My lens making thread.

[Big_John]

I don't know if you saw this site, but there's some instructional videos there that might help.

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[Mr C]

I really appreciated seeing the construction of the mold. I may need to make my own seat side trim for the driver's bucket seat on my 68 Imperial since I can't find one.

 

[detmatt]

I really appreciated seeing the construction of the mold. I may need to make my own seat side trim for the driver's bucket seat on my 68 Imperial since I can't find one.

Patience Mr C. I’d be surprised if you didn’t find one before you really needed it.

 

[rapidtrans]

I've used the silicon molds with very good results. Mostly to replace broken model car and train parts. Usually the parts were painted or chromed afterward. Tried a few clear and tinted pieces. And yeah, getting just the right red tint for tail lights was tricky. And do both tail lights at the same time so at least they match each other. Depending on the item i found transparent red or amber hobby paint worked well over a clear epoxy part.

 

[Carmine]

I really appreciated seeing the construction of the mold. I may need to make my own seat side trim for the driver's bucket seat on my 68 Imperial since I can't find one.

Aren't those repoped in fiberglass for C bodies? I wonder if the Imperial version is the same thing wrapped in vinyl?

 

[Ripinator]

Update. I was going to set up a pressure pot. They are quite expensive but found one on amazon that had good and bad reviews. I got a bad one, I need 60 PSI, at 50 air started rushing out around the welded protective rods, mounted on the lid. This one is going back and I will not buy another. This was of course after I made a nice mount to rest it on it's side. Oh well.

With more research I have been told a vacuum pot is what I really want. I can make one of those for about half of the pressure pot. The place where I bought the molding supplies do not use a pressure pot, but do use a vacuum pot. Back to square one, but I have all the rest of the supplies to make my first mold.

Found another video that had a lot of good information. I will be using some techniques from both.

 

[Mr C]

Aren't those repoped in fiberglass for C bodies? I wonder if the Imperial version is the same thing wrapped in vinyl?

I have found these...but it says 69 and up. Is it the same as what's on my 68 (the hole for the power seat looks wrong)? Hard to tell from pics.

www.ebay.com/i/271969874979?chn=ps

 

[detmatt]

Not the same and ‘67 is different than ‘68 so probably a 1 year only part.

 

[Big_John]

I have found these...but it says 69 and up. Is it the same as what's on my 68 (the hole for the power seat looks wrong)? Hard to tell from pics.

www.ebay.com/i/271969874979?chn=ps

View attachment 160300

Is this what you are looking for?

Go right to the source. 1970 C Body 300 Bucket Seat Shields

 

[Big_John]

1968 70 C Body Hinge Covers Black or White

I'll bet the cutout is done after they are molded.

 

[Mr C]

Is this what you are looking for?

Go right to the source. 1970 C Body 300 Bucket Seat Shields

View attachment 160304

The white one in the pic looks similar to the pic Detmatt posted...I really don't know. I'll need to pick up the phone, but thanks!

 

[detmatt]

The white one in the pic looks similar to the pic Detmatt posted...I really don't know. I'll need to pick up the phone, but thanks!

That’s out of the ‘68 Parts book.

 

[Zymurgy]

I got my vacuum canister built. I mocked it up with a piece of plywood. Waiting on a thick piece of plexiglass. I got a good seal and the vacuum pump works great.

I also started the first phase of the lens mold. I set the lens in clay and it is essentially ready for the mold to be poured. I need to find out if I have enough product to do the mold. This is a pretty large mold and was intially going to do a smaller lens first.

No more until next weekend when I have everything I need.

 

[LocuMob]

Don't forget a release agent! No good trapping a part you need and want!

 

[Zymurgy]

Yes, I have a can. I am going to watch the video again and make a checklist, so I don't screw something up. The main reason I thought of the checklist was so I don't forget to spray the release agent.

The product is pretty expensive, but my lens are gold.

 

[65 500]

No good trapping a party out need and want!

 

[LocuMob]

No good trapping a PART you want or need.
Fixed.

I hate the auto correct spelling for my phone.

 

[Zymurgy]

I was a little confused but got your point.

 

[LocuMob]

I need to look at my posts twice before hitting that Post Reply button! My phone does have a mind of its own, it's really annoying for spelling.

Back to mold making, this could come in handy down the road.

 

[Zymurgy]

I case anyone else is thinking of doing this themselves, do not buy this pressure pot. I am getting a full refund from Amazon, however I question this distributor. The safety bar is welded in place and at 50 psi the air excapes around the weld and conveniently the safety valve releases at the same time. This is a 90 psi pot and the same one Smooth-On video uses.

I screem conspiracy, the more I think about it. This pot would work fine for paint, I would use about 20 psi. I think this outfit bought these failed pot replacing safety valves corresponding with the psi the pot is failing at. Every pressure pot I have used the safety valve kicks in at the max psi