Hypertek Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Alright guys, I scored a G nose, that I am excited about.. still haven't found the right car yet. But I like to plan things ahead. Got an idea on how to do the lens bought a sheet of lexan from home depot that I will try to shape and trim . Then for the chrome ring, I was thinking about universal molding trim that they sell at auto stores and online http://www.ebay.com/itm/20mm-Chrome-Molding-Trim-dash-door-Side-Roof-VOLKSWAGEN-/290669394937?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43ad3efbf9&vxp=mtr. I am hoping that with a lil heat manipulation these will be able to conform to the tighter radius bends around the front. I am trying to figure out what size in MM would work best to match the actual metal frames. Here is initial measurement of the headlight bucket just to give an idea. Here is a general idea of what 15mm strip would look like 20mm and 18mm Now from what I see on ebay, 20 and 15 are widely available. 17-18 looks like it is harder to find in that size. Haven't checked local stores, since I would assume ebay and online would be cheaper. What size do you guys think is close judging from reference pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DREW RBZ Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Sounds easy. Cant wait to see the result :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted February 23, 2013 Author Share Posted February 23, 2013 Went and ordered 18mm chrome trim roll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceVance Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Subscribed: I've got a lexan project in mind, eager to see how this one comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 I am hoping the chrome trim will hide the edges. I counter sunk some screws into the lens. I did screw up that front bottom one. With the lexan costing $19, I think I can live with it , once hidden lol. I gotta clean up the edges a little more. Also, after heating and clamping, the lexan does not retain that shape, it still flattens out. I don't know what I am doing wrong here, but seems to be decent when bolted down. But there are a few areas that are spreading out/not sitting flat against the body. I must not give up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 I may cut another set out to see if I can get it cleaner, and also might as well try a thinner acrylic sheet. This is 18mm width chrome molding. Gotta figure out how to curve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snailed Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 I would make the trim rind out of a flat sheet of stainless. It would cost a little more but the result would be much nicer since the shape would be molded to the car and there would be no seam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 that would be a good idea if I knew how to bend it. THis chrome trim just crinkles up when bended with heat.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 I take that back, i do have a sheet of stainless steel, i could cut out like you said. I don't know how I would accomplish the rolled edges though, maybe just leave it flat and sealed with molding tape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snailed Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 You can bend it over your knee, a bottle, whatever, it would be less than an inch wide, right? Something around 1/16" thick could have the edges sanded to a nice radius and then polished. It wouldn't have a full dome shape to it but it could still look nice if you do it carefully. I make SS trim this way sometimes and it works well. Do you have access to a bead roller? You could give the whole strip an arched profile by drawing the shape out on your flat sheet, bead rolling a wide bead between the lines, then cut out and finish. Another option to get the rolled under edges is using much thinner stainless and hammering over a form. It would have to be a collapsible buck since the part is continuous. Here is some windshield trim pieces I made for a '67 toyota 2000GT using this method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypertek Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 Thats an idea, thanks. Those windshield trim pieces you made look awesome. Can I cut the shape out of a flat piece of wood, than make the metal piece just slightly bigger, boit it down, than hammer the edges? I think my stainless steel sheet might be a little too thick. I do got an old filing cabinet a friend gave me, that I can cut up , it is thinner steel. I would have to sand the surface to get to the bare metal, than work on polishing it. I wonder if I should get some tin snips or use my autobody air saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xnke Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 If you use mild steel (filing cabinet metal) then you will need to paint it or have it plated...it will not polish to the same level as stainless nor will it remain bright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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