Im not sure if this is the right sub-forum but move is needed.

Does anyone know what is the best why to do this? or is it best to have a machine cut a mold out of plastic? Its for a small side project thats im working on in my spare time (not sure if i will ever complete). but its a mold to fit in the rear coupe taillights in the blinker area. trying to do a dual led ring. anyone have ideas or hookups?

 

so its just a ring?

 

yup, its just one ring for each side. all the wiring is done. i just need a ring with holes for each of the leds to give them a bright look to match the stock ones.

 

I would hit up a fiberglass shop, you will propably need to make the prototype using some Plasticine and then have them make the mold from that.

 

well i made molds myself for the emblemless grills, and if you have a master to make a mold of then you can do it otherwise i donno.....you'd have to made a design with the dimensins and find a place that can make one.

 

ya thats my prob. i dont know how to make a master mold. i have just rough drawings. but i know the dimensions. i can draft it up but i just dont know of a place to do it. can anyone recommend a place?

i haven't use plasticine before but ill look into it. i saw pixs but i think my design is to complex for it. but idk, ill try to locate some.

 

you can use two part silcon to make the mold for such a small part with small lot sizes (20-40 parts per mold, more depending on geometry and how ruff you aren't). Then you can mix up and pour two-part urethanes, let them cure and then demold, viola you have a copy of your master prototype!

Now for making your prototype, I use prototyping machines at work and there's nothing easier. You can seek out people in your area to do the CAD work of the part and then build the prototype, probably cost you $200-$500.

Also there are various other materials you can use for this two, you do not have to use silicon, some two-part urethanes can be used as well.


http://www.instructables.com/id/Two-Part-Silicone-Casting/

For the master part, try quickparts.com

 

I can make your parts in solidworks, and then design a mod for you, I cant produce it but would get you on the right path

 

A better question would be how you plan on coating the plastic with the vacuum deposited "chrome". Did you figure that one out yet? Most places have minimum orders

 

redlude97 - the way i designed the part really wont have much chrome to show. maybe just alil between the cones (flat side). but in the cones the oem is a standard silver color, so i was planning to match that more than anything. the inner portion of the circle will hold the oem blinker cone.

thansk guys for all the input. this has been sitting in my garage for months now, i just wanna see it its possible to complete.

 

I'll be in for a set for sure if you do get them produced and they match the inner LED's. I've been thinking about doing the same for a while now, and was going to use the ALSA killer chrome spray to get the chrome look. This would save me a lot of time and headaches if you have it worked out already. Any idea if they will fit the 06+ lights also?

 

these would only look good on the older taillights. it looks like the newer ones have a thin plastc in front of the leds to disperse the pattern, and it would be tough to copy that (for me that is). but it maybe possible if you have an extra set of 06+ lights and cut out each pattern and replace them to the smaller circle.

 

I would just trim the diffusers on the other circle. I'm pretty sure you can do it.

 

bump for more info. also here are some pixs of the project.

 

oooo...nice. I've been wanting to do something like that for a while....tempting.