Under Hood Illuminated Sign DYI (pics)
01-27-2006, 09:24 PM
#1
Race Director
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Location: Bay Shore, NY 11706 MILD2WILD (M2W)
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Under Hood Illuminated Sign DYI (pics)
If you go to car shows or cruise night the one thing that bugged me was the under hood light. Many even went to the extent to put a switch in or turn it off for good. My DYI is simple, costs less the $5 and can be personalized to ones tastes. If you screw it up $10 will get you complete new light and lens from GM. The idea was to turn it into an illuminated sign the used the existing light as the light source, it will go off after 30 min but open the door and you get 30 more. You can even use transparent window stickers (like the American flag) for a more stain glass effect. If you need the light in an emergency just remove the cover and it's brighter than stock. It is completely visible in bright day light. DYI at the bottom
PS: I know no
I just hit 
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1. The OEM light cover comes right off by grasping the top and bottom and pulling off.
2. Have the local sign shop print the image / lettering you want to use for the sign (max size is 1 1/2" w x 2 1/2" h).
3. Scuff the outside of the lens with very fine scotch bright or 320 paper.
4. Apply the image or lettering on the face of the lens and mask off the inside of the lens.
5. Give it a few coats of Krylon semi flat or flat black. After a few thin coats pull off the inside masking and hold up to a light bulb to see if you can see the light. If you can remask the inside and give it a few more light coats.
6. Allow to dry over night, don't rush this or the soft paint will peel off, you may want to trace around any letters that have a paint build up with the hobby knife. The next day carefully peel out the lettering or image using an hobby knife. Remove the inside masking and as an option I inserted some replacement red brake light material (they also have orange) sold at all auto stores on the inside and tacked it in with crazy glue.
Pop it back on and it will be a cool conversation piece at the show or meet.
All mods are to be done at your own risk. This lamp gets very hot, do not install any products that may be flammable, especially on the inside of the lens.
PS: I know no
I just hit 2,000 posts 1. The OEM light cover comes right off by grasping the top and bottom and pulling off.
2. Have the local sign shop print the image / lettering you want to use for the sign (max size is 1 1/2" w x 2 1/2" h).
3. Scuff the outside of the lens with very fine scotch bright or 320 paper.
4. Apply the image or lettering on the face of the lens and mask off the inside of the lens.
5. Give it a few coats of Krylon semi flat or flat black. After a few thin coats pull off the inside masking and hold up to a light bulb to see if you can see the light. If you can remask the inside and give it a few more light coats.
6. Allow to dry over night, don't rush this or the soft paint will peel off, you may want to trace around any letters that have a paint build up with the hobby knife. The next day carefully peel out the lettering or image using an hobby knife. Remove the inside masking and as an option I inserted some replacement red brake light material (they also have orange) sold at all auto stores on the inside and tacked it in with crazy glue.
Pop it back on and it will be a cool conversation piece at the show or meet.
All mods are to be done at your own risk. This lamp gets very hot, do not install any products that may be flammable, especially on the inside of the lens.
Last edited by Pipedreams; 01-28-2006 at 06:39 PM.
01-27-2006, 11:23 PM
#12
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Ed
You are one creative guy, everytime I think you've gone over the top, you do something to top that.
Looks great, too bad I won't have it on my C6 for the show, would compliment your chrome caps perfectly.
Jeff
You are one creative guy, everytime I think you've gone over the top, you do something to top that.
Looks great, too bad I won't have it on my C6 for the show, would compliment your chrome caps perfectly.
Jeff
01-27-2006, 11:23 PM
#13
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Another Pipedreams masterpiece 
01-27-2006, 11:29 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: San Antonio Texas - Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic
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Originally Posted by NVR LAT
Somebody, somehow needs to capture this mans imagination in a bottle, I'll take a twelve pack! 
01-27-2006, 11:33 PM
#16
Team Owner
Another good one. Congrats on the 2k.
01-28-2006, 07:11 AM
#19
Safety Car
Ed,
I passed your house the other day at 4 AM. The light was on in the garage. Are you OK? You got to get some sleep! By the the way, I was out buying bagels at that time. Yes, Wantagh to Bayshore in a C6, just to buy Bagels.
I passed your house the other day at 4 AM. The light was on in the garage. Are you OK? You got to get some sleep! By the the way, I was out buying bagels at that time. Yes, Wantagh to Bayshore in a C6, just to buy Bagels.
01-28-2006, 07:37 AM
#20
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by NVR LAT
Somebody, somehow needs to capture this mans imagination in a bottle, I'll take a twelve pack!
Pipedreams does come up with some great stuff!! I know I will have to get some for the wife. Valentines day!!