Clear Forward Turn Signal/Running and Sidemarker Lenses for Turbo and S2
04-09-2003, 12:02 AM
#46
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Scott (LSU), this new idea has only been raised for a little over a day. Let's let it percolate and see who comes in after a week. I'm not getting into Flea-Bay sales or sinking a few grand into molds without a backing of quite a few 951/S2 owners.
I stuck my neck out on the headlight and battery cable packages. Those ended up being a cinch because the improvement is so dramatic and people appreciated the quality of work.
But cosmetics are another issue altogether. Though, if you talk to your wife or girl, it is pretty important ..... <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
I stuck my neck out on the headlight and battery cable packages. Those ended up being a cinch because the improvement is so dramatic and people appreciated the quality of work.
But cosmetics are another issue altogether. Though, if you talk to your wife or girl, it is pretty important ..... <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
04-09-2003, 12:27 AM
#49
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I doubt this is possible, but can the existing amber plastic be "bleached" clear? I say doubt because the plastic is made with that amber coloring, so it's not painted on or anything. It's amber all the way through.
Another ghetto alternative is to make your own. I've seen (pictures) on some tail lights where they have taken a piece of Plexiglas and heated it to conform to a simple design once it's cut. Then they take chrome spray paint and paint the inside to give it a dirty reflective appearance for lack of a better description.
I could do without the chrome spray paint, but I am curious to the Plexiglas idea. But only if it's possible to somehow get those little reflective groves on the inside to make it look real.
Maybe by having a piece of metal with the reverse reflector cut heated up and placed on the Plexiglas to kind of "melt" into the back of the makeshift lens. I don't know. That's just an idea. I think I've had too much cough syrup today. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
At this point by all the costs associated with making real ones making your own might be something to look into as well. And still have it look good enough to put on ones Porsche.
Another ghetto alternative is to make your own. I've seen (pictures) on some tail lights where they have taken a piece of Plexiglas and heated it to conform to a simple design once it's cut. Then they take chrome spray paint and paint the inside to give it a dirty reflective appearance for lack of a better description.
I could do without the chrome spray paint, but I am curious to the Plexiglas idea. But only if it's possible to somehow get those little reflective groves on the inside to make it look real.
Maybe by having a piece of metal with the reverse reflector cut heated up and placed on the Plexiglas to kind of "melt" into the back of the makeshift lens. I don't know. That's just an idea. I think I've had too much cough syrup today. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
At this point by all the costs associated with making real ones making your own might be something to look into as well. And still have it look good enough to put on ones Porsche.
04-09-2003, 05:22 AM
#50
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I doubt this is possible, but can the existing amber plastic be "bleached" clear? I say doubt because the plastic is made with that amber coloring, so it's not painted on or anything. It's amber all the way through.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">It can be done. I have tested it. All you need is a special UV-light and a suitable box which can handle heat. Only negative thing is large amount of time this procedure will take. It will easily take couple of weeks with UV-light <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />
04-09-2003, 10:11 AM
#51
Geaux Tigers!
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by IceShark:
<strong>Scott (LSU), this new idea has only been raised for a little over a day. Let's let it percolate and see who comes in after a week. I'm not getting into Flea-Bay sales or sinking a few grand into molds without a backing of quite a few 951/S2 owners.
I stuck my neck out on the headlight and battery cable packages. Those ended up being a cinch because the improvement is so dramatic and people appreciated the quality of work.
But cosmetics are another issue altogether. Though, if you talk to your wife or girl, it is pretty important ..... <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Beleive me I hope you get it done and if anyone can it's you. I as much posted the last post to pull the post back up top as anyting.
Good Luck! <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
<strong>Scott (LSU), this new idea has only been raised for a little over a day. Let's let it percolate and see who comes in after a week. I'm not getting into Flea-Bay sales or sinking a few grand into molds without a backing of quite a few 951/S2 owners.
I stuck my neck out on the headlight and battery cable packages. Those ended up being a cinch because the improvement is so dramatic and people appreciated the quality of work.
But cosmetics are another issue altogether. Though, if you talk to your wife or girl, it is pretty important ..... <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Beleive me I hope you get it done and if anyone can it's you. I as much posted the last post to pull the post back up top as anyting.
Good Luck! <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />
<img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
04-09-2003, 10:22 AM
#52
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Olli, I seriously doubt you could bleach the plastic crystal clear with an UV attack. Crystal clear plastic is a problem. And I suspect the plastic would be so brittle after that, that it would turn to dust if you looked at it wrong.
Another idea would be to put some sort of silver deposition coating on the lens. A couple of bulb manufacturers are doing this to amber glass bulbs. Such as Phillips with their European SilverVision turn signal bulbs.
I looked into this in a half-assed fashion a year ago and talked to 3M and got some samples. The problem is we are too small for them to screw around with us and I would need everyone's lenses here in MN so they could do the coating. And this coating cuts light transmission so one would have to play with how much to put on. And get a more powerfull bulb. I don't think anyone makes an 1157 dual filament bulb larger than 21/5 watt. In summary, it is a mess that is probably as much trouble as casting clear lenses in the first place.
Another idea would be to put some sort of silver deposition coating on the lens. A couple of bulb manufacturers are doing this to amber glass bulbs. Such as Phillips with their European SilverVision turn signal bulbs.
I looked into this in a half-assed fashion a year ago and talked to 3M and got some samples. The problem is we are too small for them to screw around with us and I would need everyone's lenses here in MN so they could do the coating. And this coating cuts light transmission so one would have to play with how much to put on. And get a more powerfull bulb. I don't think anyone makes an 1157 dual filament bulb larger than 21/5 watt. In summary, it is a mess that is probably as much trouble as casting clear lenses in the first place.
04-09-2003, 11:40 AM
#54
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"> Olli, I seriously doubt you could bleach the plastic crystal clear with an UV attack. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I tested it, it worked.It only took too much time.
I have a clear Osram bulbs with my Swede made front blinker glass. These Osram's give amber color when they are in use.
I have a clear Osram bulbs with my Swede made front blinker glass. These Osram's give amber color when they are in use.
04-09-2003, 12:11 PM
#55
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Olli, how did the plastic hold up and how clear did it end up being?
Now these Osram blinker bulbs that flash amber. The ones I have seen are silver, not clear. Can you send me some links to take a look at what exactly they are? And maybe drop one in an envelope so I can take a look at it? Europe and North America are totally seperate markets and these manufacturers don't like to cross-sell at all. It is like pulling teeth to get information. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
Now these Osram blinker bulbs that flash amber. The ones I have seen are silver, not clear. Can you send me some links to take a look at what exactly they are? And maybe drop one in an envelope so I can take a look at it? Europe and North America are totally seperate markets and these manufacturers don't like to cross-sell at all. It is like pulling teeth to get information. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
04-09-2003, 01:29 PM
#56
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Another thought on that vacuum bag idea. I did some of this in college and I'm not sure it will work but I did find this site below.
<a href="http://www.tapeease.com/vacuum_bags.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tapeease.com/vacuum_bags.htm</a>
You would need to create a way of heating the plastic a bit. After that I'm thinking that a stock lense with lots of holes drilled in it to create suction(pull the plastic onto the lense) could allow for an inexpensive way to vacuum form the top part of these lenses. This means we would have to resort to the cut and glue method...but I'm thinking it might work. Anyone else with experience in this area?
I'm also wondering if there are plastics that are clear that can be used in vacuum forming? I've only had experience with solid colors. Any thoughts here?
<a href="http://www.tapeease.com/vacuum_bags.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tapeease.com/vacuum_bags.htm</a>
You would need to create a way of heating the plastic a bit. After that I'm thinking that a stock lense with lots of holes drilled in it to create suction(pull the plastic onto the lense) could allow for an inexpensive way to vacuum form the top part of these lenses. This means we would have to resort to the cut and glue method...but I'm thinking it might work. Anyone else with experience in this area?
I'm also wondering if there are plastics that are clear that can be used in vacuum forming? I've only had experience with solid colors. Any thoughts here?
04-10-2003, 02:23 AM
#57
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Olli, how did the plastic hold up and how clear did it end up being?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I tested it with some old Toyota lenses. Didn't want to destroy my 951 ones. Plastic held up OK and i was able to get rid of all of the amber color.It just took so much time. In my case this treatment took well over a week....
I check out these Osrams for you. Here in Finland there are clear Osrams & Philips bulbs available which give amber light.
I check out these Osrams for you. Here in Finland there are clear Osrams & Philips bulbs available which give amber light.
04-10-2003, 06:25 AM
#58
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Olli Snellman:
<strong>I check out these Osrams for you. Here in Finland there are clear Osrams & Philips bulbs available which give amber light.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That is what I thought but I can't find them on the European web sites and my bulb supplier doesn't know about them. He knows about the new Benz and Bimmer bulbs that are silver and have goofy bayonet nipples that are offset about 120 degrees rather than 180.
Take some pictures of them off and on and post.
If we ever get this clear lens project off the ground we are going to need a couple hundred of the dual filament 1157 style in 21/5 watt (32/4 candlepower) and little 5 watt 97's for the sidemarkers.
The only good thing is we have volume, sort of. The little 97's are going to be a problem, I think. I also talked to a LED manufacturer on the 97 and they want well over $10 for their bulbs and you need to order 700, minimum. That doesn't sound too promising, but I have some samples being sent to take a look at. Even if I twist their arm and get only 200 it is going to cost a small fortune. 200 x $20 = $4,000 USD. Yikes! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
<strong>I check out these Osrams for you. Here in Finland there are clear Osrams & Philips bulbs available which give amber light.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That is what I thought but I can't find them on the European web sites and my bulb supplier doesn't know about them. He knows about the new Benz and Bimmer bulbs that are silver and have goofy bayonet nipples that are offset about 120 degrees rather than 180.
Take some pictures of them off and on and post.
If we ever get this clear lens project off the ground we are going to need a couple hundred of the dual filament 1157 style in 21/5 watt (32/4 candlepower) and little 5 watt 97's for the sidemarkers.
The only good thing is we have volume, sort of. The little 97's are going to be a problem, I think. I also talked to a LED manufacturer on the 97 and they want well over $10 for their bulbs and you need to order 700, minimum. That doesn't sound too promising, but I have some samples being sent to take a look at. Even if I twist their arm and get only 200 it is going to cost a small fortune. 200 x $20 = $4,000 USD. Yikes! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
04-10-2003, 11:40 AM
#59
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Are these the 5 watt bulbs in the sidemarker (I'm a Euro, so....)? If so, Osram have them!
<a href="http://catalog.myosram.com/sap/its/mimes/zisaglobal/99/asp/omd/ecz_040.asp?myEan=4050300170114&sid=P2C:APP-ISA-p2C.mch.osram.de:0000.0396.770456c4&language=EN" target="_blank">http://catalog.m yosram.com/sap/its/mimes/zisaglobal/99/asp/omd/ecz_040.asp?myEan=4050300170114&sid=P2C:APP-ISA-p2C.mch.osram.de:0000.0396.770456c4&language=EN</a>
(sorry! dodgy link, but it's the bulb on row 5)
As for clear bulbs that give orange light, I've only ever seen them on modern luxury cars, so maybe we should expect to pay........?
What are the twin filament bulbs for? My front indicators are small single filament? I'll check the type later.
<a href="http://catalog.myosram.com/sap/its/mimes/zisaglobal/99/asp/omd/ecz_040.asp?myEan=4050300170114&sid=P2C:APP-ISA-p2C.mch.osram.de:0000.0396.770456c4&language=EN" target="_blank">http://catalog.m yosram.com/sap/its/mimes/zisaglobal/99/asp/omd/ecz_040.asp?myEan=4050300170114&sid=P2C:APP-ISA-p2C.mch.osram.de:0000.0396.770456c4&language=EN</a>
(sorry! dodgy link, but it's the bulb on row 5)
As for clear bulbs that give orange light, I've only ever seen them on modern luxury cars, so maybe we should expect to pay........?
What are the twin filament bulbs for? My front indicators are small single filament? I'll check the type later.
04-10-2003, 12:06 PM
#60
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Mike, those bulbs you linked are a wedge base. Our USA cars take a 15mm bayonet base (round with nubs sticking out 180 degrees opposed) bulb in 5 watts for the sidemarkers.
You are correct on the observation regarding typical signal bulbs. It just so happens that our 944 North American versions use an 1157 that has one filament that burns at 5 watts for a parking/running light and another 21 watt filament for turnsignal flashing duty.
You are correct on the observation regarding typical signal bulbs. It just so happens that our 944 North American versions use an 1157 that has one filament that burns at 5 watts for a parking/running light and another 21 watt filament for turnsignal flashing duty.