I only used the wire for a backing so I didn't have to fill the whole thing up. The wire is easy to form to fit in the lense opening and I had a roll just sitting in the outbuilding. I didn't fill the whole thing up so I could save weight on the plastic grill. If you noticed I taped over the wire so the glass wood not bond to it. The way I am doing this I will be eliminating the lights because I will not be using them, but you are right, if anyone wanted to still have the lights just use a hole saw to cut some hole in the covers and epoxy a piece of plexiglas on the back side (great idea). I will be painting the covers blue chrome so they will look like blue tinted lenses at a distance and want the glass to setup for a couple of days before painting so there is no chance of cracking the paint when it completely cures.
As with anything I will be posting here please chime in with your ideas and add to this post if you want. It is for everyone that does not want to spend $80.00+shipping for new lenses. The whole thing cost me $12.99 not counting the things I already had (wire, tape, sandpaper, naphtha and shop towels) and about 3hrs labor not counting drying time. Everyone should understand though I have been doing bondo and glass work for about 18 years so if it takes you longer don't be surprised.
I am new here and to Murray Garden Tractors as-well, but just want to try and help everyone I can. I will be asking a lot of questions in the future that some may think everyone should no, but for this I can put what I no out to help anyone that is building a tractor on a budget.
BIG-O
Gary Owens