HOW TO: Make clear front arrowhead w/ led [Archive] - GrandAmGT.com Forum

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jscarano13
04-28-2004, 09:21 PM
1. First you must make a clear arrowhead using either plexiglass or Lexan (I used lexan due to its 250 times stronger than glass)
2. Trace out the arrowhead from the old emblem or buy one at the dealership (8 bucks i Believe.) This way if you mess up you can just re apply the new one in its place.
3. Use a dremel and carefully cut the lines u traced. (This step is better to do w/ a cut off wheel, and just sand the edges down slowly) it took me about 1.5 hrs to do it but it has to fit in perfect!
4. with your piece of lexan or plexi clamp it down to the table. use a heatgun to bend it so it matches the factory curve. or just curve it heating it up w/ lighter (at own risk)
5. once it is curved to match, attach the decal color of choice to go over the lexan (if wanted)
6. then take 4 leds wire them in series and attach the positive to terminal add switch if needed (recommended) and then take the negative to the chassis or neg of batt.
7. sand down the leds in a flat pattern to give it dispersed light.
8. then use a heatgun to take off old front emblem. (Debadge the arrowhead)
use goo gone to remove remaining adhesive, then windex to clean it off.
9. once its completely clean. then drill 4 holes as pictured into the bumper.
10. remove shroud like ur gonna take out ur headlights.
11. then using a hot glue gun squeeze hot glue through the holes then push the leds through.
11. you have to tweak ur arms to get under the front arrowhead. (big armed people seek trimpsa lol)
12. once the leds are in there then use a hotglue to hold it on there and push hard
13. then you should be done. if ive remotly done this how to correct.

oh yeah picture of what im talking about. sorry i didnt take pics through the process. lazy and was in a hurry. (daylight ran out)

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/1/web/361000-361999/361113_113_full.jpg

hope this helps guys Justin

Vintalage
04-28-2004, 09:57 PM
Thanks for taking the time to put up a how-to. I love this mod. Subtle glow but striking at the same time. :thumbs:

bsorensen
04-29-2004, 09:27 AM
thanx man that is awesome

Kodeblue
05-13-2004, 08:54 PM
Thanks for the How-To. One question though. When you put the LED's through, where does the new emblem sit apposed to the LED's? Does the emblem still fit flush and the LED"s are actually seatedunder the hole they are in?

jscarano13
05-13-2004, 09:19 PM
the leds are recessed! they shouldnt come all the way through if you sand down the tips. J

kubiache
05-13-2004, 10:02 PM
That's an awesome idea man. Good job with that.

Kodeblue
05-28-2004, 08:56 AM
How thick of lexan or plexiglass do you use? A friend had some plexiglass and I cut out a couple darts but this stuff is like 1/4" thick. It sits too high.

jscarano13
05-28-2004, 09:14 AM
i got 1/.8th of an inch. J

Kodeblue
05-28-2004, 09:35 AM
Thanks, that sounds alot better.

Kodeblue
06-06-2004, 11:32 AM
jscarano13, I sent you a PM.

jscarano13
06-06-2004, 09:41 PM
pm'ed u back. J
jscarano13, I sent you a PM.

Waeninzil
08-03-2004, 08:58 PM
do you have any pics of it lit up?

jscarano13
08-03-2004, 09:16 PM
do you have any pics of it lit up?
check my www.cardomain.com/id/jscarano13

tenspeed
08-04-2004, 11:45 AM
It's lit up on his page #7

StephenM
08-10-2004, 02:34 PM
Would anyone be willing to do this for a fee? I would love to have the red lit up, but I seem to not have the tooling nor time for it. I would gladly pay someone for thier time and expertise if anyone is interested then PM me.

Azrael
08-22-2004, 10:18 AM
Another source of clear plastic very few people seem to notice are unused cd jewel cases. Just take any that are unwanted/broken but still big enough for the job. It's also half as thick as the lexan jscarano13 used at around 1/16". You can also get away from using a dremel by using a sharp knife to score the plastic deeply and then just snapping the plastic along the line.

With either type of plastic you can further disperse light by lightly sanding it with a piece of fairly fine grit sandpaper. Anything over 1000 grit will make the plastic almost clear again. Backing the plastic with aluminum foil or reflective tape can also help disperse light and make sure that the most light is reflected out. Just add holes so the leds can shine through.