Anybody want Bright Lights? (Pics Added!), Lens Reflector Refinishing (Gauging interest) Options

[SchantzMD]

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

['73-914kid]

Hey Ethan.

Actually no, but I do have it setup at my place in Riverside. I talked to my SP adviser about bringing it to the campus and he said "don't worry about bringing it down, just shoot me a Youtube video", so that's what I'm doing.
Overall the pumping process is like watching paint dry, but once I hit my 10-6 Torr mark and fire off the evaporation system I have a pretty cool reaction for about 45 seconds.

By the way how are your classes going? I know for me it was pretty easy, then it sucked, then it got easy again, and then it sucked again, LOL! All I know is that it will sure be nice to finally finish and walk on June 9th!

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.

This year, classes were fairly easy. Next year, I'm hitting the ground running now that all the pre-reqs are done for my ARO classes, so I'm thinking things are going to be significantly tougher starting in the Fall.

I'm sure you're not going to miss the battle for classes...It's almost a joke how stressful it is..I say this now, because I enroll this morning for fall classes...haha (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)