Maintenance & Restoration

LWEBB · 08-07-2011, 06:54 AM

James, Yes I've been making reproductions of light fixtures and lenses for a while now. Pretty much a one man show. I restored a very rare Airstream and needed lenses. I had one side light lens, made a cast of that then retooled the cast and then made a new mold then cast them in both amber and red. Years ago I worked for Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta and molding and casting was my specialty. I recently retired form UGA as head of the graphic design area for the school of art. I have started a small business selling replacement and hand made replicas of parts for people. A friend in the TCT group asked if I would make the replacement lens for the UHaul. It will be the biggest lens I've cast so far and as I told him would not be cheap. He he would buy two sets if I would tackle it.
Sorry I didn't mean that to get so long.
Lanny

CindyL · 08-07-2011, 07:42 AM

We might be interested in a set for our Uhaul VT.

Another Uhaul lens cover that you might consider are the marker light covers. The originals say "Uhaul." Replacements that you can still get from Uhaul do not have the Uhaul name.

CindyL

LWEBB · 08-07-2011, 07:56 AM

I'd be happy to make sets for anyone interested if you're patient.

Because of the size I can only make one a day! That's one lens not one set.

The cast has to sit in a pressure pot under heat for 16 hours and the UHaul lens mold pretty much takes up all the room in the pot. The mold has to be a minimum thickness of two inches on every side.

The resin is two part UV resistant urethane. Both parts have to be separately put through a degassing chamber to eliminate any trapped moisture and air then when mixed, degassed a second time. Ordinarily I can cast five or six lenses in the same amount of time the UHaul lens will take!
lanny

LWEBB · 08-07-2011, 07:57 AM

Cindy, How big are the UHaul VT lenses? What does UHaul charge for the replacement?
lanny

keekers · 08-07-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWEBB

I'd be happy to make sets for anyone interested if you're patient.

Because of the size I can only make one a day! That's one lens not one set.

The cast has to sit in a pressure pot under heat for 16 hours and the UHaul lens mold pretty much takes up all the room in the pot. The mold has to be a minimum thickness of two inches on every side.

The resin is two part UV resistant urethane. Both parts have to be separately put through a degassing chamber to eliminate any trapped moisture and air then when mixed, degassed a second time. Ordinarily I can cast five or six lenses in the same amount of time the UHaul lens will take!
lanny

Lanny,
I'll be interested to follow your progress/process. If the price is reasonable I would want a set for my CT13.
Patti

Panoz77 · 08-07-2011, 01:34 PM

I guess for me it will come down to price, with the amount of time to make a set, it sounds like they will be pricey. What do you expect the cost for a set ballpark? Are we talking <$50.00?

Donna D. · 08-07-2011, 04:09 PM

I think this is going to be great if it works out for everyone. I'm just curious about how you're going to make sure the lenses meet DOT specifications for tail lights. All the lenses I've seen are stamped D.O.T. and some number....

CindyL · 08-07-2011, 04:27 PM

My husband, Kevin, asked if these lights, being one color are legal.

CindyL

Patty S. · 08-07-2011, 05:25 PM

I may be interested in the tail light lenses, also.

Panoz77 · 08-07-2011, 05:32 PM

Well I've never been stopped by the DOT taillight inspecter, but I guess there is a first time for everything.

Donna D. · 08-07-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panoz77

Well I've never been stopped by the DOT taillight inspecter, but I guess there is a first time for everything.

Me either James. But some individuals need to get their trailers inspected in order to get it registered and titled. Lights are something that's looked at...

LWEBB · 08-07-2011, 06:05 PM

OK I don't have answers to the legality question but most tail lights are red only so I would assume there wouldn't be a problem. The top would be the red tail light as most campers have then the bottom would be the turn and brake lights correct? I don't have a UHaul so I'm not clear on that.

The fellow I'm making them for agreed to a solid red one as making a two color (amber/Red) lens would be over the top price wise unless he won the lottery. But yes they will be pricey even in solid red.

I'll need to get at least a $100 a pair plus shipping. I know that's gonna kill the idea for most everybody but these are going to be REALLY difficult to cast.
I think now I shouldn't have posted anything until I made his set to assess the quality and feasibility of making more. I don't want to sell anything that's not top quality. My apologies to all.
Lanny

Panoz77 · 08-07-2011, 06:06 PM

I understand, all inspectors are different, mine had to be inspected but they did not go into that kind of detail, not even close. However, if the molds are right all the detail from the actual lenses should be transferred to the mold, even the DOT lettering.