DIY parking light/turnsignal diffuser
DIY parking light/turnsignal diffuser
So I worked on my headlights recently and wanted a diffuser since matte plastidip on the lens housing didn't work great. Plus it was a pain to take off. The next best solution was to fabricate a diffuser.
Now I'm open to making more of these since I have a template and its simple to out it out but if you feel like you can cut it out and get the right shape and size you are free to proceed! If you would like to buy one just let me know what you want done to it. If you want it sanded, tinted in a color (costs additional) or one that looks like mine let me know.
I didn't take a lot of pics since they are pretty self explanatory. The material I bought was a sheet of plexiglass and is about 0.7mm thick. This is very important since you want something that can bend and still not break. Having a heat gun can help but I did mine without it. The cutting tool I used is listed here.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded...E-41/202038073
As you can see in the picture the right side of it is cracked because I tried to force it. You have to be pretty careful while using it and if it doesn't fit file it down some more to make it fit. My template had to be shaved down a little to fit inside the housing so if you're measuring it up against anything make sure it is the transparent plastic portion and not the reflector.
I also notices that the cleaner and straighter the cut I made was the easier the plexiglass would crack. The edges were rounded and straight cut areas were curved to prevent it from cracking and allowing it to bend more.
Attachment 105911
After that all I did was wedge it inside against the reflector shroud that covers the projector and the end of the light and voila. Be gentle while working on it since it can crack pretty quickly. Once its cracked it's done. Just go back to making another one.
You can sand it which I did with some 440grit sandpaper. It put some pretty dark uneven scratches which were then filled in by some
Light passes through it but gives it a nice tint and darkens the look overall. My reflector was also painted as well. This is a pic with it on without any paint on it. The whole shroud fits into the glass portion and then mates with the part which holds the lights. So put the diffuser into the shroud before you mate the two and it will fit beautifully.
Attachment 105912
And Voila. No more ugly headlights. Subjective with the yellow fogs but please keep that opinion to yourself. Thanks!
Attachment 105208
Attachment 105209
Attachment 105210
Attachment 105211
Now I'm open to making more of these since I have a template and its simple to out it out but if you feel like you can cut it out and get the right shape and size you are free to proceed! If you would like to buy one just let me know what you want done to it. If you want it sanded, tinted in a color (costs additional) or one that looks like mine let me know.
I didn't take a lot of pics since they are pretty self explanatory. The material I bought was a sheet of plexiglass and is about 0.7mm thick. This is very important since you want something that can bend and still not break. Having a heat gun can help but I did mine without it. The cutting tool I used is listed here.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded...E-41/202038073
As you can see in the picture the right side of it is cracked because I tried to force it. You have to be pretty careful while using it and if it doesn't fit file it down some more to make it fit. My template had to be shaved down a little to fit inside the housing so if you're measuring it up against anything make sure it is the transparent plastic portion and not the reflector.
I also notices that the cleaner and straighter the cut I made was the easier the plexiglass would crack. The edges were rounded and straight cut areas were curved to prevent it from cracking and allowing it to bend more.
Attachment 105911
After that all I did was wedge it inside against the reflector shroud that covers the projector and the end of the light and voila. Be gentle while working on it since it can crack pretty quickly. Once its cracked it's done. Just go back to making another one.
You can sand it which I did with some 440grit sandpaper. It put some pretty dark uneven scratches which were then filled in by some
Light passes through it but gives it a nice tint and darkens the look overall. My reflector was also painted as well. This is a pic with it on without any paint on it. The whole shroud fits into the glass portion and then mates with the part which holds the lights. So put the diffuser into the shroud before you mate the two and it will fit beautifully.
Attachment 105912
And Voila. No more ugly headlights. Subjective with the yellow fogs but please keep that opinion to yourself. Thanks!
Attachment 105208
Attachment 105209
Attachment 105210
Attachment 105211
When you think of an idea in your head you think, that isn't possible and wouldn't make sense. You actually did it, cool! Good job.
I did some experiments with Metalcast paint YEARS ago, posted somewhere. I wanted to give the inside reflectors a slight gunmetal look. Didn't work out for me.
I did some experiments with Metalcast paint YEARS ago, posted somewhere. I wanted to give the inside reflectors a slight gunmetal look. Didn't work out for me.
Last edited by rockyfeller; Jul 1, 2014 at 09:11 AM.
When you think of an idea in your head you think, that isn't possible and wouldn't make sense. You actually did it, cool! Good job.
I did some experiments with Metalcast paint YEARS ago, posted somewhere. I wanted to give the inside reflectors a slight gunmetal look. Didn't work out for me.
I did some experiments with Metalcast paint YEARS ago, posted somewhere. I wanted to give the inside reflectors a slight gunmetal look. Didn't work out for me.
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