Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ question about resizes a lexan body

[Kishkumen]

The only time I used a vacuum former was in a sculpture class some years ago. But my results were the same as yours (not forming all the way around the body) until the instructor set me straight.

With styrene (dunno about lexan) you have to heat it until it sags in the frame. Then it will stop sagging and tighten back up. Then it will sag again. At that point you can let it sag and get softer (unless it's going to drop onto the heating element or something) and then put it onto the mold. Then it will suck onto the shape all the way to the bottom.

The stuff they chrome things with uses a process called electroplating. It isn't just painted on. That's why you can't find any kind of paint that shiny. But experiment with painting the inside of a clear body. It might look shiny enough with a perfectly flat surface (meaning the inside of the plastic since you'd be looking at the underside of the paint)

[hopperguy]

The only time I used a vacuum former was in a sculpture class some years ago.  But my results were the same as yours (not forming all the way around the body) until the instructor set me straight.

With styrene (dunno about lexan) you have to heat it until it sags in the frame.  Then it will stop sagging and tighten back up.  Then it will sag again.  At that point you can let it sag and get softer (unless it's going to drop onto the heating element or something) and then put it onto the mold.  Then it will suck onto the shape all the way to the bottom.

The stuff they chrome things with uses a process called electroplating.  It isn't just painted on.  That's why you can't find any kind of paint that shiny.  But experiment with painting the inside of a clear body.  It might look shiny enough with a perfectly flat surface (meaning the inside of the plastic since you'd be looking at the underside of the paint)

the styrene i heated for like 3 mins, i did it til it looked like it was thinner and it sagged alot.. i didnt have a problem with that forming, i was having a problem with the for sale signs not forming, but i guess it isnt the same kind of plastic or something..

[WRXSTi06]

it is very difficult to get a lexan body smaller but it is possible to do the easiest way is to get a vacum former but they are rather expensive that is really my only tip for ya but unless you got alot of money layin around then i dont know what to tell ya