Loan me a pre-'69 tail light cone for mold?

[HelloKitty65]

I'm going to try molding a few early (pre 1969) back side of the tail light cones out of black thermoplastic. I've never seen one. Here's a pic. Can anyone spare one for a week or so? You can get a spare back. Quality unknown.

 

[Living in the Past]

These were only used on the mid size round tail lights. The early small lights did not have a molded housing. What style light are you working with?

 

[HelloKitty65]

Manufacture date was '64. The ones with really flimsey frames. Mark sells the reproduction frames.

 

[derail]

I have one I can loan out. I only have one so it's not really doing me any good. How many are you making?

 

[HelloKitty65]

At least 7, 3 vehicles + 1 if the loanee only wants one.

 

[S4Cruiser]

You should make more. I'd buy a pair if reasonably priced.

 

[middlecalf]

There’s kind of a gasket that goes with it.

 

[Casey E]

Any pictures of this and a measurement. I have a couple taillights I have no idea what they go to. Wondering if this could be them.

 

[HelloKitty65]

For scale and a pic of the one we are discussing, see the OP. The diameter of the cone fits a rear light frame and it all bolts to the inside the rear crossmember. There are
at least 3 round kind. The earliest had no protective cone. Later model ('69 and on while still round) had a diameter about 5 5/16". Search "rear tail lights" in the 40's tech section.

 

[HelloKitty65]

Thanks @derail for the generous offer. To update everyone, my just acquired '68 had an intact cone on its only stock tail light!
I have no thermoplastic molding experi

ance. Will let you know how it goes. It might not be pretty. We are wondering if the color of the cone was actually black when it was new. The look tan or brown today. Anyone know?

 

[Living in the Past]

Thanks @derail for the generous offer. To update everyone, my just acquired '68 had an intact cone on its only stock tail light!
I have no thermoplastic molding experiance. Will let you know how it goes. It might not be pretty. We are wondering if the color of the cone was actually black when it was new. The look tan or brown today. Anyone know?

Having been following this. Think if you scrub the housing you will find that is just dirt making it look brown. My 68 still has both original tail lights as well as few spares I've bought over the years since this cruiser is used the hardest off-road. Was going to loan one for the mold but you had it covered.

 

[HelloKitty65]

Thanks. Cleaning up the one I acquired it is indeed black. My ceramic mold isn't progressing very fast, but it is promised.

 

[HelloKitty65]

As an update, thermoplastic beads, as pictured made a satisfactory cone. Just need to paint it. Beads are on Amazon and melt in 140 degree water. Took me 3.3 oz to make a rather heavy version using the inside of an existing cone. Various bag sizes, ~ a buck an oz.

 

[oregon fj]

Here is one of the first few Keith made. Good enough for me.

 

[middlecalf]

I'll bump this up again - what are you guys using for gaskets? Have you found a replacement of some kind that works at the local hardware store? Thanks.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Very cool! Are there plans to sell these I’d be in

 

[oregon fj]

I'll bump this up again - what are you guys using for gaskets? Have you found a replacement of some kind that works at the local hardware store? Thanks.

Original gasket was apparently the same gasket as used on the other side at the base of the light. I will either use the Toyota gasket-in-a-tube (FIPG) or cut my own from rubber sheet.

 

[HelloKitty65]

The edges of the reproduction aren't very precise like the original, so the oem seal wouldn't really work. The contact edges are very flat however (made by pressing the mold on a countertop before the plastic cools, squeezing excess plastic out which has to be trimmed (best done with a knife). So the part will lend itself to a homemade gasket.

 

[KY Longhunter]

Where these found on ‘62 Model?

I just looked and don’t have any.

 

[oregon fj]

@KY Longhunter - My understanding is that '62s didn't have anything like this. They started with the 4" lights in '64.