Illuminating tail light center section
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Car: 92 Firebird--02 Grand Prix GTP 2Dr
Engine: Poncho 400--3.8 Supercharged
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Illuminating tail light center section
With snow on the ground and no garage to work in, I can't work on my engine swap until its warmer. So I decided to take off my tail lights to give them a good cleaning inside and out. So out it all came and into my living room for the tear down. Now something I had always thought would look REALLY cool is if the orange Bird emblem and "PONTIAC" writing in the back lit up at night.
I had always assumed it had been molded black plastic with orange inserts, so I never bothered to pursue the idea. Well after taking off the lights and housings, I noticed that it was actually translucent and painted from the back.
That old idea struck instantly! So I busted out my thin exacto-knife and started etching away at the back of the shell. Only 3 letters in and I'm very pleased so far. Not looking forward to etching out the bird tho.
I had always assumed it had been molded black plastic with orange inserts, so I never bothered to pursue the idea. Well after taking off the lights and housings, I noticed that it was actually translucent and painted from the back.
That old idea struck instantly! So I busted out my thin exacto-knife and started etching away at the back of the shell. Only 3 letters in and I'm very pleased so far. Not looking forward to etching out the bird tho.
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Car: 92 Firebird--02 Grand Prix GTP 2Dr
Engine: Poncho 400--3.8 Supercharged
Transmission: T56 6 Speed--4T65EHD
Axle/Gears: Open 10 bolt 3.42--Internal 2.93
Re: Illuminating tail light center section
Got the full word "PONTIAC" done. Very pleased with the results.
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
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Re: Illuminating tail light center section
Cool idea but what does it look like with the light off?
#5
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Re: Illuminating tail light center section
I liked the idea until that.
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Car: 1985 Trans Am T-Top
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Re: Illuminating tail light center section
After the black is scraped off, should be pretty easy to spray a coat of VHT red on it from the back. That should look pretty good.
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
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Re: Illuminating tail light center section
Always wanted to try that
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Car: 92 Firebird--02 Grand Prix GTP 2Dr
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Axle/Gears: Open 10 bolt 3.42--Internal 2.93
Re: Illuminating tail light center section
Well right now the etch marks are visible, but I'm going to detail all of that out and get some orange film over it, so it'll look pretty decent while off I'm assuming. After I get out of class today I'm going to start etching at the bird emblem.
I'm going to buy some sheet plastic and try and form it to make bulb housings and paint them with reflective paint. I plan on running two bulbs behind the shell. The bulbs will illuminate with the running lights off of the brown power wires when the light switch is turned on.
I'm going to buy some sheet plastic and try and form it to make bulb housings and paint them with reflective paint. I plan on running two bulbs behind the shell. The bulbs will illuminate with the running lights off of the brown power wires when the light switch is turned on.
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Re: Illuminating tail light center section
Looks great so far! I always thought it should have been like that from the factory.
Instead of making your own bulb holders, I would maybe try and use 2 holders from the side marker lights. The ones that use the 194 bulbs. All you would have to do is drill the holes and use a knife or dremel to make the squared-off notches for the lock tabs. I just don't know if there is enough room behind or to the side of that plate for the tail end of the holders that would stick out though.
Just my
Instead of making your own bulb holders, I would maybe try and use 2 holders from the side marker lights. The ones that use the 194 bulbs. All you would have to do is drill the holes and use a knife or dremel to make the squared-off notches for the lock tabs. I just don't know if there is enough room behind or to the side of that plate for the tail end of the holders that would stick out though.
Just my
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Car: 85 iroc z
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Re: Illuminating tail light center section
might try somthing like this for the lighting comes in red too http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-12V-LED-17cm-COB-Car-Auto-DRL-Driving-Daytime-Running-Lamp-Fog-Light-White-/141087306489?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20d97572f9&vxp=mtr#ht_6483wt_972
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Car: 92 Firebird--02 Grand Prix GTP 2Dr
Engine: Poncho 400--3.8 Supercharged
Transmission: T56 6 Speed--4T65EHD
Axle/Gears: Open 10 bolt 3.42--Internal 2.93
Re: Illuminating tail light center section
Started etching the bird. Very tedious process.
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