how to make you own eye lids

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toddw814
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how to make you own eye lids

Post by toddw814 » Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:47 am

How to Build Fiberglass eyebrows/lids:

Time: I worked on mine a few hrs over many weekends
But I think if you work diligently you could finish this on 1 to 2 weekends.

Difficulty: This was my second fiberglass project I would say if you can any bit hands on do it your selfer you would be able to make these.

Things needed:
1) Right head light
2) Left head light
3) Fiber glass cloth of mat (1-24 oz) I used 24 oz but recomend using around 3-10 oz.
4) Fiberglass resin
5) Disposable gloves
6) Small single use paint brush(s)
7) Tin foil
8) Masking tape
9) Plastic bags
10) Drop cloth
11) Respirator that is safe for fiberglass resin
Mine is a 3M

12) Bond glass or regular bond (recommend bond glass)
13) Primmer
14) Paint to match car
15) Clear coat
16) Double sided tape or other means to attach to car

Tools needed:
1) Flathead screw driver or Torx number ??
2) Scissors (for cutting fiberglass)
3) Dremel of other cutting tool for trimming fiberglass
4) Sand paper 60 up to 1000 grit.
5) Power sander (makes smoothing much easier then by hand)


Step one:
Remove head lights (removal of grille makes this step easier)
Grille has two screws on top and two clips on the bottom.

Now remove head lights


Step two:
Wrap head light in plastic or any other material that will protect the head light from the resin.

Now add a mold releasing material I used tin foil.


Step three: This step you can do or skip
Make a template to the shape of the eyelid that you want to end up with in the end.
Then cut pieces of fiberglass a ½ inch to 1 inch larger then your template.


Step four:
Take single use paint brush and cut off half the length of the bristles.

Now is a good time to make sure you have everything laid out ready to go before mixing the resin and hardener.
1) Covered (protected) head light
2) fiberglass
3) brush
4) drop cloth
5) respirator
6) disposable gloves
7) resin and hardener

Step five:
Mix resin and hardener according to the directions on the can. (mix well)
Once mixed coat a fiberglass piece with resin and lay on head light.
Make sure all air bubbles are removed.
A second layer can be applied right away of you can wait till the first layer has cured. (Note: I found it easier to coat the surface with resin then coat the piece of fiberglass then lay it on the coated surface)
Continue to add layers until you feel that you have reached the desired thickness.
The thickness is up to you but keep in mind the thicker you make the eyelid the more they will stick off the head light.
Resin that i used it comes with hardener:


Step six:
Now take the cured eyelid and remove it from the head light.
Once removed take cutting tool and shape it to the actual dimensions desired.


Step seven:
Now comes the fun part sanding the eyelid to get it ready for paint.
Sand the eyelid till it is smooth. Start with 60 grit then work your way up to 200 grit)
Now bondo or bondo glass can be used to fill any voids (air pockets) or other blemishes.

Sand once again.

Step eight:
Prep for paint.
Clean surface with soap and water then rub down with denatured alcohol.
Make sure the eyelid is completely dry.

Step nine:
Spray with primer (let dry before sanding)
Sand with (400-600 grit) (Clean surface with soap and water then rub down with denatured alcohol. Make sure the eyelid is completely dry.)
Repeat the above procedure until the eyelid is sufficiently primed.

Step ten:
Now apply the first coat of paint. (Let dry then wet sand with 600 grit)
Clean and dry
Do the above procedure at least three times or until you feel the eyelid is completely coated in a few layers of paint.

Step eleven:
Once the paint is completely dry the clear coat can be applied.
Now apply the first coat of clear coat. (Let dry then wet sand with 1000 grit)
Clean and dry
Do the above procedure at least three times or until you feel the eyelid is completely protected in a few layers of clear coat.
Make sure you let the eyelid cure completely before installing them.

Step twelve:
Reinstall head lights and grille reversing the steps taken to remove them.
Now use double sided tape or other method of attaching the fiberglass eyelid to the head light.
Stand back and admire how amazing the eyelids have turned out.

Good Luck, P.M. me with any questions or suggestions.

mikeb818
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Post by mikeb818 » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:30 pm

im for sure going to try this when i get my MPx projectors
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Ntyvirus1
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Post by Ntyvirus1 » Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:17 pm

unless you have all the resin and stuff already almost seems like it would be easier/more cost effective to buy eyelids.
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Post by mikeb818 » Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:36 am

but i have had bad experience with vinyl and im not messing with that :cussing: again. and the MPx have more of a bump i have heard so the fiberglass ones pre made do not really fit. it will be fun and unique. :D :thumbup:
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toddw814
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Post by toddw814 » Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:49 am

if you dont like resinf and the matting way you can always buy the bondo glass for like $12 at walmart and will get the same effect and i think it easyer to work with up to you though both ways work
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Post by mikeb818 » Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:08 am

might have to try that as well. but first things first i need $200 for the Projector LED headlights. angel eyes FTW!! :rockon:
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Ntyvirus1
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Post by Ntyvirus1 » Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:09 am

shorty eyelids fit just fine on projectors.
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Post by mikeb818 » Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:59 pm

yeah but i want the S style. or create my own.
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DR. GONZO
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Post by DR. GONZO » Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:11 pm

i just masked mine off and kept hittin it with night shade lmao and they look just fine and waaaaaaay simple
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Jenni
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Post by Jenni » Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:55 pm

i plan to make eyelids with my vacuum table. so it will cost me 3 seconds to build a set.

yeah sure - PLUS heating before and sanding after that. :lol:

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Post by mikeb818 » Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:31 pm

yeah i tried that way gonzo with just flat black paint. lol total fail.

jenni i have never used a vacuum table before so i have no idea on how to use it or anything lol
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DR. GONZO
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Post by DR. GONZO » Mon Jan 25, 2010 10:06 am

yeah it too forever to do it that way ya have to let each layer dry completly
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Post by mikeb818 » Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:40 pm

well i want them off. so i tried wet sanding 600 and it totally scratched mt headlights :(
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Post by jetas » Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:54 pm

Did you buff after u sanded them?
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Post by Passt » Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:57 pm

Thanks for the write up :)
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Post by mikeb818 » Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:57 pm

no. i havent. i wanna go grab the meguires headlight restoration kit. that would work right?
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DR. GONZO
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Post by DR. GONZO » Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:37 pm

i think it would help
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toddw814
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Post by toddw814 » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:21 pm

i have used the megiures headlight restorer and it works great .depending on the depth of the scratches it willl need like 5 to 10 coats maybe more and i would hit it with 1000 grit then 2000 grit and get those scratches finer then hit it with megiures or like 5 10 coats of clear and in between coats wet sand i woulld prolly wet sand before i use clear or use megiures .both way will work
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Post by mikeb818 » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:30 am

thanks toddw814 :thumbup:
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Post by cgneon » Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:42 am

good write up.. i did mine some months back with the headlights on the car, never removed em..;) and used 3M automotive grade double sided tape and im pretty sure these things are never coming off.
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