light up emblems
07-04-2003, 07:35 PM
#1
500 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 924
k so heres the deal, im sure yall have seen those glowing like honda emblems, now heres my question, i have a pretty decent idea how to make one (try finding ANYTHING for a Kia) now ive figured how to make a mould of the original, how to make a plug outta clear casting resin or somethin like that,now, ive seen this attempted, in day time the thing looked almost stock, however the lighting on it at night basically sucked. the guy used 2 LEDs placed straight into the resin like head on so u basically have 2 glowing ***** behind chrome foil..... anyway, i figured on angling the LEDs towards the middle of the letter, (LEDs are brighter from the front then from the sides correct?) so any tips to make this happen would be greatly appreciated,
for the record, no i dont plan on putting this on my car, but i know plenty of people who would step over their own mother to get one of these if it worked out decent. anyhow like i said gimme yer input, specially if u have worked with backlit stuff, and LEDs before'
Thanks
for the record, no i dont plan on putting this on my car, but i know plenty of people who would step over their own mother to get one of these if it worked out decent. anyhow like i said gimme yer input, specially if u have worked with backlit stuff, and LEDs before'
Thanks
07-05-2003, 10:13 AM
#3
500 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 924
so would the angle of the LEDs play any kinda role in it? or no?
imma have to see what kinda costs this would incurr, if i can do it for cheap i mightbe lookin at a way to make some side cash , [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
im also lookin at possibly using the same kinda process to make white gauges, with the clear resin, painted then like have vinyl numbers or somethin made up.... once again i know a place where this would be in HIGH demand, so anyone knowin anything bout makin gauges lemme know too [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
imma have to see what kinda costs this would incurr, if i can do it for cheap i mightbe lookin at a way to make some side cash , [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
im also lookin at possibly using the same kinda process to make white gauges, with the clear resin, painted then like have vinyl numbers or somethin made up.... once again i know a place where this would be in HIGH demand, so anyone knowin anything bout makin gauges lemme know too [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
07-09-2003, 06:05 AM
#4
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Posts: n/a
Check out how they do it at the factory. Drill a hole halfway thru the plastic so you have a cone-shaped hole (ie: at the end, it looks like a cone from the inside).
Now, this will distribute the light evenly thru the plastic backer (almost). If u want the color to be faint, you are done. To make it more dramatic, you can sand the fascia of the plastic and it will appear "powdered" ... the light will be even across the sratched area. I think there is a paint you can paint it with to get the powdered effect.
Now, this will distribute the light evenly thru the plastic backer (almost). If u want the color to be faint, you are done. To make it more dramatic, you can sand the fascia of the plastic and it will appear "powdered" ... the light will be even across the sratched area. I think there is a paint you can paint it with to get the powdered effect.
07-09-2003, 06:22 AM
#5
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,692
i notice that we use 2 different types of super bight led's at work and actually there are different intensities. there are these ones a bluish color(all our led light up blue but what i mean is there material they physically are is blue) and then we have these clear ones. the clear ones light up 3x brighter, we've had complaints. because some units have this less bright one and guys are going nuts trying to match up 3-4 units with different brightness led's. maybe you can try getting a different one from a different supplier. did you cast the resin out of casting resin or just plain resin. csting resin is more transparent. the other thing is, is it full of bubbles. maybe you cast it too fast and introduced bubbles into it and now it f*&^s up the light dispertion. just some things to think about. as you can see i'm not horribly familiar. but 'm stabbibg in the dark to see if you can try any thing else. oh also , if you fill it ip with many leds' make sure that you can take it apart after so that you can replace the ones that go the way of the dodo. sorry last thing. when you drill the hole, use a tiny tip on a dremel tool to polish it up. that way you get better light dispertion. this is tough but i'm sure it's what you need. good luck
07-11-2003, 08:42 AM
#6
500 Watt CAFz'r
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 924
well i havent done anything on this yet, (im waitin to see if i can get a kia emblem from the dealer for cheap rather then pullin mine off.....)
that and the lack of funds thing.....
i was actually thinking of putting the LEDs IN the resin while its curing. bad idea? or what? more then likely this is gonna be one hell of a trial and error project, just cus ive never worked with ANY of the materials before in life lol. either way im sure it will be fun, keep the suggestions commin [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
that and the lack of funds thing.....
i was actually thinking of putting the LEDs IN the resin while its curing. bad idea? or what? more then likely this is gonna be one hell of a trial and error project, just cus ive never worked with ANY of the materials before in life lol. either way im sure it will be fun, keep the suggestions commin [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
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