a method of manufacturing an automotive reflector comprising a series of steps . a thin plastic film having a backing material is thermoformed into the rough shape of the reflector . the thermoformed film is called a pre - form . the pre - form has a concave surface and a convex surface . the backing material forms the convex surface . the pre - form is placed within an injection molding press with the concave surface juxtaposed a mold core . molten reinforced plastic material is injected into the mold adjacent to the backing material . the plastic material heats and fuses to the backing material to form a reflector . after the plastic material has cooled , the reflector is removed from the injection mold as a finished reflector .