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3 d printing cornering lamp lens?

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Old August 23rd, 2022, 12:35 AM
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3 d printing cornering lamp lens?

I recently finished repairing the damage to my trailer from a tire failure. I decided to install cornering lamps from a 68-69 Toronado to replace the original marker lamps. I’m not a fabricator, but I’m relatively pleased with the results.


Much to my wife’s disgust, I can’t leave well enough alone. Now, the front lamps look out of place. Clearly, I need front lamps to match!!

My question, how hard/expensive would it be to 3D print replacement 68-69 Toronado cornering lamp lenses in yellow? Is it possible? I know nothing about 3D printing, is there a material available that light will shine thru?

Just a thought.
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Old August 23rd, 2022, 04:38 AM
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If you just want yellow lenses you can use Alumilite to cast new lenses in a different color.

https://www.alumilite.com/products/epoxy/

If you need the lamp housing that would be more difficult to replicate. As you mentioned, 3D printing might be the way to go. I don't know much about it though. Good luck!
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Old August 23rd, 2022, 09:43 PM
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I have the housings, lamp holder gaskets, etc, just need the yellow lenses to make the DOT happy. I’ll look into that.
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Old August 24th, 2022, 10:04 AM
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Glad I could point you toward Alumilite. If you search on YouTube I'm sure there's a video showing how you can use Alumilite to cast new lenses.
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Old August 24th, 2022, 03:52 PM
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Cool project 😎. Post some pics if you get going, please.
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Old August 24th, 2022, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by fleming442
Cool project 😎. Post some pics if you get going, please.

This is the kind of encouragement I’m lacking in my life!!

My wife kinda bitched when I spent 50 bucks on the Toronado cornering lamps. She really looked at me kinda strange when I had the torches, welder, and lots of angle iron out in the driveway. She obviously knew about the tire, and the damage to the fender, but wasn't expecting repairs to be this involved. When I told her about the Toronado lamp installation, her exact words (keep in mind, this is an EXACT quote) were “why???”

Why indeed? Why not?
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Old August 25th, 2022, 05:12 AM
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If you only spent $50 on those cornering lamps let momma know that's a steal!
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Old August 25th, 2022, 06:00 AM
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My first thought was to make amber lowers for the 67 to create an "export" look. I already have a dedicated brake wire run to the 3rd brake light.
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Old August 25th, 2022, 10:01 AM
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To address the original question, yes, some (certainly not all) 3D printers are capable of printing acrylic or polycarbonate. Keep in mind the final product will be opaque (very cloudy - not clear). However, you can easily polish the printed plastic to produce a clear looking part. Not sure how much capability there would be for colored or tinted polycarbonate (red or yellow) but I suspect there might be options out there.
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Old August 25th, 2022, 10:06 AM
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I would cast it. Maybe do 3D to make a part, then put that in a mold, then pull it out and pour into the mold. Maybe acrylic tinted would work.
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