I got me an HHR today (2011 2LT BGM/ebony... more details after I get home with it).

Anyway, does anyone have a template for a 3rd brake light overlay? I want to do something besides lettering.

 

Congrats on the new wheels !!!

Heres an option: http://www.vinzdecals.com/createbrakeoverlay.html

 

Cool I consider that good news. I put one in there says SS, but you could make just about anything you like and stick it in there.

 

Thanks, guys. If no one has a template, I suppose I could make my own.

I've seen lots of the overlays here, and I think all of them are lettering of some sort. I'm gonna do something.... let's say "hotter".

 

They are cut from Vinyl.

Using a Vector File.

Adobe Illustrator, Corel DRAW, or FlexiSign PRO Software, or any other software that can create vector files. Depending on the Plotter you have and it's cutting program.

They are then sent to a Vinyl Plotter to be Cut. You then "weed" out the unneeded vinyl and then place a transfer tape over your just made Decal. Peel it off the paper backing and place them were you want. Rub to stick it well and peel off the transfer tape, Done.

Your local Sign Shop can design and cut just about anything you want.



There are TONS of Colors and Vinyls to choose from.



As far as a "Template" goes, you just make the file size whatever the size needs to be to fit within the space, in this case a third brake light, then create whatever you like that fits within that file size.

I havent made one for mine, (Yet) but if I were doing it, I'd measure out the light, lets just say it's 2"X12", I'd open, for me FlexiSign PRO and create a File thats 2"X12" and if it's just plain Text like your suggested "HOTTER" I would pick the Font I wanted to use, Type the word HOTTER and resize it to Fit within my 2"X12" file, and then send it to one of my cutters.

Weed it, place transfer tape on it and Done, Ready for install.

Otherwise there really isn't a universal "template" for them thats a oh heres my third brake light Template.

These are Ready to Cut Vector Files, I have 100's if not thousands, since they are Vectors I can just cut them at Any size I want at any time .



As before, you open a file the Size you want it then open the vector file you want to use, and just resize it accordingly.

These are PAPER Templates, instead of a cutting blade in the Plotter/Cutter, you use a Pen or even a Sharpie. Then you use a pounce wheel following all the lines to poke tiny holes in the lines of the design, place the "Template" were you want it, and tap a chalk filled bag over it and that Transfers the design onto the side of a car, a hood, or a storefront window, then you can use paint, gold leaf, even to help place the vinyl it all depends on what your doing, but plenty of uses. Transferring your designs for airbrush work, possibilities are endless.

 

I spent over an hour making a template. I let the light assembly hang while I covered the lens with masking tape, including the flanges on the sides and bottom. I marked the creases, then peeled it off and put the assembly back in place.

I have some black vinyl left over from another project, so that's what I'll be using once I draw out a design by hand.

I kind of want to put a translucent layer under the vinyl to act as a diffuser, so that the exposed part of the light looks less like a grid of dots (which I think will detract from the effect I'm going for). Something like scotch tape, but that I can get in a single 11 1/2" x 2" piece.

 

Black Cat Custom sent me some defuser pieces to adjust the light from one of my gauges. So there has to be rolls of it out there. I would venture a guess A&P knows where.

 

Used Vinz also. Under $12 bucks and got it in 3 days. I got the reverse stick because I placed it on the glass & had measured out to fill the entire opening. See Avatar
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Got one mod done today: pulled off the dealer-installed silver pinstripes.

So here's a mockup of what I'm trying to do with a high stop overlay.



I think I'll end up going through a few revisions before I get one that really looks good.

 

Very cool