Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

I'm restoring a 1993 MB touring - gotten around to working on the headlights finally. Previous owner purchased and installed the RE sleek kits years ago and now the clear covers are in poor condition. Does anyone have a source for convex acrylic covers other than RDH Japan (where they are 263 a pair) ? If not, I may look into having a local plastics manufacturer do a run if there's enough interest for a group buy?

Thanks,

Aaron

CrispyRX7

iTrader: (139)

Aaron,
That's where I got mine. You can have simple flat clear covers made...or make them yourself but there isn't a source for the convex covers in the US. But I'd love to hear someone correct me.
Regards,
Crispy

allrotor93

iTrader: (126)

I need a set too

Mdessouki

iTrader: (7)

im in for two sets of curved covers if there is a group buy...

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

its worth the cost...get the RHD covers
Im on my third set
Every DGRR i lose one or two

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

Sounds like there may be enough interest - I'll see what the cost would be to have something like 20 pairs made and I will also contact RHD about doing a group purchase if there's enough of a discount.


Aaron

CrispyRX7

iTrader: (139)

Go forth and do good!

Crispy

Copeland

iTrader: (42)

Aaron handling it like a boss.

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

I sent my old RE covers to a manufacturing manager at Ridout Plastics in San Diego for a price quote. They have 50+ years of plastics experience and are confident that they can thermoform and CNC machine covers for us.

I'll talk through details with him after her views the old covers and gives me a quote (as long as it's not astronomically high). Any suggestions on how to improve on the design? I'm thinking some understated tint options and maybe leaving the lenses unpainted but including a template so folks can color match to car color...


Thanks,

Aaron

CrispyRX7

iTrader: (139)

Aaron,
Ouststanding! If you are looking for suggestions if there's one thing that would be great would be some tab or kind of hidden means to fasten them down besides "permanent' glue/RTV or having to screw them down through the cover (which IMHO is so butt ugly ghetto).
Regards,
Crispy

Mdessouki

iTrader: (7)

Any update?

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

I'll follow up with the plastic manufacturer - they've had my lenses for a couple of weeks to give me a final quote.

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

Just spoke with plastics rep: they can thermoform clear 1/8" acrylic (identical to my RE covers). If I get 10 pairs, I could price them at $140 + shipping. They will not paint them, but I think that may be an advantage as folks could color match to their vehicle if they wanted. I know a vinyl decal place that specializes in motorcycle decals. I plan to have vinyl masks cut (hopefully for $5-10 per pair of lights for DIY painting).

I'm new to group buys, but common sense is that I'm not going to put up over a grand to get this project going. Paypal me $150 for the new cover and $160 for the cover with the vinyl masking to Dabossajk@gmail.com. I'll place the order when I get 8 deposits. Feel free to email me at Dabossajkgmail.com if you have questions.

Crispy - I haven't made any suggestions to the plastics manufacturer re: hidden fasteneres as I can't come up with a straight forward method to attach the covers without using an adhesive (since they are going to be thermoformed from sheet stock and not molded)...


Thanks,

Aaron

CrispyRX7

iTrader: (139)

Aaron,
Thanks for all this effort. Truly commendable. No worries on the attachment points...t'was merely a suggestion. Thermoforming is simply heating and molding the sheet plastic. Bending over an edge to make a mounting tab would be within the ability of thermoforming. The vinyl masks is a great idea! Please do this. I will be "in" and will front some money if I see just a couple more participants. I already have a brand new set of RE covers but would like an extra set.
TIA,
Crispy

Mdessouki

iTrader: (7)

PM a moderator to set up a group buy. You'll have to give the forum a donation, but you can pass that on to us. If not they will shut down this thread.

I'm in for one, maybe two sets when this is up and running. Just want to confirm that this is going to be based of Genuine Re A covers,not the EVO R or something else. THe genuine covers are the only ones that look good...

Thanks

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

Great - thanks for the heads up on the group buy protocol. Obviously this is my first time trying to facilitate something like this. I have an RE light set and both of my covers are currently at the plastics manufacturer. I'm hopeful that the quality will be equal to or better than my RE covers but I can't guarantee that until I have them in hand. I'll ask the manufacturer about giving us a warranty of sorts (if their product isn't spot on then offering a free rework/replacement or something like that)

Thanks,

Aaron

mefarri

iTrader: (2)

Awesome work. I'm interested as well. It would be great to get a picture of them. And I assume you'll make the vinyl sticker the same as RE's?

afgmoto1978

iTrader: (6)

I'm in for two sets? Shipping cost to 29605?

What's the company that is doing this work?

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

That's the idea - I'll use my RE lenses as a model to have the vinyl cut. The company is Ridout plastics.

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

In terms of shipping, my lenses fit well with packing into a medium size flat rate USPS priority box. Cost for that is $12.35 - with insurance it will be around $15 shipping. Can probably fit two sets into 1 box.

Thanks,

Aaron

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

I just double checked my kit to ensure that I have the genuine RE covers - I bought the car used and the previous owner was sketchy at best so I'm trying to verify everything rather than taking his word for it. I have IPF/PIAA lights (which I'm swapping out for HIDs from the retrofit source) and the same bracketry as shown here. RE-Amemiya Sleek Light Kit H11 Type FD3S 13B

So I'm confident that the covers that are being used as our models are the REs (they are 1/8" thick thermoformed acrylic according to the plastics manufacturer...) I PMd a moderator re: the proper protocol for a group buy but haven't heard back. Can any of you shed light on this?

Thanks,


Aaron

BeanieTec

iTrader: (1)

Add me to the list for a set. I bought a set of RE sleek lights but they were missing the covers. I've been waiting until the end of the build to tackle this but you've done the legwork already! Thanks very much for that. I'm in.

Dabossajk

iTrader: (11)

so far I have:

CrispyRx7 (1)
Allrotor93 (1)
Mdessouki (2)
mefarri (1)
afgmoto1978 (2)
BeanieTech (1)

After I get the group buy set up properly here, then if you all follow through with deposits, I'll cut a check to Ridout and get these in the works.

Thanks,

Aaron

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

The Re-Amemiya had a raybrig light setup (if im not mistaken) and curved lens that molded to the shape of the bucket.
The rotary extreme setup had Hella lights and a flat plastic lens that didnt flow well with the buckets..

Mdessouki

iTrader: (7)

Evo-R had a molded lens that was not the same contour as the RE-A version. The actuually looked really bad imo...