krisdlm

iTrader: (1)

someones got to have em. Id be interested 4sure!

distortedolskool

iTrader: (1)

i believe he is trying to get a mold first. who knows what happened to the original mold.?.?.

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

yea i contact the only people who had produced them originally and he would not give me ANY info to the original mold, i even offered to purchase it, no dice.

HondaVtec21

What about taking them out of a headlight, sending em' to a company that specializes in making reflectors or something, and asking them if they're willing to produce some for us. How hard could it possibly be to make a mold of the original and just pour a different color plastic in to make a new color. And some of you may say they're ugly or stupid and whatnot, but I gaurantee once everyone sees how good they look and how much better than that hideous amber color they are, they'll be one of the most popular mods/things on the market for our car!! That is of course if they're reasonably priced.


Just my :: 2 cents ::

MADMAN187

Like you guys said, it is an easy job but we just need someone to do it.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

i was looking into making molds, it's really not that hard....

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

hahahaha

easy job? do you guys know anything about liquid mold injection? the molds for those costs THOUSANDS. if it's so easy, YOU do it. but don't come crying back to me when you need thousands of dollars to front for a 100 reflectors. i've been searching non stop for people who will make cheap molds, but its not a cheap and easy process.

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

they were ALREADY made, marketed, and sold... yea, i guess they were REAL popular since they aren't around anymore.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

i'm pretty sure the process of the mold i saw online is different from the mold that is needed to produce diffusers, but i'm saying the process shouldn't be hard in theory...

and thank you for searching your ass off, i really appreciate your effort along with many other members on this board.

if there's anything we can do to help, just name it... i just thought taking apart our HU, and sending a company the reflector should help with making a mold so much easier.

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

of course, i have multiple sets of diffusers on hand as they need them in order to get precise fitment. the process to create the exact diffuser we want is called liquid mold injection. it's the only way to achieve the diffuser effect, precise fitment, and utilize the materials we need. the actually PROCESS of creating the diffusers is a joke. it's the MOLD. the mold itself is expensive as it needs to be able to withstand extreme high temperatures, not to mention it needs to be an exact replica SO that means it is unique. there are cheaper ways to get molds made which i'm looking into now.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

so the mold itself is what is holding us back from creating the diffusers correct? i'll try to look into a few places in my area... any tips on how to find such places?

underst8

Would the grill only be the surround, with like mesh or nothing in the middle, or would it have the middle dividing bar and/or the A logo?

distortedolskool

iTrader: (1)

i would bet it would be just the surround and where the chrome A and strips clip on. anyway don't hold your breath on that carbon grill. there is more demand for the clear diffusers so fabrication of those is currently being researched.

adlx21

im down to buy some diffusers! >_<

Silvaccordex01

iTrader: (2)

So i take it neither of these is going to happen

underst8

So my Dad (owns a garden tool business) just came out with some tools with injection molded handles produced in a contracted factory. When I get home this weekend I will ask him about the potential cost to have him produce a limited run of injection molded diffusers in his factory.

If we could get enough "for-sure" buyers for him to at least break even (hes not greedy) at a reasonable cost then it might have a good chance at happening.

implicit

that's good news - keep us informed

underst8

Ok so I just had a conversation with my dad about this. without actually seeing the part, he estimates $5,000 or less for the mold (probably closer to $3,000 if he can get a favor), and then a few bucks at most for each part made. I am leaving early tomorrow morning to head home, but (this might be some sort of sign) I have a TL headlight housing in my apartment right now that someone gave me to clear for them, so I am going to try and get the diffuser out of that tonight and bring it home with me to give him a better idea of what we are working with.

Also, these would be made with high-quality polymers speced to withstand headlight housing temperatures and road vibration - anyone have any input into how hot it would get in the headlight where the diffuser is/mounts to? If you have an IR thermometer this may be time to bust it out.

The question now becomes one of supply and demand, and the cost associated. The more people who want this, the lower the cost can be. I am going to start off and say how many people would pay $40.00 for this piece (possible plus or including shipping, depending on what the mold and production cost work out to - shipping would probably be $10 at most).

Again, I would not be looking to make much money on this, just enough to cover production and shipping - and maybe make enough to buy some headers (not comptech)?

The other question would be how much extra it would cost to have the mold made for four diffusers - one each side for the 2g CL, and one each side for the 2g TL. I ponder this because I feel there would be a lot more demand if we included TL peeps in here, and I don't think the molds would cost that much more. I will post this in the TL forum and see what the response is.

So - how many people would pay $40 for clear diffusers (preliminary estimate)?

1) underst8

distortedolskool

iTrader: (1)

at $40/pair you would need to sell 75 to even break even, if he gets the special deal. you think you could see at least 75? either way i'd buy some for $40

1) underst8
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TOPHER33884

iTrader: (6)

3) topher33884

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

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LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

please keep the list together... i would believe that the corner where the diffuser is would NOT be that hot. since its only the HID that gets the headlight hot/warm. but since it's next to it, it will turn a bit warm. i hope it goes through...

implicit

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kyle77777

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underst8

Ok I got the diffuser out of the 2g tl cluster



Great to see people are already responding. this has a good chance at happening if enough people respond (but you need to be serious - I don't want to be sitting on 100 of these things cause people who said they will buy them don't. I will test them vigorously before I take your money and ship them).

here is the link to the Tl thread, fyi - maybe a few bumps will get it noticed:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...0&page=6&pp=25

implicit

Don't be afraid to make a little money off this project - you're the one doing the leg work and its appreciated

easymoney

6) easymoney

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

sorry guys, i was busy with work. i'm looking into a source now where will make a mold cheaper than the last person stated but i still think the price would be a little more than 40... i wish it could be 40, but we all know that there won't be 100 of these sold.

rp_guy

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foreveraflboy

i'd be in for the CL diffusers.

underst8

While I appreciate that implicit, and if it's possible I'd be all for a little cash, the problem is that if I get greedy and start charging more then demand goes down and we don't sell enough to profit at all. I really don't need the money, I just want to make this happen since a lot of people on AZine want these, and I'd feel good knowing I provided something for our aftermarket-ignored cars

underst8

Ok Clean. Two people trying something that has had issues happening in the past is better than one, so I'd say keep us informed on any progress you make. I will continue looking into demand for multiple models, and see what my costs will be like. Maybe if we both get to some solid numbers, we can figure out who should pull the trigger.

distortedolskool

iTrader: (1)

as clean noted i still don't understand how you are going to get that many people to cover the MAJOR costs. unless you plan on forking over a large amount. 75 people is a lot to get all to commit and pay.

LiquidCLs6

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HondaVtec21

Put me down for the diffusers!!

DLntheCL

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LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

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foreveraflboy

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underst8

not really looking too promising right now with the number of people responding...the TL forum doesn't look any better.

distortedolskool

iTrader: (1)

yeah with a production cost of between $3k and $5k it is going to be very very very difficult to get a group buy to cover all that cost upfront. the only way i think to do this is to get a group buy and collect as much money as you can. then purchase the diffusers. you will be forced to front most of the money yourself and will be left with having to sell the leftover diffusers to make your money back. sad but true.