A "Different" Interior Mod
02-26-2005, 01:33 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
A "Different" Interior Mod
I often drive with stuff on the passenger seat that I want easy access to. Problem is, when I take a hard turn, it shifts right and bashes into the door reflector. I was afraid that one of these days it would crack or break, so I decided to do something about it and add a little "bling" factor at the same time.
Here is the basis of the mod - the so-called door reflector covers. So-called because they are not actually covers at all - they replace the reflectors. The issue I had with these is that they come chrome plated, and would stick out like a sore thumb (since the rest of the interior is black, save for a few Vette Essentials 2-tone leather pieces). Sooo... I decided to try something different.
First of all, these are quality pieces - billet aluminum and sturdily constructed. They can be found all over the Internet at various prices if you shop around (hint). The first thing I did was have Mark at VnM strip the chrome, and powder coat them in satin-finish (not gloss) black. These "covers" come with their own red reflective material epoxied to the inside. It is impossible to remove them without damage. Of course, they have to be removed for the powder coating process. So, the next step was finding replacement reflective material. I discovered a product by 3M called "Scotchlite tape." The "tape" designation is somewhat of a misnomer, as it comes in squares or sheets, and is more like thick contact paper. I purchased a 4" x 9" sheet of Type III high-intensity yellow on eBay for $2.50. It also comes in reflective white, red, BLACK, silver, gold, orange, green, and blue.
If you decide to do this, be sure to measure twice and cut once. As you can see, there is not enough left over from a standard sheet if you make a mistake!
Here is the end result...
DAY:
NIGHT:
I think it came out pretty good. In daylight, it is a good match for the Millenium Yellow. At night, it is more reflective than the factory piece.
Here is the basis of the mod - the so-called door reflector covers. So-called because they are not actually covers at all - they replace the reflectors. The issue I had with these is that they come chrome plated, and would stick out like a sore thumb (since the rest of the interior is black, save for a few Vette Essentials 2-tone leather pieces). Sooo... I decided to try something different.
First of all, these are quality pieces - billet aluminum and sturdily constructed. They can be found all over the Internet at various prices if you shop around (hint). The first thing I did was have Mark at VnM strip the chrome, and powder coat them in satin-finish (not gloss) black. These "covers" come with their own red reflective material epoxied to the inside. It is impossible to remove them without damage. Of course, they have to be removed for the powder coating process. So, the next step was finding replacement reflective material. I discovered a product by 3M called "Scotchlite tape." The "tape" designation is somewhat of a misnomer, as it comes in squares or sheets, and is more like thick contact paper. I purchased a 4" x 9" sheet of Type III high-intensity yellow on eBay for $2.50. It also comes in reflective white, red, BLACK, silver, gold, orange, green, and blue.
If you decide to do this, be sure to measure twice and cut once. As you can see, there is not enough left over from a standard sheet if you make a mistake!
Here is the end result...
DAY:
NIGHT:
I think it came out pretty good. In daylight, it is a good match for the Millenium Yellow. At night, it is more reflective than the factory piece.
02-26-2005, 05:47 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by DeeGee
Shame about the "Vette Tax". $120 for the covers 
"They can be found all over the Internet at various prices if you shop around (hint)."
IOW, I didn't want to raise the ire of any forum vendor by steering members to less expensive alternatives. But they are out there... if you look.
Last edited by BW1; 02-26-2005 at 05:53 PM. Reason: Duh... can't spell!
02-26-2005, 10:00 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
Hi BW1 -
Awesome! what a good idea - wish I had though of that....
That would look good with red in my cars...Hmmmmm..........
Thanks for sharing your neat idea - and nice work on them BTW....
best regards -
mqqn
Awesome! what a good idea - wish I had though of that....
That would look good with red in my cars...Hmmmmm..........
Thanks for sharing your neat idea - and nice work on them BTW....
best regards -
mqqn
