PARTIAL METALLIZATION OF MOLDED PART USING ABLATION

An optical element for a lighting device of an automotive vehicle. The optical element includes a first portion configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) radiation therethrough, the EM radiation including visible wavelengths and an ablation process wavelength. Also included is a second portion configured to absorb at least the ablation process wavelength, the second portion being in contact with the first portion to define an ablation process boundary which separates a surface of the first portion from an adjacent surface of the second portion. A patterned optical coating is provided on the optical element such that the optical coating material is provided on at least a part of the surface of the second portion, but not provided on the surface of the first portion.