S indicator lens repair, total cost approx £3

[tileart]

My S3 has had numerous replacement front indicators over the past 26 years. Until recently one had a chipped corner which looked a bit ratty, so I found a quick easy and inexpensive repair solution. I looked at local accident blackspots for some roadkill indicator lens material, but most was far too thick. So I got some “Loopy Lenses” from Poundland, and I laminated a red one and a yellow one using ordinary plastic glue (not super glue or epoxy), resulting in an approximately correct orange colour. Then with my trusty Dremel saw I cut a section that matched the cracked part of my indicator, and fixed it in place with the same glue, using masking tape to hold it until set. When completely dry it all polished-up using rubbing compound. While at it I made-up some gaskets from 1.5mm clear silicone rubber sheet (on Fleabay), which helps seat the lens on that part of the body moulding – see cardboard template with dimensions. Also one of the original lenses had become somewhat deformed over time, they were made of some kind of fairly thermo-plastic material, so a hairdryer encouraged it back to the correct curvature. (The later-production lenses seem to be made of a harder non-thermo-plastic material so heating them won’t produce a result).

Edited by tileart on Thursday 8th March 09:01

[v8s4me]

Very clever. As an alternative to glue I've found fibre glass resin is good for mending broken plastic.

[phillpot]

If only you'd asked.................

One day I may get around to trying an "invisible" repair, think that'll leave the corner you needed available

[tileart]

...rats ! Still I do have some splendid googly-eye goggles !