Feeler: Clear Headlight Lenses, Please vote! Options

[KAOS]

** I'm not sure if this needs approval because its in the Exterior Styling area, but mods please let me know... thanks! **

So - I have been in talks with local companies (in Canada) that are willing to work with me to help create one of two clear lenses for our headlamps.

I've been researching two different ways;

Method #1: The poly injection method, which involves creating a polished steel mold for each headlight lens and is quite expensive, but would be a direct replacement for the glass, and sturdy as hell.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NedTUB7YQE0&NR=1

Method #2: The usual plexiglass/poly mold method, done in the past; however I have a different blueprint for how I'd like them molded so still very little customization would be needed (hopefully) to make them fit/seal properly. Pro's: definately more cost effective, and cons would be; there could be a ton of modifications to get them to work properly (MAYBE, depending on if my idea works) & they would take more time to make (high turnaround time).

I have a quote from the first project/idea, and its not "pretty" but I would prefer to go that route if possible because of the quality and the idea of having a direct replacement is very appealing to myself (having dealt with the clear lens molds from prior buys...)

I know what the previous clear lenses went for $$-wise, but in order to gauge what project I start, I need to know who's interested in what. I need to know the volume perspective to see if it will be worth while (and I'd get my invested money back) to go the first route... or if there's little to no interest for the clears, then I would pursue the molding method #2.

Post up with what you would prefer, and what you would be willing to spend on them.

PS - just a rough estimate; to make Method #1 a possibility, I would need to have at LEAST 200 units made... so yeah.

Summary:

1) Polycarbonate Injection Molding: MORE $$, DIRECT REPLACEMENT, GREAT QUALITY.

2) Poly/Lexan Heated Molding: LESS $$ than Injection Molding, NOT DIRECT REPLACEMENT (but possibly very close), still great quality, but long turn around time

PLEASE VOTE!

This post has been edited by KAOS: Oct 21, 2010 - 3:10 PM

[SynysterSt204]

Do it! id be willing to buy and im sure everyone else who doesnt wanna pay 800 for the projectors would as well lol

[350niZmo]

oh yeah. im interested too....ive already ordered some projectors from japan so it may take about 3 weeks for them to arrive...but i would definitely be intersted in the plexiglass/poly mold method.

[illneversellmyce...]

id buy, i just finished my projector retrofit and need the lenses

[deathdoakill]

hey guys im pretty knowlegable about this subject ive been making clear lenses tht go on the front bumper of our cars tht cover the headlights themselves for a month or so now idk if this is wut you are talking about but ive also made clear lenses that go on the headlights themselves replacing the glass if you want any info on this process it is very easy to do and low cost as well i can
do a work up step by step on how to do them and fabrication process if this is wut your talking about im on my phone rght now so i couldnt read the whole post its hving issues let me know

[KAOS]

hey guys im pretty knowlegable about this subject ive been making clear lenses tht go on the front bumper of our cars tht cover the headlights themselves for a month or so now idk if this is wut you are talking about but ive also made clear lenses that go on the headlights themselves replacing the glass if you want any info on this process it is very easy to do and low cost as well i can
do a work up step by step on how to do them and fabrication process if this is wut your talking about im on my phone rght now so i couldnt read the whole post its hving issues let me know

Thats exactly what I'm talking about; except having it professionally done and mass-produced so we have guaranteed fitment and possibly a direct replacement for the entire glass peice so it fits like OEM.

[deathdoakill]

well mass produced i can find out there are lots of places to do this in san antonio if you want i can find some nmes here idk if thht would you out thgh

[KAOS]

well mass produced i can find out there are lots of places to do this in san antonio if you want i can find some nmes here idk if thht would you out thgh

LOL - this is why it would help to read the entire post.

I already have someone willing to make the lenses. The purpose of this post is to see who would be interested in what...

Polyethylene Injection direct replacements - Expensive...
~or~
Plexiglass or Lexan molds which require a bit of modding to fit - Cheap

Either method could be mass produced given the amount of interest. So in order to budget accordingly I need to know who is interested in what type of development.

[Random_Stranger]

Pending on how soon these are done, I would be willing to pick up a set and lower what I intended on selling my Celica for because I kind of want to keep my projectors and knock $1k off asking price just to keep these in case down the road I get another Celica. Or make a quick sale and sell off my projectors separately... Either way, time is the issue. I plan on having a 350whp-450whp MR2 Widebody by March to set off the start of my new car club.

This post has been edited by Random_Stranger: Oct 21, 2010 - 10:00 AM

[350niZmo]

Plexi-glass

[sphinxxx]

yea count me in! and a set for my buddy!
but make it cheap for Canadians as well please!

[HectortheRican]

I plan on having a 350whp-450whp MR2 Widebody by March to set off the start of my new car club.

Custom widebody or a TRD2000GT replica?

[mgnt232]

I would be donw for them! the only reason I would buy projectors is actually cause of the clear lenses lol!
count me in, hope you get the interest your looking for

[georgie]

im interested.
what were the prices of the old lenses? just so i can get a ballpark price

[HectortheRican]

I'm also interested depending on the price.

[KAOS]

im interested.
what were the prices of the old lenses? just so i can get a ballpark price

Rayme was selling his for $100USD. Rayme's Clear Lenses - Old Thread

If molded (if I go the Lexan/Polycarbonate molding route) with the cost of Lexan (very strong) and the mold being as "direct replacement" as possible the price would be a little more than what he posted.

I have that set he was selling in this link, in fact I have his entire retrofit (see link in my signature) and I had to completely tear apart the retrofit and rebuild it from scratch. The lenses were a pain to get seated/sealed properly. Not his fault at all... it will happen with the molding, which is why I'm gunning for the Polycarbonate Injection method, which would essentially be an exact replica of the headlamp GLASS, great strength; just clear.

... I probably could have explained that a bit better in the first post... LOL.

This post has been edited by KAOS: Oct 21, 2010 - 1:21 PM

[bccentaur3]

I'd be willing to pay 200, for the 4 lenses if fitment were to be pretty damn good.

[KAOS]

Ok - I've changed this thread to a poll because a lot of you have specified that you'd be interested, but not in what particular method you would prefer... which is the information I'd need to carry the project further... lol.

Please vote at the top of the thread.

Thanks.

[georgie]

Thanks for the info kaos, i'd be willing to pay 200ish for 4 lenses that fit 100% and drop in easily!

[350niZmo]

How much do you think you will sell the set of 4 clear lenses shipped? (ball park idea)