Headlight Bezel Material / Process ?

[D_B]

Hey guys I need a little information that isn't turning up in the search and Googling has been limited.

Basically, I would like to know what exactly, is the material used to make the headlight bezels for our C3s, and what is the process of how it's done?

Can the material still be bought and prepared easily?

Is the material layed in molds? Poured? Pressed?

If anyone know, please, it will help this project of mine out tremendously. Thanks.

[6880 Mike]

There are two types of bezels. Fiberglass and metal. The metal variety are pot metal castings having the appearance of aluminum. In a thread on another forum, someone mentioned there appears to be a high zinc content in them.

[72SBVet]

If yours is glass/smc then it's molded, but if pot metal then it's cast. You can make a mold and use fiberglass material from a local body shop supply store.

[drbluevert]

Originally Posted by D_B

Hey guys I need a little information that isn't turning up in the search and Googling has been limited.

Basically, I would like to know what exactly, is the material used to make the headlight bezels for our C3s, and what is the process of how it's done?

Can the material still be bought and prepared easily?

Is the material layed in molds? Poured? Pressed?

If anyone know, please, it will help this project of mine out tremendously. Thanks.

By the way, I've casted the side egg crates and front grills for C3s with near perfect results.
The metal bezels are white metal (pot metal is the same thing) and white metal is always poured into a mold. The high Zinc content makes low temp welding impossible to stick - I'm talking about those welding rods used to repair aluminum and bridge holes in tin. (for repairs I use JB Weld epoxy)
Art students will practice making busts and statues smelting white metal pouring into molds and use bronze patina. So you can buy the casting materials at art suppliers.

[D_B]

Mine, nor the sacrificial donors, are not metal, and I assumed SMC.

Does anyone know what type of mix or 'recipe' was used for the SMC poured into the mold? If I wanted to recreate the same material, what are the components of the mixture?

Thanks.

[6880 Mike]

SMC stands for sheet molding compound. It is a type of fiberglass. You cannot pour it.

[72SBVet]

The best thing to do is make a fg mold. SMC is a molded fg but has a release agent and is slightly different than regular fg. The main thing is to put in the right amount of hardener, which is based on outside temperature. Always use fresh resin as it has a short shelf life....I found that out when some of the spots I glassed fell off due to old resin being used. Like I said I'll get you some good info on molds and compounds.