-1.cfm

You can also put Casting Light Lens in the search on here.

 

Some guy from Perth Australia did a really good presentation on this subject about 5 years ago, but just not sure whether he posted here or on another Forum.

 

I've seen a couple of instances where people cast their own like @brading mentioned above. This is great start.

 

I think what folks do is make a mold and then use a vacuum forming press to form the lens.
Peruse this info:
https://www.google.com/search?q=vac...33i22i29i30.8897j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

My son does 3D model printing. I’d like to design some ’56 Olds taillights that look like a flame or rocket exhaust.

 

This place looks like it has some interesting/useful stuff, if not a specific answer to the OP.
http://www.tailights.com/

The HAMB used to have lots of great tech like this:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/making-a-taillight-lens-tech.31981/

 

U tube Video

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-week-bumper-gaurd-tail-lights.566437/

 

I’ve made a lot of parts with resin casting and silicon molds.

If you’re going this way, start by researching the available resins. For something like a taillight, you’ll need a two piece mold, so you’ll need a thin resin that pours well. I like a fairly long “pot” time, 10-20 minutes, so that there is plenty of time to get the piece poured.

You’ll want a resin that can stand UV exposure, and some heat. Don’t want your fancy new lenses melting and deforming the first time you take them outside.

The resins are clear, so you’ll need a die to add to them to get the colour you want.

Mixing the resin introduces bubbles. You’ll need a way to deal with this. A vacuum chamber can help pull them out. Curing your parts under pressure also helps.

Check out Eager Polymers
http://www.eagerplastics.com/

They sell everything you need, and their tech guys will talk to you about your project and can help you pick the right products for it.