G-RELL's Full PLasti Dip & Others

[G-RELL]

Being a first gen, we are forced into only the fake wood interior trim... With mine being a sport, I've never really cared for it in my car. Well after seeing another member wrap theirs, I was in.

Pretty straight forward... Dash pieces pull straight out. door panels need to come off...

separating the door "wood" is a little trickier, They are held on by metal nuts,

and the post used to guide them on are also melted down. These posts must be drilled / cut off (only the black ones).

Then pull out with a little help

Then just wrapped

I did find this on my driver door module... Is this the label for my code?

Then reverse assembly...Without having a wood steering wheel or shifter, I think it added alot to the interior..

B/A

back together

:Beer

and since we're talking about vinyl..Hite ordered a 8 mile roll of black vinyl trim tape...Before and after:

stuff is a perfect match...

 

[Ben's LS]

I've always been afraid to try black trim with tan interior, but guess now I have to do it! Great work.

 

[jjcool00]

slow down..... lol

 

[Dan Ro]

That black fits the car a lot better than the fake wood. I'm actually not a fan of wood grain in a car unless it is a gray or black stain. I did my interior pieces in a carbon fiber vinyl. It has a matte finish so it's not as flashy as gloss carbon fiber. I didn't want it to be to "POW, Look At Me." Although, I have yet to do my door panel pieces.

 

[Andrizzle]

INterior looks great.

I had same white tape on my module, but mine was blank.

It looks like you don't even have a keypad, though?

 

[G-RELL]

Yeah, although I thought it was the same as the programming code...maybe not... No I do not have a key pad (I dont think any 1st gen did)

 

[G-RELL]

I also upgraded my HU. I've had this 7" fold out for years... always worked well... But most of the time it stayed in because it A. all the buttons needed are out front and B. When out it would block vents (which was pretty annoying). Well, Hite upgraded his, and made me an offer I couldn't pass up for his old one.

old one:

Everything was pretty much the same as wiring,

but added a reverse cam.

After talking with 1LoudLs and working with Hite, I was able to find and follow Mr Howie's relay guide for wiring a relay for a reverse signal to the HU for the camera. Super staright forward

34) Adding a rear view camera...(The LS uses a module to operate all the rear lights. It sends a ground signal to a light bulb to activate tail lamp, brake lamp, reverse lamp.) The camera operates with a (+) signal to turn on the camera. The camera power has to come from the battery saver circuit. The most convenient source is at the right rear trunk lamp (+) circuit. This is always on when the car ignition is on and activates when the key FOB is activated or the door is opened. A separate relay has to be installed to provide the head unit with a (+) signal instead of a (-) signal during reverse lamp activation. A wire from the (-) module side of the reverse lamp has to be run from the trunk lid wiring under the rear seat to the center console. A relay then has to be installed using a (+) circuit at on of the connectors under the console. Use the (-) signal from the module to trigger the relay coil to provide a (+) signal to the radio head unit.
Pin 85 (-) signal from reverse lamps
Pin 86 (+) positive signal from battery saver circuit at connecter under console.
Pin 30 (+) from battery saver circuit.
Pin 87 (+) signal to radio head unit reverse signal.
Pin 87a not used.

Do not use the amp power wire to turn on the camera. All cameras have a heating element to keep the lense from fogging. Too much current for the amp turn on circuit. This will overload the circuit and cause intermittent failure.

I used the trunk light to power to the camera, and power the relay

wiring is better then the pic

and traced the reverse light bulb back the the end of the trunk lid loom

Buttoned everything up and it all worked perfect!

I also have a toggle switch for my amp and a PAC signal controller for the sub.

and ran Ipod and AUX jack to console

Camera fits perfect

a few months ago i swapped my 2 mtx 12's to my one 12" Skar... Amazing the difference in both SQ and SP

 

[Tony Starks]

Looks sick Rell.

 

[Dan Ro]

When you Dipped your license plate surround did you mask, take off or peel the black gasket behind the surround? Because I did notice that you removed it when spraying. I planned to remove all the lights because it is annoying to peel the Dip off of that tiny spongy rubber seal around them. I had not considered removing the plate surround but now am thinking of doing so.

How long did it take for the shipping of your kit order. I ordered Tuesday but it still only shows as processed. I really hope that the order arrives next week.

 

[Upstairs Chris]

Hope you like my artwork.

 

[Andrizzle]

Gain knob for the woofer amp.

Looks great dude. Nice string of mods. The new headunit is boss. I like the plate tint, too.

 

[G-RELL]

View attachment 828459381

Hope you like my artwork.

Could have done it better myself!...

yep, signal control knob... Boston Acoustics were backordered on an actual "gain" controller when I ordered my amp years ago, so this was the best next thing. With the single din i had it mounted in the cubby area, havent found a better place for it yet...

I might move over the ground switch (under the trunk / fuel release) for the DVD player and mount it next to that... we'll see

 

[G-RELL]

Gain knob for the woofer amp.

Looks great dude. Nice string of mods. The new headunit is boss. I like the plate tint, too.

LOL I actually got pulled over for it not too long ago, apparently, they've passed a "nothing blocking the plate law" around here.... Went well with the car when it was gold, so no plans on taking it off.

When you Dipped your license plate surround did you mask, take off or peel the black gasket behind the surround? Because I did notice that you removed it when spraying. I planned to remove all the lights because it is annoying to peel the Dip off of that tiny spongy rubber seal around them. I had not considered removing the plate surround but now am thinking of doing so.

How long did it take for the shipping of your kit order. I ordered Tuesday but it still only shows as processed. I really hope that the order arrives next week.

Yeah there was no way Id have been able to peel JUST the black seal. way easier to just take it off. I would also take off all the lights, mirrors, and door seals, my plan for those didn't work as well as I hoped and would say its looks the worst (not bad, but wish I would have just pulled them).. you may also want to think about lifting the car to paint it... I will be placing mine on my jack stands next time to get alittle more heigth (tough to get the lower parts with the gun otherwise, I didn't have much room in my garage though so it may be easier otherwise).

Make sure what you ordered isn't on backorder, They have to send it ground (they dont, but its easier for them to just say they do... we had to explain to them how the shipping world works) ... so a 3 day normal shipping took 7-8 days to get to me. There customer service is pretty good though, Joe and christina are easy to work with, just need to stay on top of them. It's still a pretty small company it seems, so I give them a little wiggle room.

 

[jjcool00]

Off-topic - I couldnt help but be reminded of a Dexter murder when I saw your garage completely plastic wrapped

 

[Dan Ro]

Yeah there was no way Id have been able to peel JUST the black seal. way easier to just take it off. I would also take off all the lights, mirrors, and door seals, my plan for those didn't work as well as I hoped and would say its looks the worst (not bad, but wish I would have just pulled them).. you may also want to think about lifting the car to paint it... I will be placing mine on my jack stands next time to get alittle more heigth (tough to get the lower parts with the gun otherwise, I didn't have much room in my garage though so it may be easier otherwise).

Make sure what you ordered isn't on backorder, They have to send it ground (they dont, but its easier for them to just say they do... we had to explain to them how the shipping world works) ... so a 3 day normal shipping took 7-8 days to get to me. There customer service is pretty good though, Joe and christina are easy to work with, just need to stay on top of them. It's still a pretty small company it seems, so I give them a little wiggle room.

I just called them. Thanks for suggesting that as a possibility of something on backorder. The spray gun cleaning kit is. She said that she would ship all the rest of the order today. I do plan to jack it up to have better access to the lower areas and I do plan to do my jambs and had looked at pulling the rubber seals off. How well did it go spraying in the door handle area?

 

[RigsLS]

... apparently, they've passed a "nothing blocking the plate law" around here ...

"Obstruct plate" been there, done that.

in my old 4X4 Jimmy, spotted for speeding, asked to see it on radar, couldn't produce, told him, my word against your word, 15min later handed me an "Obstruct Plate" ticket for the smoked plastic lens across my plates. was thrown out of court because he didn't appear that day.

Apparently one can get that same ticket for having mud or snow across the plates. plate must be clear and visible at all times, the law here reads.

 

[Dan Ro]

Looks sick Rell.

You know G-Rell, that center console would look better with a leather shift boot :biggrin:

 

[G-RELL]

I keep forgetting to check that thread and order... going there now!!! Pics when installed. We have friends coming over tonight to look at mine and talk about doing there 2012 Edge... I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[G-RELL]

So here's some other things I've done over the last few months leading up to now.

Swapped my first gen brake light with a second (used ebay)..

The second gen light already has resistors built in, so it was as simple as running wires from the third brake light harness to the headliner.

For some reason the first gen's body already the mounting spots for the lamp... took a minute to get the tabs perfect. I had a velcro pieces like the OEM ones I used... It lined up well but not knowing how the 2nd gen headliners cover it, I just painted mine. ..

test fit

All in all I like it, With tinted windows, it looks stock. only real difference is (im assuming) the headliner, and the defrost lines cut infront of it a bit... not that anyone would notice.


We'll see if the new roof spoiler blocks it when I finish wrapping it.

Painted my throttle body and detailed the engine bay.

I have a hand held battery scrubber... Made by windex I think! works awesome.

Another thing I did when detailing was tape a cap of high temp flat grill paint and a paintbrush, and went around dabbing any rusty bolt head or any other part needing it (ie fuel rail). It goes on SUPER thin, and it almost seems like it absorbs the paint.... great for that finishing touch and makes them loo new again.

I had also repainted my calipers.... I had done it once last year, but just wasnt feeling the grey...

so pulled the pads and wrapped them up

had my vinyl guy make some stars, then clear coated them on.

after I had them done I realized how bad the slotted rotors looked (rusted on the vents) so I painted them silver. After those were done I realized how bad all the linkage looked, so I painted them all black... final looked good.

 

[LS4me]

How does the headliner sit around the brake light? It looks pretty flush. Does it maybe extend a little further "into" the back glass? What are your plans for the parcel shelf?

LOOKING GOOD!!!!!

 

[Andrizzle]

Awesome job on the light and paint.

What tint %?

 

[G-RELL]

How does the headliner sit around the brake light? It looks pretty flush. Does it maybe extend a little further "into" the back glass? What are your plans for the parcel shelf?

LOOKING GOOD!!!!!

Its pretty flush, it could be trimed to make it perfect... RIght now its using the factory holes (corrected last pic) and seems like its in the right spot...IDK, I need to look at a second gen a little more closely... I have a piece of carpet covering it now, But I'd imagine I could swap out a 2nd gens deck pretty easily. just gotta find one.

Awesome job on the light and paint.

What tint %?

Thanks buddy, Its 20% all around... Tint guy says we have a factory 70% already on it, making it closer to 17%. my law is 35% on the front so we'll see how long I make it.

My Buddy and I at dinner Saturday.... He has the vossen rims that they say they've made a set for us... the set they photoshopped on Bulls car.

just sick..

 

[G-RELL]

A Few other Things

My rear valance started to warp a while back from A. the middle tabs breaking off and B. poorly cut exhaust cutouts when I did it a couple years ago... So I bought a used bumper to replace on my other LS. So I removed THAT bumper (and removed valance) and removed the rear bumper off this LS (dipped one) and swapped its valance...all in all, two rear bumper removals (and replacements) and Three lower valance removals. I think I can do it with my eyes closed now... Even found the nut on the passenger side (ive heard of some people just ripping it out).

about half of all the screws (of all three) stripped needed to be drilled out, plus the rivets. Then took my time measuring and cutting the new cutouts Used a large tape roll to help keep it all straight...

turned out MUCH better this time. I still didn't cut into the actual bumper cover, just the lower valance. My plan was (is) to maybe pull the dip on the lower valance between the tips to make it black again...we'll see though.

forgot to sand it perfectly before dipping, but still looks 10x better

replaced front Hubs with Hite's newly patented Hub removal tool (LOL not the grinder) but a pretty smart way of threading a couple bolts through some stud holes and pushing them out (like a reverse pulley puller ).

Also refinished my headlights again, followed the same write up http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?74933-Refinished-my-lights-PICS!!! , they weren't bad, but I've been fighting on leaking for years and got a little moisture back in it some how. I think its coming from a top seal, so I wanted to use the Minwax mix in that seal to see if it would help... 6 or so washes later we're still dry...

before: two years since last refinish

done:

Thats about it Guys, I've got some things coming the mail this week. And another to order... I'll keep ya posted, (may even take a pic or two )

 

[Dan Ro]

Are you planning on "Dipping" the lower grille? Maybe cover the white with a gallon of Pearlizer?

 

[jjcool00]

What about 2nd gen taillights? Or do you have to get a new trunk lid?