Can a tail light lens be made using any red plastic or glass?
This one?2-manytoyzs said:This question was asked a year or so ago. Search this site or search willys36 postings. He made some custom lenses I believe.
cboy said:Thanks Mikey and Toyz. In the Willys36 thread there is this link to an outfit that sells lens material. http://www.hitechledproducts.com/pr...d=191&osCsid=c921cb67dfa01dbbb7fff220c59bb734
It's actually a two-part product, the prism material which looks clear and then what looks like red colored plastic. You cut the shape you want and then laminate the two pieces together. I'm wondering, however, if you used a red LED would you even need the red plastic? Would the clear prism be just as effective or even more effective - since you'd have no tinted plastic the light would have to go through. Or what about 4x4's suggestion of just using clear prism material from some other source. BTW, I've tried cutting those overhead plastic panels into rounded shapes...and they are a real bear to prevent splintering and breaking.
It's 3 degrees as we speak...maybe that's why I'm inside obsessing on tail light lenses rather than out in the shop sanding body filler.powerrodsmike said:...I know when it gets cold up there in Wisconsin, you guys start to think up all kinds of stuff.
The owner of the rod shop that currently has my '36 Terraplane said that he's used this technique before and that it can work very well, especially if the lens in question is custom shaped or unavailable. The truck seems to have Guide 682-C headlights on it, but the glass lenses for the pods were broken. We were considering this option to make new lenses (I do know that the shark-fin shaped lenses are available aftermarket, but I think the less-popular rounded style would look better).cboy said:I might still fiddle with the ceiling tile idea, however, since it would provide rodders with an affordable material for making their own custom lenses. Plus.....I'm from Wisconsin....it's dang cold today....and it makes us crazy. Oh, and BTW, Dallas is NOT "America's Team"!!!!!!!!!!
cboy said:Oh, and BTW, Dallas is NOT "America's Team"!!!!!!!!!!
35WINDOW said:Careful there, cboy (no I'm not a Dallas fan, but)-
I've often wondered about everyone's likes and dislikes around here regarding NFL Teams but never brought it up because I want to keep all of you as friends-let's not go there!
You're a wiser man than I am 35WINDOW.35WINDOW said:...but never brought it up because I want to keep all of you as friends-let's not go there!
There may not be any one particular team that is Americas team but Dallas sure has America's Cheerleading Squad :mwink:cboy said:You're a wiser man than I am 35WINDOW.
Actually, I don't believe ANY team is America's team. How's that for fairness and keeping friends?
you can get red lexan material diffused or plain 3in.x12in. sheet from watson's street works for $15. http://www.watsons-streetworks.com/leds_plus.htmlpowerrodsmike said:Plain plastic does not diffuse the light properly like the prismatic lense material can.
I used to be able to get lense material from Lambert enterprises, but I don't think they sell it like that anymore .
I seem to remember seeing the clear prismatic material at TAP plastics, or one of the other plastic supply houses,, and there is a glue that you can use to stick the clear onto the back of the red polycarbonate, and make a really nice lense.
I know you won't want to buy it, because you are such a innovative and thrifty fellow, but I'll post the link anyway.
Here is a lense kit, scroll down the page about halfway.
http://www.customdynamics.com/led_flush_mount_kits.htm
Later, mikey
Don't know yet. Haven't had them on at night. My guess is the LED tail lights will be pretty bright. I'm not so sure about the third brake lite.dinger said:Dewey, are they pretty bright at night?