Another way to deal with molded-in lenses

[ChrisBcritter]

One detail I didn't mention which might be useful if you're building any of these ''63-'64 Caddys: The taillights in the bumper are molded in; they should be sort of translucent from being ribbed on both sides. To get clear lenses, I poured a rubber mold over the bumper. When it cured, I removed the bumper, carved the molded lenses out, then put it back in the mold making sure it fit tightly. I then poured a little UV-cured clear resin into the openings and hit it with the UV light until it solidified. When I pulled it out of the mold, it had nice clear lenses that fit perfectly; I painted them white on the backsides and scraped horizontal lines through the paint to give it the factory look:

Argh - crummy photo but you get the idea.

More importantly, note this trick also works well for grilles with molded-in headlights. It's a bit more work but, again, the lenses will fit perfectly - just add reflectors.

Edited April 13, 2019 by ChrisBcritter

[SfanGoch]

Great idea, Chris. I've got a couple Johan Caddys that'll get the treatment.

[rsxse240]

Great idea!  I will definitely be borrowing this!  

 

I have also made molds of grills and bezels with lenses moulded in.  Then cast the whole part in clear resin, followed by some Molotow Chrome.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I've been using basically the same method for quite some time.

Often, the reflectors can be the more difficult part of the equation.

 

 

Steve