They are acrylic. I got a physical properties brochure with it, and said forming temps are 290-320f. I went with 310. My problem was uneven cooling. It pulled and lifted in parts of my mold due to hitting it with water unevenly.
I bought 3 pieces of acrylic. One to fuck up, and try my own method without much research at all. It didn't work well. Lol. Now, I have 2 pieces left, and will be an insult if I fuck up again, so now I am doing research, Hahaa. I have been working day and night so not much car work lately, but will be able to grab materials and lay up my other mold half tomorrow.
The lens has 2 different compound curves to it. The windshield in the above article has only one curve axis, making it a snap. My first method would have worked in that scenario. With the compound curves, the material needs to be stretched which is where my first mistake was. I could not hold the piece fully in the mold with one hand when cooling. With both sides of the mold, I can now press the 2 together, clamp it, and let it cool slowly.
There is also a tempering method you can do, since the lens will now be under tension, which could stress crack in very small cracks over time. After that, I plan to sand and clearcoat the acrylic with the same clear I will be using on the car. That way, it will have the exact same sheen as my paint. Should look good.
