I started the thread and now I own page two. Sweeeeeet.

Anyway, Mr. Paul Mckibben is a god [not in a literal sense, please don't go "stirfry" on me ]. He got the tracing for the mask on Monday, and he sent out a mask today. Talk about a fast turnaround. I am guessing they will get here sat or monday. And when it does get here, it shouldn't take me long to mask the light, shoot it and have it cleared. I am actually getting pretty excited to see how this will turn out.

So there is just another mini update. The next one will be a big one with pics, I promise

Eric

I have one more question if you don't mind. I started sanding a small area on my lens with the 1000 grit paper and then once the scratches were out, I moved on to the 1500 paper to smooth things out. This is the first time I've done anything like this so I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not, but how do I get the cloudiness to go away? Do I need a higher grit, or will it go away after applying some of that plastic cleaner?

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1986 Fiero SE

Usually the next step is to buff it out. But I don't know if you can buff plastic. It might melt/distort

C4, I'm not sure if the plastic cleaner will take the cloudyness away, as when I had them at that point, I gave them to my buddy to have them buffed out. So, Fieroobsessed is right, the next step is to buff if the plastic cleaner doesn't work. It will not, however, warp or distort the plastic, it will be just fine.

Hopefully someone will jump in here and let you know if the cleaner will work, or if you will have to buff them, but either way, you're halfway there.

Eric

quote Originally posted by doublec4: I have one more question if you don't mind. I started sanding a small area on my lens with the 1000 grit paper and then once the scratches were out, I moved on to the 1500 paper to smooth things out. This is the first time I've done anything like this so I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not, but how do I get the cloudiness to go away? Do I need a higher grit, or will it go away after applying some of that plastic cleaner?

Try 3M Plastic Cleaner ($9 at NAPA). The stuff really works. No need to use ANY sandpaper unless you're trying to smooth out some deep scratches.

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Roy

double-click on this link to follow my interior build-up https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/023174.html

Blue 87 GT w/ 4th generation Firebird interior.
Suncoast Fieros

Judged "Best Custom Interior" at the 20th Anniversary Show - 7/2003

[This message has been edited by mrfixit58 (edited 03-04-2004).]

quote Originally posted by doublec4: I have one more question if you don't mind. I started sanding a small area on my lens with the 1000 grit paper and then once the scratches were out, I moved on to the 1500 paper to smooth things out. This is the first time I've done anything like this so I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not, but how do I get the cloudiness to go away? Do I need a higher grit, or will it go away after applying some of that plastic cleaner?

Doublec4, I did the same thing, only used 2000 grit for my final sanding. My lenses were cloudy, just as you described. I then used Meguiar's Plastic Polish and Plastic Cleaner on them. A little elbow grease, and they look like glass.

[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 03-04-2004).]

Alright thanks guys, I'll buy some 2000 grit and that plastic cleaner as soon as I can.

How's everything going? Just curious here
Matt Jackson

'

[This message has been edited by 454Fiero (edited 04-12-2004).]

Easy there 454. When I started this thread, I said that the longest part was going to be getting the perfect paint mask from Paul Mckibben. And that is what I am waiting on right now. The first one got here a week or two ago, it was good, but not high enough for my standards. [I don't want to be turning out some halfa$$ed, hacked up lenses] So, Paul and I discussed what needed to be changed, all through e-mail, so it takes time. He mailed the new mask out on Wed, and it should be here today. And when it does get here, that will be one of my main focuses for the next week.

I really don't think that post was necessary 454. Sure you may have rebuilt motors and tranny's in that amount of time, my co-worker can pull, dissassemble, rebuild, and reinstall a tranny in ONE day. BUT he, nor you, are working in tandem with someone on the other side of the country to design something that has never been done before. Please think about my side of things before you make comments like that.

And just for your pleasure, I'll throw in a little time table here: [All days are aprox.]
2-19: I receive the lenses. It was late, so I took them to work the next day to take them apart.
2-20: Disassembled lights and made tracing
2-24: Sent the tracings to Paul [There is no reason it didn't go out on the 20th, it just sat at my house for a few days during my birthday] I sent them by UPS so I would have a tracking number to go with it.
3-1: Paul received the tracings and went right to work on them.
3-3: Paul sends out the first "Prototype"
3-6: I received the first mask from Paul and sized it up with the lights. Too many areas that were not to my standards. BUT it was def. an awesome start.
3-6/3-10: Paul and I were communicating about where to improve and how to make them better.
3-10: Paul sends out the revised mask
3:13 That's today, and I should get them, and see how they fit. Unfortunatly, if they are not good enough for me, we are going to go back to the drawing board one more time.

As you can tell, I have been busy with this project, I have not been just sitting around doing nothing with it. And trust me, If these layovers are good, it will be put on the fast track to completion. I want to see them done just as bad as anyone else here.

I'm off to check my mailbox

Eric

Sounds awesome, and it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as its perfect. I learnt about that on my old car. Sometimes I just did things to get them done and I was never satisfied with the final product. Now on my fiero I test everything first, and take as much time as I need so its up to my standards.

As for my test lenses that I'm trying, I tried the Meguiar's Plastic Polish and that didn't work. It did work on some fine scratches but the cloudiness is still there I never did the final sanding with 2000, but with 1500 instead. Could this make the difference? I dont even know how to buff lenses lol, sounds stupid but I've had no experience with this stuff whatsoever...

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1986 Fiero SE

[This message has been edited by doublec4 (edited 03-13-2004).]

I had typed a reply 3 times before I thought better.

Moving foreword, take your time like stated above. The owner of the lenses will appreciate a perfect job instead of a rushed job just to show pictures.

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...Perfection....

quote Originally posted by wkayl: Moving foreword, take your time like stated above. The owner of the lenses will appreciate a perfect job instead of a rushed job just to show pictures.

Hey that's fine with me. Kindof like my mechanic that I'm not dealing with ever again here. I just got my Fiero back that's been there since before the 20th show and it still isn't right. Changed the tranny and wiring harness is all he really did. The tranny is slipping a bit and he left the damn lugnuts loose all five on one rim and she almost went east while I was driving it home. Take your time I'm in no hurry I have 4 Fieros here at my house that are somewhat drivable all with tail lights on them. Thanks again
Matt Jackson

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MRJ
MY 86GT For Sale
My Black 87GT For Sale

'

[This message has been edited by 454Fiero (edited 04-12-2004).]

Any updates? 11 days later. . . .
Matt Jackson

Yup . . . They are shot with black paint, and awaiting the clear. I will post pic's tonight, [if I can find my camera] or tomorrow. They look like they should come out really well. But I will find out soon. Hopefully I will get them tomorrow, but if not, Carl doesn't paint on Fridays, so, unfortunately, may have to wait until Monday.

But, if all goes as planned, it will be well worth the wait

I shot a PM your way Eric

...

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-Monkey

Jelly, you have a PM now too.

As for the lights, I found my camera [yea me ] But they are still waiting on the final step, the clearcote. It is one of those things that can only be done when Carl has a little bit of free time. But, hopefully within a day or two they can be taken car of.

As for the pics, I don't have a bunch of time right now, but I will get them up later tonight, just to show you guys some of the progress that has been made.

Eric

Ok, here I the pics I was suppose to get up last night, but some girl got in the way.

Anywho, on with the pics.

All taped off and ready for more.

Scuffed up so the paint sticks.

Another pic of the sanding.

First one getting the first coat

Both of them with two coats layed down.

Little bit closer shot of the two with paint.

Still waiting on the clear coat, and then they are done. I am really hoping that Carl can get to them tomorrow, I will keep my fingers crossed.

Awesome Eric, just awesome. You can bet I'll be enlisting your services in the future. Mine are VERY delaminated.

Makes me wish I still had a Fiero

Will you be selling "re man" lenses? i really dont have a core for them... my lenses are cracked. But i would be willing to buy some off another member... LMK

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Avid Fiero Enthusiast
Daniel Caddell

quote Originally posted by Racingman24: Ok, here I the pics I was suppose to get up last night, but some girl got in the way.

*snicker* Hehe - That'd be my lil' sister-in-law LOL - she looked at me like I was crazy when I said she wouldn't be home until midnight... and sure enough you two didn't leave until about 11:45pm!

The lights are looking good - can't wait to see them finished... I'm sure they'll be fantastic!

Dude they look sweet already. Can I send another set.
Matt Jackson

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MRJ
MY 86GT For Sale
My Black 87GT For Sale

Update please. I have been watching this thread.

quote Originally posted by Packrat: Update please. I have been watching this thread.

well... I saw the lights the other day (Sun?) in person (still no clearcoat yet) - but even with just the black... they look awesome! Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Bump for you........

quote Originally posted by MOBILE: Bump for you........

Thanks, Chad. I haven't been on too much lately and would have missed those two responses.

Sorry about the delays, there have been a few things that I had to redue to make sure they looked good. AND. . . . . . . . . .They are getting cleared as we speak, or rather as I type. I will try to go back and get pics tonight, but otherwise. . . . finished pics tomorrow. . . . Anyone waiting for the finished result??? Ahhhh yes, suspense sucks. O well, they will come soon enough.

Eric

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Used is such a harsh term. . . I perfer "Previously obsessed over"

88 4 cyl 5 speed: All show and no go
86 SE V-6 Turbo 4 speed: All go and no show

[This message has been edited by Racingman24 (edited 04-08-2004).]

It's all cause of that turbo ain't it! Suspense? Nah not me.
Matt J

So it would cost 200 bucks to do a set of lenses like that?

quote Originally posted by MRJ: It's all cause of that turbo ain't it! Suspense? Nah not me. Matt J

Maybe. . . . . That car is sooooo much fun. But I need to take it to where there are more people that thing their car is fast so I can humiliate them. The community that I live in is a wealthy one [why am I here???] so most the people around here are 30 or so, or older and none want to race, o well. I will find some in due time.

quote Originally posted by AznFiero: So it would cost 200 bucks to do a set of lenses like that?

I think that's what I am looking at right now. Or at least somewhere around there. The next set, I may change the process up a little bit, depending on how these turn out. I will most deffinatley keep you posted. I can't wait to see them tomrrow morning.

Eric

quote Originally posted by Racingman24: I think that's what I am looking at right now. Or at least somewhere around there. The next set, I may change the process up a little bit, depending on how these turn out. I will most deffinatley keep you posted. I can't wait to see them tomrrow morning.

*Achoo!* Sorry... I seem to have bumped the thread It's morning though!

quote Originally posted by Racingman24: The next set, I may change the process up a little bit, depending on how these turn out. I will most deffinatley keep you posted. I can't wait to see them tomrrow morning. Eric

Need another set? I have one more you can experiment on! It is morning though isn't it. . . cough cough
Matt J

They're done. . . . . But since I am at work, I cannot post pics. I will, however, tell you this, they look great, but they are not perfect. They have some "fish eyes" in them from when I painted them black. But you all know this is the expirimental set and the process will be refined slightly with the next set, and the set after and the one after that. . . .you see where I am going I will always be looking to improve, unless they are perfect.

I will try to post pics at lunch if I go home, if not, I will get them up tonight when I get home from work.

Eric

'

[This message has been edited by 454Fiero (edited 04-12-2004).]

off work yet?

*waits for pictures paitently*...

Soap

*EDIT*

-Racing man do you have an picture of the notchie lights on an fiero? if so any pictures and an night picture? i wanna see how well the light goes through...

[This message has been edited by Soaper (edited 04-09-2004).]

quote Originally posted by Soaper: off work yet?

yup

quote -Racing man do you have an picture of the notchie lights on an fiero? if so any pictures and an night picture? i wanna see how well the light goes through...

yup I do, take a look at this thread towards the bottom.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/036520.html

As for pics, here's a teaser

Can anyone see how many Fiero parts are in this pic, and name them???

[Don't worry, I am just resizing the others right now]

[This message has been edited by Racingman24 (edited 04-09-2004).]

4 Cyl exhaust, license plate holder, and a steering column!