I have received requests on how to make my front turn signals. Note that I will be updating this. I have taken a lot of pics of my process and there are a lot of details to cover.

This is what the goal is:






Step 1: Get what is needed

1a: Need a donor set of turn signals. Look on the inside of them by looking through the back, where the lightbulb would go through. Make sure the chrome coated part looks ok, not totally gone or anything like that.

1b: Tools and Supplies. Green Scotch Masking tape, Sharpie silver metallic permanent marker, Dremel tool, Reinforced Dremel Cutting Discs, Safety Glasses or Face Shield, Permatex 5 Minute Epoxy from Advance Auto, Sanding Block, 220grit, sandpaper, Krylon Plastic Fusion Gloss Black Paint and Mothers Aluminum Polish

1c: Selecting a clear lens to replace the orange coated lens. You can use plexiglass. However, I used a clear reflective lens out of the inside of an oldsmoblie tailliight. The reflective lens will make the turn signal look closer to stock.

Step 2: Prepping the turn signal
2a: You need to cut the entire front of the turn signal out. I'm taking about the amber color section along with the black plastic trim that is on top of it.
In the pics, the silver line is where the cutting will be. For best results, use a dremel and a re-enforced dremel disc.





After the cutting, you should end up with this:


2b: Have a piece of 220 sandpaper layed down on a flat surface and have water on the sandpaper. Move the turn signal part(chrome half) across the sandpaper so the edges become smooth. Pic:



2c: The black trim piece needs to be removed from the amber lens. Dremel out the lens as best as you can. Then sand it off the same way as you sanded the edges of the turn signal(chrome half).



Step 3: Epoxy
3a: Cut out the clear lens so it completly covers the turn signal. Take it off, then place epoxy on the edges of the turn signal(chrome half). Don't use too much epoxy and try not to get too much on the lens. A few clamps will be needed to keep the pieces together.



3b: Epoxy on the black trim part on top of the clear part. Only put epoxy on the bottom side, just to make it look neat. To get the black trim part in the right spot, it might be necessary to bolt down the turn signal on the front bumper then line up the black trim part, then put masking tape on the black trim part to keep it in place.

Step 4: Paint

Mask off the area and apply Krylon plastic fusion gloss black paint. You can spray on clear spray paint on after the black paint if you wish. Krylon plastic fusion will stick to clear polished plastic when its 40 degrees F outside.

I'll try to get more pics and pics of the oldsmobile taillight that I took the clear reflective lens out of.

 

very nice write-up

 

Great write up and great final result.

 

SICK!! i just might have to try that

 

Well, since I added my clear sidemarkers today....I HAVE to try this mod....looks amazing.

Oh and..by the way....

How much you charge to make me a set?

 

Looks great. I might have to try this sometime.

 

I have to find an alternative to the reflective plastic I'm using. 1: I only have enough to make one more set. 2: The plastic that I am using from the oldsmobile taillight has to be sanded down and polished. Its takes a while to do this even with a power sander. The plastic has ribs that go vertical that are on the outside of the plastic. Once I sand down those ribs, all thats left are the horizontal lines. If you look at a stock piece, it only has horizontal lines in its amber plastic.

I need to find a cheaper reflective plastic and find plenty of it before I would consider making them for other people. I kind of like what the late 90s or early 2000s S10 clear front turn signals look like but I don't know if they cost too much, especially just to cut up.

 

Here is the taillight I used. Its from a Oldsmobile Delta 88 FWD. I use the part that is actually inside of the taillight so if the outside of the taillight is broken then no big deal. One taillight is enough to make 2 front turn signals. However, the plastic has to be sanded and polished down.

 

Great work, I think that may be something that I have a go at. Brilliant write up.

 

There are mine !

I Love them !

 

Anyone got any ideas for alternatives to the reflective plastic that I'm using. I prefer plastic with only having lines going one direction.

 

That looks really good, I was going try doing something like that, but I ended up just using VHT's Nite Shades on my front signals.



I may have to still try this though for my buddies Silver 86 T/A, they would look good on his car.

Good Job Firebat

 

I used side markers from an late 80's Buick sedan. Since it has the outer clear lens and, once you take out the marker assembly, it has another perfectly clear and rectangular lens (with lines going horizontally). Thats the best I can think of, since the lens you use is actually inside the marker assembly and away from the elements, they look almost new. I also bought some new turn signal bulbs that are blue (walmart) and I also put a little led in there to turn on while the car is parked...Now I'm looking into getting clear side markers...

 

yea if you did come across something and had the materials i would buy a set if you were willing to sell.

 

i think i could be interested as well so you should definitly keep us all posted thoughs look great btw.