Koupsx's DIY Eyelines - Kia Forte Forum : Sedan / Koup / Forte5 Forums

Koupsx4110 · 10-26-2011, 08:48 PM

I work for a company with a laser machine and heat molding on premises and since i'm a draftsman by trade with a TON of polycarbonate acrylic readily available, i had the idea of designing headlight covers to alleviate the blinding of oncoming traffic at night. those of you with HiDs know what i'm talking about. So i took some time to design what some might call an alternative to Projector retrofits. so here's the flattened drawing still under tweaking to fit the outline.

Just figured I'd share a DIY that some people might be able to do and might want to try. I will be using 1/16" Black Gloss to match the front bumper. This will take a couple days, but more than likely Friday i will have finalized photos of the attached cover.

GraveSideTears · 10-26-2011, 10:04 PM

Sounds great! Can't wait to see it!

DevilsX · 10-27-2011, 01:24 AM

While I'm all for the idea of what you're making, it would be great for aesthetics, not so much functionality. You need to understand how headlight reflectors work. The glare coming from HID isn't actually coming from the top of the headlight, but the bottom, due to the parabolic nature of the reflector bowl, much like how radio waves bounce off of a parabolic antenna. Halogens were designed so that the light beam bounces off and shoot out at or below a preset imaginary eye line, whereas HIDs just shoot the light everywhere, causing glares as well as hot spots.

See diagram, my explanation sucks

File:Headlight reflector optics schematic.png - Wikimedia Commons

Koupsx4110 · 10-27-2011, 08:36 AM

Understandable, and I agree about the reflectivity of the high intensity against reflective surfaces. The point of my tweaking is so I can change the optic output of the headlight, but it makes sense maybe I'll make a snake eye shape with a partition between left and right so the top wouldn't be able to reflect back. I dont know at the moment but it's trial and error. I know everyone like the projector retros but im weary of baking the headlight for too long and screwingit up and the quote I got to have them installed was over 800 which I don't wanna spend on aesthetics.

miashottangel · 10-27-2011, 10:18 AM

I think it's a great idea. At least there would be other options besides retro fit projectors. Can't wait to see the finished product! I have HIDs and know about blinding people.

Koupsx4110 · 10-27-2011, 11:37 AM

Great to see other people are having problems like I am. I hate being highbeamed back and I feel like its a good way to prevent it in the future. I will have my first mock up tonight and maybe attached if the rain stops for a little bit

DevilsX · 10-27-2011, 11:54 AM

Good luck. I have a vendor that is willing to install projectors for $350 (part and labor included). As soon as the forum accepts her application, she'll be onboard.

tyzall1584 · 10-27-2011, 12:40 PM

^^That is awesome! I would definitely be interested in that :-)

PharaohKoup · 11-03-2011, 02:17 PM

bump

Koupsx4110 · 11-03-2011, 02:48 PM

Well the profile worked okay if your looSking to hide the excess reflector mess, problem came about securing the cover to the light. 3m tape made the cover crack in a couple weak points and the appearance wasn't what I was looking for. I'm looking for a stronger chemical compound that won't crack and still has a high flexibility. I've been sick and bedridden for a couple days lost power over the weekend and honestly forgot about this but I'll have some time this weekend to mess around with it.