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-   70-72 GTO Tempest & LeMans TECH (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=436)
-   -   70 Amber Side Marker Lens Repair ? (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=882895)

Shiny 11-02-2025 07:41 PM

70 Amber Side Marker Lens Repair ?
 
1 Attachment(s)
I have this marker lens assembly that's in good shape except for some primer and a bite out of the top edge.

Do you know of a solvent that will remove the primer without eating the lens? My AI search recommended "Motsenbocker's Paint & Varnish Remover" but I'm hoping to avoid spending a bunch for not much... IPA, orange Goo Gone, and paint thinner did not touch it. I have a couple grease & wax removers and some reducers. I suspect acetone might eat the lens, as would lacquer thinner. Any ideas?

I am going to try repairing the chip with UV-cured acrylic resin.

Has anyone ever done this and if so, what dye did you use?

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1762126190

This resin is reasonably priced and is acrylic, not epoxy, which I think will match the original material and be less likely to darken over time:

https://www.totalboat.com/products/u...43161635520736

I am considering this dye (will probably get both amber and orange):

https://douglasandsturgess.com/produ...ce=chatgpt.com

With the popularity of UV-cured 3D printers, I assume there are lots of materials available that might work, but I'm not sure how to tap into that world.

Anyone have experience or suggestions on finding budget materials?

If I fail, I know there is at least one "left" lens listed on PY for sale. I do need a "right" if anyone wants to sell one...

Mike

Held for Ransom 11-04-2025 12:05 AM

2 Attachment(s)
I had to go out and look at mine. My LH is broken worse than yours.
My RH had all kinds of sludge inside. I had to boil off the lens to clean.
Has cracks/scratches, though.

Shiny 11-04-2025 12:31 AM

HFR, send a pm if you're open to selling your right lens.

Thanks

I am still toying with repair of the left, waiting on some resin and dye. I had ChatGPT measure the color, compare with an old SAE amber, and guess at dye colors and proportions to match. Worse thing I learned so far is UV-cured acrylic may continue to "cure" in the sun and get brittle, but since it's not mechanically loaded, I'm willing to give it a try just because. And if I can come close on the color, I can always use a thermally-cured acrylic or urethane. Epoxies have a rep of degrading/darkening so I'm trying to stick with acrylic.

Held for Ransom 11-04-2025 06:49 AM

I love what Eric does...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jAlCAmROD8

Shiny 11-04-2025 10:17 AM

Me too!

Shiny 11-27-2025 01:05 AM

3 Attachment(s)
I finally gave this a try. I should do it over but I won't.

I was a little too eager and got sloppy but it's good enough.

Here's the chip after I sanded it and cleaned it:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1764219556

I used a UV-cured acrylic resin and some dye. I added too much orange but the color is at least in the same family. I just used packing tape for the mold so it was less than great. I also managed to trap some bubbles, which is even less than less than great. But the resin stuck and I was able to polish it.

Close enough...

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1764219573

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1764219590

If I decide it matters, I think I could grind it out and start over. Not a difficult process.

Mike

mrennie 11-27-2025 10:51 AM

That looks pretty darn good!

Held for Ransom 11-27-2025 01:23 PM

Good job.


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