Anyone here Have Experience with Photo Imaging into Glass?

[asphaltgambler]

Have a 'unique' problem and am looking for a solution. Hopefully someone here has direct knowledge on this and can provide some good suggestions or alternatives.

I want to have a ghost image of Frankensteins' Prometheus on the back glass of my rat rod project (see image below). It would be justified to the pass side and image size would almost be life size.

My research leads me to believe there are only 3 ways to do this but I'm not satisified with any of them.

1) Laser etch the surface with CAD
2) Laser into the glass - 2D imaging
3) Paint the image on the surface of the glass

The glass is automotive 2-piece laminate lightly tinted green @1/4" thick - 30" X 11" rectangle.

I want the image either in the glass (2d photo laser) or on the surface inside facing out (laser etch). Problems are that laser etching the surface comes close but is hard to execute with the detail w/o looking too obvious and white / frosty.

Photo 2D laser imaging in the glass is the closest to what I'm looking for but most machines only are capable of small scale objects @10"X10" and require that the glass be of optical quality. I could buy optical quality glass in the size to fit the opening but it's pricey. But then no one apparently has a machine with large enough table to accommodate that.

Painting the image on the glass. I don't think I've seen a painted image on glass that reaches the level of detail but also is very subtle or ghost like.






Suggestions please - thanks PP braintrust !!

[asphaltgambler]

Bump

[herr_oberst]

I'd look into a clear vinyl decal. (look into, get it? whap whap whap!)

But seriously, I think it might be able to give the detail you're looking for, as long as your original image has the necessary rez.

[LWJ]

I think the decal idea is great. To etch with a laser, the third axis needs to follow the contour of the glass bend. That would be very difficult to program which = expensive. Just a thought from someone who has never done anything like this! Good luck. Pics of the Rat Rod?

[GH85Carrera]

The places that do vinyl wrapping of a bus or store window displays can print it on a material that would show the image and it looks like the glass is etched. It could be peeled off if you want to change it. The level of detail is something you will need to ask them about.

[nota]

I know a guy who was cutting in to the glass
with a sand blasting micro point rig
he was using thick glass for depth

no idea if your 2 ply window
could stand that
but for a ghost maybe just frost the image
rather then cut it in deep
just frost the glass with a lite blast to just mark the surface

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

The places that do vinyl wrapping of a bus or store window displays can print it on a material that would show the image and it looks like the glass is etched. It could be peeled off if you want to change it. The level of detail is something you will need to ask them about.

Yup... this is your cheapest bet. Might not look 100% like its etched, but also won't cost a fortune, and to the untrained eye it will achieve the look you are going for.

[asphaltgambler]

Here's a few pics of the progress on my rat rod. What it is: 1956 Chevy 3200 long bed that was sourced from a Minnesota farm where it sat unloved in a field for 35+ years. The entire body is channeled 4" over a shortened / squeezed 1976 Suburban chassis. The firewall was moved back to allow clearance for the 454. It has 2" primary track roadster headers, 4" exhaust with race mufflers exiting through the rear of the cab

Rear setup is narrowed 12 bolt with all new internals, 3:73 pro gear, posi, w/girdle, disc brakes off of a '96 impala, 1-off spec soft leaf springs with Cal-trac bars (poor man's 4-link), staggered Bilstein shocks and big Addco sway bar. Part of the rear frame has been boxed for stiffness.

Front suspension comprised of tubular control arms, factory disc brakes and power rack-n-pinion setup. That is ride height shown, no air ride here. About the same ground clearance as a new Corvette

The 100+ year old oak wood in the false bed floor came from a local farm fence row where it was being mowed down this past summer to make way for a new subdivision. It took 2 weeks installing it because all the boards were badly twisted and curved. I took the straightest piece bolted it down starting in the center, a little a time while letting water run over it constantly until I could get to lay down and straighten out.

Currently working restoring the inside to factory original colors, paint, glass, rubber and adding power windows. At this point it's @60% complete. The matching Foose front wheels / tires are in the garage

[porsche4life]

Like it all but the wheels... Foose can suck it as far as I am concerned!

[mfiazzo]

Looks coll. I would lower the roof a couple of inches

[mfiazzo]

*cool

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by mfiazzo

Looks coll. I would lower the roof a couple of inches

With a 4 inch channel? You'd have to lay down to drive it!

[asphaltgambler]

I like the stock proportions on the 55-57 truck personally. Besides the original rusted stock body done pro tour underneath is the current trend.............

[herr_oberst]

I like that truck a lot. The reclaimed oak bed is an inspired touch....the tailgate is a masterpiece.

(I'm sure you hate it when people offer "help" or suggestions, but the first thing I imagine when I see those exhaust tips is a rusty, louvered "box" covering them, from the cab all the way to the fender. )

[asphaltgambler]

All the exposed welds are stitched ala Frankenstein. The tailgate piece is custom made from a street sign company, then chemically stripped the rust proof coating, hand painted the letters flat red, then left to rust naturally.

I will change the exhaust from the cab to longer chrome 90 turn-outs

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

I will change the exhaust from the cab to longer chrome 90 turn-outs

Ooh, that will tie in nice with the big polished hoops!