Using the positives I have from the tail light tooling, I am now making lense covers. I will have ten sets ready to be shipped in ONE WEEK as I just received the letter/shading stencils today. These covers are made from 1/8" PETG. They will not break. You could even put them over your existing good tail lights to protect them. I would venture to say they will last as long as the car.
You need an original set but they can be literally in any condition. Smashed, cracked, or delaminated. As long as there is a lense to attach to, these covers will make them look brand new.
The shading is on the inside. If these ever get scratched or marred, you can polish them without worry of cutting into clear and through the lettering.
The paint I previously used on the repro lenses had no flex agent because it was significantly more rigid because of the border and reinforcement, and that the plastic was simply thicker. The flex agent may not even be necessary but I'm not going to chance it. If the lense is delaminated or cracked anywhere, this will completely hide it. Only to a very keen observer or Fiero owner would someone notice there is a layer over the top.
When I am ready to ship I am going to put up a little video of how I would modify the old lens, mount the cover and a clear representation of fit and finish on the car, and as many high resolution pictures as anyone could ask for.
UPDATED PICS:
OLD PICTURES FROM THE ORIGINAL OP:
Excuse the finger prints
Perfect clarity.
If you look at my actual tail light lenses you can get an idea of the kind of fit and finish I am capable of. These covers will be no less than the quality of than the lenses I would have produced.
Although I am not ready just yet I would like to get a running list going of those that want them! I am going to keep a running list in the OP
Right now the pricing for the covers is at $375 shipped to anywhere in the US via FedEx home delivery. I do not yet have a price for shipping to Canada but I will ship there and anywhere else someone may want them.
I am going to be making these on a per order basis and will not be making more than ten sets a week. I don't think that will be a problem but this is a warning that there may be a wait time. I will not take orders in advance and make you wait. If I think it is going to be more than a week, I will tell you to wait. I don't want to get in over my head.
If you have any questions of course feel free to PM or post here
[This message has been edited by Slammed (edited 03-02-2016).]
Mounting is simply double sided tape around the black border if they need to be removed
Silicone sealant around the border for broken lenses. Cut away the clear portion of the original, and essentially glue the cover over the lense with silicone. If there is ever an actual lenses made, you can still pop the clips and take the lense off
Mounting is simply double sided tape around the black border if they need to be removed
Silicone sealant around the border for broken lenses. Cut away the clear portion of the original, and essentially glue the cover over the lense with silicone. If there is ever an actual lenses made, you can still pop the clips and take the lense off
So, these go over the existing lens, correct? Have you tried fitting these to a Fiero, to make sure there are no issues with the additional material?
I am sure you will provide instruction and pictures, as that may help some better understand, as these are not direct replacement lens, if I understand you correctly.
So what you're saying is that you MUST have a set of original lenses to use these, but the condition of those lenses can be somewhat rough? I like where this is going!
Yes, you need an original set but they can be literally in any condition. Smashed, cracked, or delaminated. As long as there is enough lense to attach to, they will work.
[This message has been edited by Slammed (edited 02-24-2016).]
I honestly don't get the idea? Covers to go over you cracked and broken lenses. Won't the cracked and broken pieces just show through?... I am not downing the project, it just doesn't make sense to me... I'm a little lost.
------------------ LETS GO DRIVING!!! [
Power Tour Long Haul 2009, 10 (muscle car) Power Tour Long Haul 2011, 12 (Fiero) Power Tour 3 stops 2013(Fiero)
The picture posted aren't finished. The covers are painted to look like the original lenses. You cut out the broken clear section that would show, and the rest is hidden under the painted portion of the cover
So you cut out the whole clear section of your old ones, put this cover on top of it making the lights shine through your clear portion and the black covers all the delamination and improfections of the black part?... Is this right?
If this is right... I would be worried about where light songs through for the word Pontiac... It would have to go through 2 lenses basically would think it would destroy the light?
I have done it here with brighter bulbs which works just great, or you can cut out that section as well. If the lens is busted already then it won't make any difference. You could cut out the whole thing and just leave a border and it would still look like a brand new lens
Mine are in good shape, but I like where this thread is going. Hopefully you can show up at a Jet City Fieros meeting one of these days and show off your products. I will reimburse the club for your meal if you can make it. As stated before it is pretty much impossible for me to make it, but others can fill me in through their newsletter.
Great work Slammed! I'm glad to see these are being positively received. This is an excellent and cost effective solution that should work for those who just don't have the means for a full replacement.
I'm just getting home from work and ready to start painting some covers. Pictures of a complete one here in a bit!
edit: the new paint with flex additive doesn't adhere. I'm going to spray another with the original paint from the lenses and see if it's got enough give
[This message has been edited by Slammed (edited 02-26-2016).]
I sprayed 5 sets last night and they are in the oven drying right now! I'm making a video today and will have it and more picture up tomorrow with sets ready to ship
[This message has been edited by Slammed (edited 03-01-2016).]
I'm uploading the video to youtube right now. I am sad to say the paint is not flexible enough To be used as covers, they need to be removable without breaking the paint and I couldn't successfully pull a cover off without the paint cracking. The adhesion is great though so I'll figure something out soon.
[This message has been edited by Slammed (edited 03-02-2016).]
Wow, great job slammed! The idea is cool, and seems like a 'casing' for the taillights. Even nice finished ones could use these as a reinforcement for the OEM.
Seriously, keep up the good work.
------------------ Every fiero has a story, It's our job to keep that story alive.
Wow those look great. Have you tried Bulldog adhesion promoter? I know you said adhesion isn't a problem, but that stuff also helps keep the paint flexible.
I assume you are breaking off the rest of the lens and keeping the delam portion or have you tried that? One of the pictures shows the cracked lens behind your beautiful new cover and then others don't so I figure they are the same light assembly but maybe not. Are your lens more flexible than the original? Nice work!
I assume you are breaking off the rest of the lens and keeping the delam portion or have you tried that? One of the pictures shows the cracked lens behind your beautiful new cover and then others don't so I figure they are the same light assembly but maybe not. Are your lens more flexible than the original? Nice work!
I assume by the pictures that you simply cut out the clear parts of the lens and apply the new cover over the old lens with adhesive and sealant to keep water out.
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
To be used as covers, they need to be removable without breaking the paint and I couldn't successfully pull a cover off without the paint cracking. The adhesion is great though so I'll figure something out soon.
