Has anyone molded plexi

[RatBoy]

I need some help/guidance...

I'm considering reshaping the tail lights on my mutazu hard bags. I'm thinking making the lenses flat.

I'm thinking that I can use some plexi if I can 'mold' it into the curve that I need to fit properly.... replacing the chrome trim and the red lense.

My question is has anyone molded plexi without having specialized tools? Will a heatgun be hot enough to 'warm' the plexi so that it's relatively flexible?

I'm in the deep end of the pool here so any constructive advice would be welcome. Smart ass comments aren't.

 

[NickeHild]

Drop me your email adress on nickelund@gmail.com and I get you in contact with Par, he's a plastic wizard

 

[RatBoy]

Email on its way.

 

[RocketDaryl]

Anyone ever try to mold *MY* "Plexi" and I'll drag their ass to milepost 98 and "knock their **** head off"!

My Plexi:

FDP - Forum

 

[Gothlander]

If you mean lexan, you have to heat it until it is fluid to bend it. It is tuff stuff.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

In as much as I thermally form the Pannier liners, you'll need a mold in the shape you want the final part to become and some patience if you use a heat gun on plexiglass. Lexan forms but the forming threshold versus the fluid state is so narrow, it can't be readily formed manually.

I actually made male and female dies and heat them with resistance elements to achieve the correct forming temperature plus not only is the temperature critical, the dwell time is, as well. Too long and the material goes from elastic to fluid, too short and the material won't form and hold the shape you want.

All plastics have memory, that is, they want to revert to their original shape unless that is overcome by the correct amount of heat and gthe proper dwell (duration).

My first experience with the liners resulted in a smoked shop and sticky molds. Even with the manufacturers physical data and thermoforming recommendations, there is still some trial and error involved.

It's not as easy as it appears.

 

[RatBoy]

It's not as easy as it appears.

Thanks Flip/Goth, it appears that I'm in way over my head. I'm glad I asked before diving in.

 

[RatBoy]

Anyone ever try to mold *MY* "Plexi" and I'll drag their ass to milepost 98 and "knock their **** head off"!

My Plexi:

FDP - Forum

Sorry, I don't get it.

 

[RocketDaryl]

Sorry, I don't get it.

There was a period of time from the '60s thru early '70s where Marshall guitar amplifiers had a "plexi" front panel (where the controls are). These old amps are commonly referred to as "Marshall Plexi", referring to Marshalls from that time period.

It had nothing to do with what you're doing, I just saw "Plexi" in your thread title and, as a musician, my guitar amplifier was the first thing that popped into my head.

 

[HellFire]

In as much as I thermally form the Pannier liners, you'll need a mold in the shape you want the final part to become and some patience if you use a heat gun on plexiglass. Lexan forms but the forming threshold versus the fluid state is so narrow, it can't be readily formed manually.

I actually made male and female dies and heat them with resistance elements to achieve the correct forming temperature plus not only is the temperature critical, the dwell time is, as well. Too long and the material goes from elastic to fluid, too short and the material won't form and hold the shape you want.

All plastics have memory, that is, they want to revert to their original shape unless that is overcome by the correct amount of heat and gthe proper dwell (duration).

My first experience with the liners resulted in a smoked shop and sticky molds. Even with the manufacturers physical data and thermoforming recommendations, there is still some trial and error involved.

It's not as easy as it appears.

.... and a few cans of PAM ? lol