Hey want to say THANK YOU for this great post. Just finished my own brake light using your "gouge". Ex Navy pilot, and used a wall plaque from Vietnam era as a model. First one didn't come out... not enough catalyst and a little too dark. This one ROCKS... it is bright as hell too, which was my biggest goal...
This is cool as hell! Awesome job man! The resin looks so clear and bright. I hope nobody clips that wing or I can imagine the wrath that will ensue.
One thing I want to mention is please don't be shy about adding your advice or improvements on the method as you make lights. You light came out so smooth, any extra tips? How did you know how much dye to add? These were things I sort of glossed over in the original description, so please feel free to elaborate. PangeaSpeed's Andy has been a huge help adding to this post, and I'd like to hear more.
I'm currently working on a new light, and found that if you simply scoop out the section where the 1157 bulb will go in the clay/foam model before you make your silicone mold, when you pour the resin, you don't have to do all the carving of the resin when it's finished. Additionally, you can use a minimum amount of resin even for bigger lights (I'm down to about 2.5 oz!), so you can more bang for your buck.
Another trick I learned: you can fill in any bubbles that get trapped on the surface with clear nail polish. Add layers smooth and build it up and when you're done, you'll never know they were there.
You know, I should have taken a little more time in posting. First off, I did think about just what you mentioned. I dont think you can have this polyresin unsupported safely. So, there is a 1/4 inch steel plate behind it that you can see in the photo. I welded this on top of that plate Lowbrow offers for $65 bucks and then rattle canned it. BUT, what is cool is that I EMBEDDED the studs in the light, and then EMBEDDED the LED in the actual mold also. If you are thinking, " WTF, if the light breaks or burns out...." No problem! Because I have the mold just like in the article. Forever. I can pour one anytime I want... for about $21 total. And, because I drilled the holes in the plate, all I have to do is unscrew it from behind, and plop a new brake light in. Plus, the poly I used is Castin Craft, which I believe was already mentioned. Don't know why, but both times there were no bubbles at all... ? And I used the WHOLE bottle of dye, about an ounce... of the red, and half the bottle of the orange. And when you don't hollow the light out, it glows all through it and it is VERY STRONG. Anyway, thanks again for the great article. What a BLAST I had making this.
Jethro,
The light looks killer man, unbelievably clean and cool. I think you hit on the exact right amount of detail on the model, that's why you got a clean surface with no bubbles.
Embedding the LEDs and screws is a great idea! Brave, although the LEDs should last pretty long and give you good light. I was using the old standard 1157's, and because my bike is always blowing fuses I need to be able to change at a rest-stop if need be.
Interesting to mix the red and orange dye. I was exclusively using the red, just more for darker and less for lighter. To each his own on the colors; I like the deep red that is almost black when it's off, but it does increase your chances of getting shit-housed from the back.
Another idea is to cast in completely clear resin, and just use a red LED for the light. Don't know what that would look like, and there's DMV issues without a red lens, but I hope someone tries it because I'm curious.
Great job again, I'm so happy to see this on your bike!
I use a mechanical fuse now, 30 amp between the battery and ignition switch. I would NEVER go back to an inline fuse that needs replacing when blown, because I keep doing stupid things to short out my battery! LOL. Last time was dropping and open ended wrench right on top of the battery post and the bike.
Thanks for the heads up; I actually wrote that article and got a little bit of scratch for it, so no stealing going on at all. In fact, Eric and HotBike were great to work with and gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted for a cast. I have nothing to say but great things about the experience.
By the way, the wizard light that's featured in Hotbike (July 2010) is up for sale (with license plate bracket). PM me if interested...
Thanks for the heads up; I actually wrote that article and got a little bit of scratch for it, so no stealing going on at all. In fact, Eric and HotBike were great to work with and gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted for a cast. I have nothing to say but great things about the experience.
By the way, the wizard light that's featured in Hotbike (July 2010) is up for sale (with license plate bracket). PM me if interested...
Cool cool I was hoping it was something like that instead of them just stealing the idea and doing the tech and then claim it as theres....
So I made this brakelight out of an actual set of Brass Knuckles. I found some LED lights that perfectly fit and got a little rubber surround for them to fit into. They stuck out the back with the resistors and stuff, so i made a little mold with a sponge. I poured resin on the sponge to make it hard and then used that as a mold to fiberglass a little case piece.
Painted it flat-black and epoxied it on there. I love it and have never seen anything even close. I was thinking about making a few of 'em and selling them. Came out to about $80 in materials and just an assload of labor, considering how I don't have any real fiberglass experience.
So I made this brakelight out of an actual set of Brass Knuckles. I found some LED lights that perfectly fit and got a little rubber surround for them to fit into. They stuck out the back with the resistors and stuff, so i made a little mold with a sponge. I poured resin on the sponge to make it hard and then used that as a mold to fiberglass a little case piece.
Painted it flat-black and epoxied it on there. I love it and have never seen anything even close. I was thinking about making a few of 'em and selling them. Came out to about $80 in materials and just an assload of labor, considering how I don't have any real fiberglass experience.
What do you guys think?
Looks great man, and welcome aboard! This is a great modification of the original idea, I like that aspect. Your light could definitely kick my light's ass!
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Linear Mode
