okay boys and girls. This is the first part of my "cheap mod" series heh.
What I did was I got rid of that gross amber lenses on the bumper and replaced em with red ones.
supplies:
screw driver
all weather clear coat
red transparent paint(I used regular hobby paint. Testors Red Metal Flake (1629) works well. However, you'll have to touch it up ever 5 months or so. IF you can find it, get Foila-Tec. This stuff is expensive but it lasts a very long time.)
some skill with an aerosol can
amber bulbs (optional, type 1156 bulb)
Bumper Signal Lens Mod
1) the first step is to remove the old lens(and housing if you want...but I chose to keep those on for now. Just so I wouldn't mix the two up.) This is also a good time to clean up the lens really well. That warm soapy water deal is good for cleaning stuff up. Don't worry if that rubber seal comes off. It's okay, you can reuse them so don't chuck em out.
the rubber seal you have to keep
2) next get some news papers or whatever and put your lenses on there and paint away. The typical thing for this mod is two light coats on the outside and two light coats of clear coat. I did one coat of red on the outside of the lens and one coat of clear coat (will be adding the 2nd coat later when I get all weather clear coar, I'm using hobby clear coat right now) and one coat of red on the inside of the lens. i think it turned out pretty well...These pictures are of the first coat on the outside.
flash off
flash on
I have a very annoyingly bright flash
3) after letting them dry overnight, the time to go get your housings has come. (oh..don't worry about mixing up the lenses there's little RH(right hand) and LH(left hand) imprints on them). When you're taking out the housings they might feel like they're not comming out far, but just jiggle it around a bit and pull it out gently. Once you see the connector for the lights and can reach them, that's far enough. Just unplug the housing and go wash em off.
4) Once they're washed off and dried(I just cleaned them with a cloth) all you have to do is screw the lenses on (make sure you get the lenses on the right housing, but I don't think the left lens fits on the right housing anyways and vice versa. You'd better have kept those rubber seals from before because this is where you can put em in. on the inner lining of the housing, there's little tracks that you put the rubber seal on. Make sure you have the right one on the right housing and the left one on the left housing. there will be a little square on each indicating which goes where.
the rubber lining re-installed.
the lenses painted and mounted
5) now time to go out and mount them on your car. If you're not sure which housing goes where...dont' worry. just look on the lenses for the RH or LH imprints. LH is driver's side(in a north american car) and RH is the passenger's side(in a north american car). here's what it looks like with the signals on. They look amber but let me assure you, they're red.
Finally, here's the finished product without the blinkers on.
vs. the original
I think it's an improvement icon_biggrin.gif
for an added effect, you can go to canadian tire and get some amber bulbs(I'll be doing this). This is so when the lights are off, it's red, but when you're signalling it's an orangish colour(it won't be exactly amber anymore because of the red..but close enough).
Amber Bulb Replacement
1) This is simple. From your signal light housing remove the old bulb. To remove it you simply press down on the bulb and turn it counter clockwise.
2) Now install the new amber bulbs, the type of bulb is 1156NA. Now you put it in the slot, push down and turn it clockwise. That's it, you're done. get the seal and lenses back on and put it on your car.
before replacement
after replacement
Pictures still to come.
the "after" picture with amber bulbs installed without that damn white spot on my bumper.
Like I said guys, this is the first of a few inexpensive mods. It's not noticable to the common person...but the S12 enthusiast might notice it. I hope you guys enjoyed this and I hope I get some feedback.
_________________
Nissan RPS12
mods:
Panasonic Head Unit
2.25" custom aluminum exhaust(cat-muffler)
2.25" aluminum magnaflow muffler
momo superturismo pedals
http://www.cardomain.com/id/indecisive1
Oct 29, 2003, 10:25 am · #1