Molds
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=82444
Printed Date: May 02, 2024 at 6:45 AM
Topic: Molds
Posted By: 03blks
Subject: Molds
Date Posted: September 03, 2006 at 9:39 PM
So i have made a fiberglass sub enclosure for my car but that is the only fiberglassing i have done. I am looking to make fiberglass eyelids for my car and was wondering the best way to do this. I want to be able to duplicate the eyelids numerous times because i have many people who would love to buy them. How should i go about doing this? also whats the best things to use for the whole process? i was looking to buy chopped at to make them would that be ok? thanks in advance.
Replies:
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 12:49 AM
Chopped mat would be good. I would buy a pair of headlights so you don't have to do it on your car every time. Tape off EVERYTHING and spray it with pam. Draw the shape of the eyelid with a sharpie on the tape. If you're doing it a bunch, I would cut the shape out of posterboard to get it exact every time. When you lay the fiberglass, go about 2" past the mark. The marker will transfer from the tape to the fiberglass after it hardens. Put 2-3 good layers on before you remove it. After that, prep it for paint like you would any other fiberglass. IMO that would be easier than making a mold.
Posted By: placid warrior
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 1:19 AM
https://www.geocities.com/placidwarrior_1/Ion_eyelids.html I made my own eyelids, however i'm not sure if its the best way by using the light for every set unless u get yourself a spare set of lights. I tried plaster of paris...not the greatest, however i had one guy tell me he had moulds made from truck bed liner spray. He would send in his project and they would put a release agent on or whatever so nothing stuck, then they would spray on a few layers making it nice and thick, then they would add pieces of stick or something to give it some bulk and then spray some more and just build up a decent mould that way...sounds like something i would try if i had a mass order but when u sell only a few here and there its not a big deal to just use the lights (just remember to mask well). In my link i have attachment points but i also made a set that requires double sided adhesive. I did a set of rear light covers for my car using 3M tape which still seem to be holding just fine.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 8:43 AM
whats is the best tape to use for masking?
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 10:26 AM
austincustoms wrote:
Chopped mat would be good. I would buy a pair of headlights so you don't have to do it on your car every time. Tape off EVERYTHING and spray it with pam. Draw the shape of the eyelid with a sharpie on the tape. If you're doing it a bunch, I would cut the shape out of posterboard to get it exact every time. When you lay the fiberglass, go about 2" past the mark. The marker will transfer from the tape to the fiberglass after it hardens. Put 2-3 good layers on before you remove it. After that, prep it for paint like you would any other fiberglass.
IMO that would be easier than making a mold.
when you say spry on pam is that on the lght or on the tape after you put it on the light?
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 11:06 AM
03blks wrote:
whats is the best tape to use for masking?
We recommend using 3M 233+ Green Automotive Tape. Easy to find, and leaves no residue if removed from a painted surface in less than 24 hours (even in direct sunlight) Some people like to use the 14-day blue painters tape, but we have found that the adhesive leaves a SLIGHT residue even if it's only been on for a few hours. Not exactly fun for finishing paint jobs or creating something on customer's cars to have to clean off the residue. 03blks wrote:
austincustoms wrote:
Chopped mat would be good. I would buy a pair of headlights so you don't have to do it on your car every time. Tape off EVERYTHING and spray it with pam. Draw the shape of the eyelid with a sharpie on the tape. If you're doing it a bunch, I would cut the shape out of posterboard to get it exact every time. When you lay the fiberglass, go about 2" past the mark. The marker will transfer from the tape to the fiberglass after it hardens. Put 2-3 good layers on before you remove it. After that, prep it for paint like you would any other fiberglass.IMO that would be easier than making a mold.
when you say spry on pam is that on the lght or on the tape after you put it on the light?
Tape the light off, then spray. Pam works ok, but if you are going to make a multiple-use repeatable mold, we HIGHLY recommend getting mold release instead. Leaves no residue and allows for perfect replications every time with no damage to the mold or the product. Find it at marine centers and automotive shops. TIP: A little goes a LONG way. Well worth the little extra to make a lot more money in a short time. ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: crazyoldcougar
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 11:12 AM
on the tape...
you can buy urethane to make molds from...especially if itsometing small like eye lids...(depending on the car i suppose) i would go that route..
make your first set perfect then make a mold around them...i would just build a simple little box that was deep enough to account for the total depth of the piece plus a a 1/2" or so...fill the box with the urethane and then place your pieces in face down...just until they are submerged enough to displace the urethan but not cover the top of the piece...(you only need to copy the front of it, if it was preped and finished properly then when you uild up new pieces in the mold the back will take the shape of the front...)
-------------
Fiberglass Guru.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 11:32 AM
ok well i have a 3002 corolla and the headlights are not flat they have a curve to them. so how could i make a mold for them that will replicate the curve on the front and back of the eyelid so t will sit flush everytime? im new to this so sorry for the stupid questions
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 11:35 AM
sorry 2003 corolla
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 6:15 PM
Any mold you make should follow the curvature of the headlight.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 6:43 PM
so i should make a mold of the headlight or of the eyelids?
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: September 04, 2006 at 11:46 PM
whichever you prefer. Both are totally different procedures though.
Posted By: placid warrior
Date Posted: September 05, 2006 at 1:59 AM
at least half the headlight would be a neat idea cause then u could change each eylid if u wanted to do a couple one off sets of eyelids, then u could come up with one really easy to make style of lid and sell em for one price as well as doing unique lids and selling em for a bit more...theres usually a couple people that will like to have custom lids.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 05, 2006 at 9:36 AM
ya i think im going to make a mold of the headlight and make the eyelids off of there. im gonna make the mold from plaster of paris. i just ordered some resin and body filler and am about to win 3 rolls of 100yards 6in wide of chopped mat for $25 shipped total. So hopefully within a week or so i will have all my supplies.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 13, 2006 at 3:22 PM
| ok so can someone in detail explain how to make a mold of my eyelids soi can replicate them quick and easy. i have 12 people right now ready to buy i just need an easy way to replicate them easily. thanks | |
Posted By: maglin
Date Posted: September 13, 2006 at 5:42 PM
i didn't see this yet... but isn't it illegal to cover up street running lights? just a thought. its bloody awesome past that.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 13, 2006 at 7:08 PM
it would only be illegal if it obstructed the light output.
cmon yall i know some one can give me a step by step. i understand how to make a mol if it has a flat surface but the eyelids will not so how can i make a mold to duplicate it many times over?
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 3:49 AM
Laws also vary from state to state. So a set of eyelids may be ok in one state and not ok in another. As for reproducing, one of our girls suggested making a split mold. Get a hold of someone in an advanced ceramics class at the University or Community College near you. They'll know how to properly make a split mold that is reusable to make the eyelids over and over, then just trim the injection points. Some of this may not make much sense, but when you get a hold of the ceramics person, the person will explain it in detail for you. She's not too familiar with the step by steps and I am just the messenger. One of our guys knows how to do it but I don't want to make a mistake when I pass the information along. Good luck. ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: 03blks
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 6:39 AM
thanks bellsracer i apreciae it
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 7:32 PM
No problem. Post some pics when you get it going. Good Luck! ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: HottAccord
Date Posted: September 16, 2006 at 8:17 PM
placid warrior wrote:
https://www.geocities.com/placidwarrior_1/Ion_eyelids.html
I made my own eyelids, however i'm not sure if its the best way by using the light for every set unless u get yourself a spare set of lights. I tried plaster of paris...not the greatest, however i had one guy tell me he had moulds made from truck bed liner spray. He would send in his project and they would put a release agent on or whatever so nothing stuck, then they would spray on a few layers making it nice and thick, then they would add pieces of stick or something to give it some bulk and then spray some more and just build up a decent mould that way...sounds like something i would try if i had a mass order but when u sell only a few here and there its not a big deal to just use the lights (just remember to mask well).
In my link i have attachment points but i also made a set that requires double sided adhesive. I did a set of rear light covers for my car using 3M tape which still seem to be holding just fine.
Wow I gotta give it to you man, those eyelids came out excellent, nice job! ------------- Im a fiberglass whore!!
|