The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > MOD Mania > Body Modifications

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 11-27-2007, 10:15 PM
94SubieSVX's Avatar
94SubieSVX 94SubieSVX is offline
OOC for a while
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 1,552
Send a message via AIM to 94SubieSVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by SubaSteevo View Post
I remember a member named "museumquality" doing his own clears WAY before the SmallCar kit. If you search around you might be able to find some info that'll help you on your quest.

Hmm, I'll have to do some searching now Thanks Steve


Edit- Steve thanks for bringing this up. I just saw his pics of it. I like it, and it gave me more ideas
__________________
bLAh

Last edited by 94SubieSVX; 11-27-2007 at 10:20 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-29-2007, 03:55 PM
94SubieSVX's Avatar
94SubieSVX 94SubieSVX is offline
OOC for a while
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 1,552
Send a message via AIM to 94SubieSVX
Update-

I tried heating the lexan up and just laying it on the face of the headlight. I worked a little bit, but I don't think it was soft enough because when I would push one side down, the other would go up. Also it wasn't even the slighest bit sticky because it was sliding all over the headlight.



What I plan on trying next is
  1. Making a plaster mold of the front of the headlight.
  2. Heating the Lexan up so it is softer and more flexible than any other time I have heated it up. It has to act like wet spaghetti.
  3. Place the mold on a table and lay the heated Lexan on top of it.
  4. Then using the headlight, mush the Lexan into the mold and hold it in until it hardens to the shape of the mold/headlight.
In theory, this sounds like it would work the best because the lexan will be more "controlled" and not able to move and get mishapen. I'm getting plaster tonight and will post results after I try it.


PS- another thing I'm a little worried about is even when handling the Lexan, the slightest scratch seems to show up easily. I don't know if after heating it up and cooling it, if it will make the lexan itself harder and more resistant to scratches. Hopefully I won't be wasting my money working with Lexan because this stuff is pretty expensive
__________________
bLAh
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-29-2007, 04:39 PM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,276
I'm seeing frustration in your future.
I would have gone with the frame idea if I were you, but I am not. So, good luck.
__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin


blk 92' LSL w/ average mods

pics here http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/yourconfused/


Cash68: "Hmm, I wouldn't brag about beating Escorts. That's like saying you tricked a retarded person."
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 11-29-2007, 04:42 PM
94SubieSVX's Avatar
94SubieSVX 94SubieSVX is offline
OOC for a while
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 1,552
Send a message via AIM to 94SubieSVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by YourConfused View Post
I'm seeing frustration in your future.
I would have gone with the frame idea if I were you, but I am not. So, good luck.

I like the frame idea, but the way I'm understanding it, it doesn't sound like there will be constant contact between the lexan and headlight once I put it on after it's heated up. Using the frame to me would work better on a flat surface, or surface with only once curve. Instead of our headlights which have a slight compound curve in them.



EDIT- Wow, I just re-read your explanation of the frame. I now fully understand what you mean.
You're saying make it so the lexan streches over the headlight right? ANd you would pull it down with the handles you were saying to make. Kind of like when you put saran wrap over a bowl right?
__________________
bLAh
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-29-2007, 07:43 PM
Crazy_pilot's Avatar
Crazy_pilot Crazy_pilot is offline
Moar shifty!
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada. Eh?
Posts: 4,560
Send a message via MSN to Crazy_pilot
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by 94SubieSVX View Post
EDIT- Wow, I just re-read your explanation of the frame. I now fully understand what you mean.
You're saying make it so the lexan streches over the headlight right? ANd you would pull it down with the handles you were saying to make. Kind of like when you put saran wrap over a bowl right?
That's it. Here's a picture of the idea:



The lexan is held in that frame, then heated, then the frame is pulled down over the headlight. The Lexan will stretch over the headlights.
__________________
Chris

92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold
2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl

Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-29-2007, 09:49 PM
94SubieSVX's Avatar
94SubieSVX 94SubieSVX is offline
OOC for a while
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 1,552
Send a message via AIM to 94SubieSVX
That is EXACTLY what I had finally figured out how 'your confused'(haha how ironic of a name) was saying.

The one thing that gets me is that when the lexan stretches it's gonna get thinner than the 1/8" it already is. I think I'll try a thicker piece next, maybe 3/16" or even 1/4". The 1/4" would probably thin out to about 1/8" after it stretches.


I think before I open the bag of plaster I'll try out the strech-over-the-headlight idea first. That way if it works(probably will) I can get my $15 back
__________________
bLAh
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11-30-2007, 07:22 AM
b3lha's Avatar
b3lha b3lha is offline
Phil & Belha
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Alcyone Limited, Buckinghamshire UK
Posts: 2,671
The best way to do this is to find somebody with a vacuum forming machine.

It holds the lexan in a frame, heats it up, pulls it down over the mould and sucks out all the air for a perfect fit.

http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/vacform1.htm
__________________
Subaru ECU and TCU Website
1992 Alcyone SVX Version L
1992 Alcyone SVX Version L
1994 Alcyone SVX S40-II
2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sports Tourer
1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2 GX Wagon
1988 Subaru Justy J12 SL-II
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 11-30-2007, 09:18 AM
superru superru is offline
just trying to fix it!
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: salt lake city
Posts: 112
Registered SVX
we have a vac-form machine here at my work. next couple weeks i'll try to make a mold of the head lights. but wouldn't forming over the stock light make a negitive mold that is 1/8" bigger (all the way around) than the stock light. then cutting the stock light the new mold wouldn't fit. so you would have to (inside the new neg mold) whatever the thickness of the material your using, line the inside with that. then when you pull the new mold of the "smaller" one, it will fit the stock housing perfect! did i loose anyone?
let me know if i've missed something.
__________________
uhh ya it's a subaru
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 11-30-2007, 09:45 AM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,276
That sounds about right superru.
__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin


blk 92' LSL w/ average mods

pics here http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/yourconfused/


Cash68: "Hmm, I wouldn't brag about beating Escorts. That's like saying you tricked a retarded person."
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 11-30-2007, 01:03 PM
94SubieSVX's Avatar
94SubieSVX 94SubieSVX is offline
OOC for a while
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 1,552
Send a message via AIM to 94SubieSVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by b3lha View Post
The best way to do this is to find somebody with a vacuum forming machine.

It holds the lexan in a frame, heats it up, pulls it down over the mould and sucks out all the air for a perfect fit.

http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/vacform1.htm

I wish I would have the money to be able to use a vacuum forming machine. The whole reason I'm trying this is so it will be a whole lot cheaper than the small car lenses. Also, I don't think many people would want to buy these, so unless there's about 20 people or so it wouldn't be worth it.



Quote:
Originally Posted by superru View Post
we have a vac-form machine here at my work. next couple weeks i'll try to make a mold of the head lights. but wouldn't forming over the stock light make a negitive mold that is 1/8" bigger (all the way around) than the stock light. then cutting the stock light the new mold wouldn't fit. so you would have to (inside the new neg mold) whatever the thickness of the material your using, line the inside with that. then when you pull the new mold of the "smaller" one, it will fit the stock housing perfect! did i loose anyone?
let me know if i've missed something.

That makes sense but I'm not going to make one single mold. I'll be using the "frame method" to make each clear headlight.
__________________
bLAh
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 12-01-2007, 12:45 PM
Tim's Avatar
Tim Tim is offline
My car's Italian, right?
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Posts: 3,304
Send a message via AIM to Tim
Just remember to make me the lexan headlight covers for my glass headlights
__________________
Tim
92 Liquid Silver SVX 5MT
2009 BMW Z4 (Gone)
2012 Camry V6 SE
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 12-03-2007, 05:36 AM
superru superru is offline
just trying to fix it!
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: salt lake city
Posts: 112
Registered SVX
the vacu form method is not all the complicated, if you have the time and some mechanical skills you can make a small "one purpose" machine.
basicly just a lower table with small holes in it that you set your peice on, and the "frame" that is pictured earlier sits on top of the lower table.
mabie a shop-vac would provide enough suction. but to heat up the plastic... you could put it in a electric oven about 300-350 works pretty good.
then suck away!!
__________________
uhh ya it's a subaru
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 12-03-2007, 09:05 AM
SilverSpear's Avatar
SilverSpear SilverSpear is offline
Still 1.7K to go...
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lebanon, Middle East
Posts: 7,563
Send a message via AIM to SilverSpear Send a message via MSN to SilverSpear Send a message via Skype™ to SilverSpear
Registered SVX
Well if anybody wants to take this to the next level, I highly suggest removing the OEM lens alone and working on it with a vacuum machine.

It would facilitate everything

and b3lha, great link (as always )
__________________
Danny

1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon)
1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 12-03-2007, 01:02 PM
94SubieSVX's Avatar
94SubieSVX 94SubieSVX is offline
OOC for a while
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 1,552
Send a message via AIM to 94SubieSVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverSpear View Post
Well if anybody wants to take this to the next level, I highly suggest removing the OEM lens alone and working on it with a vacuum machine.

It would facilitate everything

Doing it like that would make it alot easier. I'm not sure if a shop vac would provide enough suction though?
__________________
bLAh
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 12-03-2007, 02:47 PM
superru superru is offline
just trying to fix it!
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: salt lake city
Posts: 112
Registered SVX
ya i'm not really sure, it might. when i get a chance i'll have to give it a shot.
__________________
uhh ya it's a subaru
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122