Making tail light molds

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 12:20 AM

So I dont know if there is already a how to on making tail light molds for using lexan and making custom tails, but i was wondering if any body would care to tell me how to make some molds???

Trickyslick · 08-25-2009, 11:10 AM

http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28364

He is selling....if he hasn't already....the lights and a how to.

lonnie · 08-25-2009, 12:14 PM

Looks like he used fiberglass on the outside of the headlights to get the mold. Of course you are going to want to use donor lights.

NickAlero2000 · 08-25-2009, 12:53 PM

If there was a How-To then we would be less reliant on the 2 tail light makers on Aleromod, and we would all make our own.
Its a process that's been kept a secret by them, because it makes money in a car enthusiast group with no mass produced tail light aftermarket.

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 12:55 PM

Thats what i figured, im hoping wrightie will sell me his molds and instructions, because i can do some pretty good basic LED third brake light stuff but now i want to move up to doing all the tails

lonnie · 08-25-2009, 01:04 PM

I don't think it is that big of a deal...I just don't think anyone else wants to put the effort into doing it.

NickAlero2000 · 08-25-2009, 01:25 PM

I would give it a shot if I knew how to.

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 01:50 PM

I would think the most confusing thing would be wiring the LED's and that sort of stuff, i dont think working with the molds and lexan would be all that difficult

pimpalero2003 · 08-25-2009, 03:24 PM

There was a howto posted on this by him also. Been awhile though

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 03:51 PM

yeah but i am almost 100% sure that i am going to be buying a set of tail lights from somebody on this site, and once i get those a buddy and i are going to try and make our own molds. and if they turn out good, we are going to start making custom tails.

cherrington17 · 08-25-2009, 04:20 PM

if its thin enough lexan.. it would melt to the fiberglass mold, in an oven. then just dremel/cut to correct size, and mount.

i have no idea how the rubber coating around it works though. some kind black sealant.

for 2 members to figure it out, and make good quality.. its not exactly rocket science. I'm not saying they are dumb, but it can't be THAT hard to do.

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 04:34 PM

so what your saying is that i put a couple of layers of fiberglass over each tail light so i get a set of molds, then once i get some lexan just center it over the fiberglass molds and set it in the oven until its flush with the mold. then take it out and the lexan should just come off the fiberglass mold???

lonnie · 08-25-2009, 05:59 PM

He actually poured a clear acrylic into his molds which makes more sense and is probably easier.

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 06:05 PM

how would that work if the molds where curved? wouldnt the liquid want to pool up in the middle??

cherrington17 · 08-25-2009, 06:16 PM

not if you have something to press it with.

i'm guess pariffin/wax paper was used to make it not stick, as well

lonnie · 08-25-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rida125

how would that work if the molds where curved? wouldnt the liquid want to pool up in the middle??

The acrylic could be thicker then you think! IDK never had the desire to research any of it. If you can poor..whatever to make a lense it sounds allot better then trying to bend lexan into the exact shape you want. Might be vaccum forming as opposed to heat forming.

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 06:23 PM

would it be as strong? and if I used Acrylic you think i would have to make two molds one to pour the acrylic onto and another one to place on top to hold the acrylic into place?

cherrington17 · 08-25-2009, 06:25 PM

that would be the ideal method.

although.. i think the heating in oven would probably work just as well. You'd have to be willing to invest in a few methods, experiment, and report back.

we'll keep suggesting/tweaking until you get it right!

lonnie · 08-25-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrington17

that would be the ideal method.

although.. i think the heating in oven would probably work just as well. You'd have to be willing to invest in a few methods, experiment, and report back.

we'll keep suggesting/tweaking until you get it right!

rida125 · 08-25-2009, 06:29 PM

you guys are kick ass, this is so helpful beyond belief. yeah im buying a full set of tails from somebody here on the site i think and when i get them they are going to be mold making set, and then from there its going to be endless in all the things i will try. And i mean if you guys continue to get idea's about different ways to do it or what to use to make them just continue posting stuff here and i will try it