Make an Auto Lens with Clear Resin and Silicone Molds | Tutorial

Part 1
In this video, we go through the process of re-creating a rare brake tail-light lens for a 1958 BMW Isetta. We go through setting up a properly made 2-part silicone mold with vents and a fill port, as well as many tips and tricks along the way. We will finally cast BJB's WC-783 Clear Polyurethane Resin in to produce a beautiful tail light lens that looks as good as the original!

Watch Part 2:    • Make Auto Rubber Trim w/ Silicone Mol...  

Shop our selection of silicones or speak with our technical staff to help you pick the right one. We also have a huge selection of castable polyurethanes for making parts in the mold; from soft, flexible gels, tough rubber, on up to rigid plastics!
http://www.BJBenterprises.com

WC-783 Clear Polyurethane: https://bjbmaterials.com/wc-783-a-b/
TC-5041 Silicone: https://bjbmaterials.com/tc-5041-a-b/
Color Dyes: https://bjbmaterials.com/pigments/pol...
Mixing Spatula: https://bjbmaterials.com/mixing-spatula/
Insta-Cure CA Glue: https://bjbmaterials.com/adhesives/ar...
Insta-Set Accelerator: https://bjbmaterials.com/insta-set-ca...
Vents/Registration Keys/Fill Ports/Clay: https://bjbmaterials.com/accessories/...

For tints used in this video:
Contact BJB for recommendations. www.bjbenterprises.com

0:00 Introduction
0:38 Taking the Mystery Out of Materials!
0:46 1958 BMW Isetta 300
1:15 Silicone Molds Reproduce High Gloss Finishes
1:30 Splitter Board
1:54 Building Blocks
2:00 Acrylic Registration Keys
2:08 Insta-Cure CA Glue
2:14 Insta-Set Accelerator
2:30 Dry Fit Keys
2:35 Small Key for EZ Reference
2:41 Mark with Pencil
2:56 Hot Glue Mold Box
3:02 Clean Lens
3:05 Don't Need Mold Release
3:09 Silicone is Non-Stick
3:15 Silicone Sticks to Silicone
3:20 Cover Lens
3:26 TC-5041 Platinum Silicone
3:50 Isopropyl Alcohol
4:04 Carefully Pry Up Silicone
4:11 Leave Lens In Mold
4:23 Add Acrylic Vents and Fill Port
4:31 Cleaner method than cut Vents and Fill Port.
4:50 Fill from Low Point Vent at High Points
5:03 Don't Disturb High Gloss Lens
5:34 Seal Around Edges
5:38 Can Also Use Vaseline
5:52 Remove Vents and Fill Port
6:02 Remove Mold Box
6:07 Slowly Separate Mold Halves
6:12 Our Beautiful Mold!
6:20 Casting the Lens
6:26 No Mold Release for Best Finish
6:32 Lower Mold Life BUT Less Labor
6:39 Strap Mold to Board
6:45 Don't Over Tighten
6:49 Insert Vent Straws and Pour Funnel
6:52 Explained in Intro Mold Tutorial
6:58 Angle Mold For Best Results
7:27 PSTF Dye
8:33 Accelerate Cure with Heat or Faster Work-Time System
8:55 Accomplished with No Pressure!
8:59 Vacuum vs Pressure
9:11 Vacuum Physically Removes Air
9:18 Rigid Materials: Air bubble won't come back
9:22 Flexible Materials: Air bubble CAN come back
9:31 Pressure Casting is a Good Insurance Policy
9:39 Pressure forces material into fine detail and small air pockets.
9:45 Pressure is Not 100% Effective