Simple How-To projector lenses (Fujimi NSX-R)

[clem24]

Here's a quick and very cheap little how-to for making realistic looking projector headlight lenses (which IMO looks better than the sakatsu headlights, which seems too "bright"). I actually thought about this while going to bed... Anyway, you'll need:

- length of round clear sprue (the longer the easier to work with). I used a smoke tinted one to make the lens more noticeable
- sand paper (200 up to 1500 or even higher)
- polishing compound (such as Tamiya)
- cutter (such as Tamiya P-cutter)

1.) If you're working on the NSX-R like I did, you'll have to drill out the existing light
2.) Grind down the diameter of the clear sprue with the 200 grit till it matches your light size, making sure to sand it evenly to preserve the roundness
3.) When the size is about right, smooth it out with the higher grits, eventually finishing with the rubbing compound
4.) Grind the end into a half ball with the 200 grit, and again, work up to the rubbing compound
5.) When you're satified with the look (it should be fairly smooth), cut off about 5mm or less, depending on how deep you drilled (I drilled right through the body, and it'll look better if it's a little longer). Also, I use a p-cutter just incase plastic cutters crack it b/c the clear is very brittle.
6.) Smooth out the cuted end, as above.

You should now have something that looks like a bullet or a suppository. Shove it in the hole and enjoy! Non-tinted clear should still give you that dark look of a projector lens, but I just wanted mine more noticeable. Here are some pics:


This shows the sprue already grinded down and smoothed out to the size of the NSX headlight, and the first completed lense


All 4 headlights drilled out and fitted with the lens


What it *should* look like...

clem..

[pettercardoso]

Very good idea! Thanks for sharing.

[blueboost]

that looks excellent. kunta did something like that using Sakatsu's 'Projector lens. yours looks just as good or better and costs $0

[Zcaithaca]

wow great tutorial