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> Anybody want Bright Lights? (Pics Added!), Lens Reflector Refinishing (Gauging interest)
SchantzMD
post Mar 14 2012, 12:46 AM
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So I'm down to my last quarter at Cal Poly Pomona and the last thing I have to do to get my degree is finish one class and complete a Senior design project. Therefore over the next 12 weeks I'll be building a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) machine which will be capable of creating a very high vacuum, heating & vaporizing aluminum, and depositing it as a super shiny/reflective coating on a substrate.

In order to recoup some of my project cost (I've spent almost $2k already, damn this school thing is expensive! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) ) I'm hoping to redo some fog light reflectors, front turn signal buckets, and maybe even some tail/brake/reverse light reflectors (Note: there may be a heat transfer issue on the rear reflectors since they're plastic, so I may not be able to coat them).

So the question for you guys:

Would you be interested in freshly coated reflectors for your lights and if so would $75-$100 for a reconditioned set seem reasonable? Keep in mind this will be dependent on being able to recreate a 98%-100% factory finish and that there will be a fair amount of material cost & prep time associated with each set of 2 reflectors done. Also, this will most likely have to be based on an "exchange" basis. To be honest I don't even know if I'll mess with this endevour yet or if I'll just sell the PVD machine when I'm done, so as of right now this is just a feeler.


Thanks in advance for the input!
Mike
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71 sixer
post Mar 14 2012, 03:59 AM
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if you find that you are able to do the rear reflectors then I would definately be interested.
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wingnut86
post Mar 14 2012, 05:24 AM
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Share some pictures here of your PVD when done (no design specs for your protection), I'm interested in seeing her run on The Tube later as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I too would be interested at that cost point...
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Mikey914
post Mar 14 2012, 10:04 AM
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Mike make sure you put a clear over these. They will last much longer. You can use a PPG automotive clear coat. Otherwise, the finish will dull down much faster. A HVLP gun from Eastwood would run you about $99 and give you the ability to lay down a good finish with minimal waste. As far as heat transfer tell me about it.

I'd plan to make fixtures, this occurred using a fixture, before we switched to a higher temp resin.Attached Image
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Als914
post Mar 14 2012, 10:18 AM
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Hey Mike, that is a great project (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) . Hope you get it working. If so, I would be in for front buckets, rear reflectors and fog light reflectors in yellow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) .

O.T. We need to get on Lew's car...talk to you soon.

Al
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7TPorsh
post Mar 14 2012, 06:16 PM
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Depending on price...front buckets and rear
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SchantzMD
post Mar 14 2012, 08:18 PM
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I'll definitely post a Youtube video because I have to present the project as a Power Point presentation at our Spring engineering symposium. Also, because I can't drag the machine to the school I'm hoping to find a large glass Pyrex bell jar for my vacuum chamber. That way the process can be seen 1st hand in real time.
The boring part will be watching the system in person as it pumps down for 3,4,6 or maybe even 24 hrs, I figure it'll be like watching grass grow, or paint dry, LOL!

Mike

QUOTE(wingnut86 @ Mar 14 2012, 04:24 AM) *

Share some pictures here of your PVD when done (no design specs for your protection), I'm interested in seeing her run on The Tube later as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I too would be interested at that cost point...
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matthepcat
post Mar 14 2012, 09:45 PM
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Good luck with the project! Make the most of this experience, as you will miss this part of life. I miss my Cal Poly years!
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Smitty911
post Mar 14 2012, 10:45 PM
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QUOTE(SchantzMD @ Mar 14 2012, 07:18 PM) *

I'll definitely post a Youtube video because I have to present the project as a Power Point presentation at our Spring engineering symposium. Also, because I can't drag the machine to the school I'm hoping to find a large glass Pyrex bell jar for my vacuum chamber. That way the process can be seen 1st hand in real time.
The boring part will be watching the system in person as it pumps down for 3,4,6 or maybe even 24 hrs, I figure it'll be like watching grass grow, or paint dry, LOL!

Mike

QUOTE(wingnut86 @ Mar 14 2012, 04:24 AM) *

Share some pictures here of your PVD when done (no design specs for your protection), I'm interested in seeing her run on The Tube later as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I too would be interested at that cost point...



I have a large Pyrex jar if you need to borrow one. It's about 14" across and 16 depth. I can double check tomorrow if your interested. I work in Fullerton, so not to far out of the way.

Smitty
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SchantzMD
post May 16 2012, 08:20 PM
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So after 250-300 hrs of work I finally have my PVD system up and going for my senior project.

Link to the Picasa album build thread

https://picasaweb.google.com/11660191837549...gCJavv_KzkOeHag

The entire thing was built from used vacuum pumps, kitchen parts, aquarium parts, old car parts, scrap steel, clock parts, stuff from Home Depot, oh yeah,... and a little bit of putty.

What's funny is that the finished product matched my initial design specs to a tee, and I ended up achieving an High Vacuum (HV) level of .000005 Torr which is only one order of magnitude less than what a lot of Aerospace firms test satellites in,... (so I've been told).

I also had a 1st run deposition attempt on a fog light reflector and surprisingly I was able to make it look like new again!

I'm going to keep playing around with this and see what else I can coat, maybe with some luck I'll be able to do front turn signal buckets and rear reflectors!

All I know is now it's beer thirty time!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)


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Cairo94507
post May 16 2012, 08:33 PM
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Wow - that looks incredible. You might have some business here.
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wingnut86
post May 16 2012, 08:44 PM
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That's not funny. Take that glass orb back to the "Forbidden Planet" history museum and put it back on Robbie's head...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

BTW - awesome A+.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)
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'73-914kid
post May 16 2012, 09:07 PM
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Mike, is that project here at CPP? If so, we've got to meet up some time! This project looks awesome. I'd live to see it in action.
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76-914
post May 16 2012, 09:10 PM
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That's cooler than an Eskimo fart. I hope it works on tail lights. Love it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)
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Mr.242
post May 16 2012, 10:55 PM
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Where does the line start? I would love to have some tail light buckets done. Just a hunch, but I bet the winter months you will have a higher demand.....(non driving months for most areas)
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Porcharu
post May 16 2012, 11:03 PM
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I am most definitely interested in some 'new' reflectors. BTW my senior project at Cal Poly SLO was a BREWERY! Dry campus but my adviser and I made several hundred gallons of beer in our lab on the weekend.
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oldschool
post May 16 2012, 11:13 PM
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Boy I got to say....seems to be a bunch of you Cal Poly and 914 cats. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
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rnellums
post May 17 2012, 07:41 AM
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Hot Damn! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
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EdwardBlume
post May 17 2012, 07:48 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
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GeorgeRud
post May 17 2012, 01:23 PM
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Sounds good to me!
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