Mods - Exterior Discussion related to the looks of the exterior of the HHR.

Tinted tail lights, painted bowtie, anyone done LED tails?

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Old 05-01-2011 | 09:49 AM
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havoc3d's Avatar
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From: Flint, MI
Tinted tail lights, painted bowtie, anyone done LED tails?

Got my SS about a month ago and am looking at affordable customizations. Mine's black, so while I'm usually a little meh on tinted tails, with the tinted windows on black...I think it's going to look slick. All prepped, planning to start with the tint spray in an hour or two.

Previous owner did a vinyl overlay on the bowtie, which looks pretty decent, but the gold shows a little bit around it, which sort of clashes with the Black with bits of red and chrome that's the overall theme. I see some people here have painted their bowties, which I'm good with. But what did you folks use to reattach them? Or did you leave them on and mask around them?

Finally, I'm thinking of replacing my tail lights, backup lights, and side markers with LEDs. Looking at www.superbrightleds.com it looks like some cars need some add-ons besides the bulbs themselves (led flashers or resistors). Anyone actually done any/all of these that can tell me whether or not the HHR is going to need any of it? I know I could just go with the ICPW tail lights (which look just awesome), which look awesome, but it looks like I could put LEDs in all the factory housings for about 1/3 the price, and if I was going to do something like that, I'd probably get the DEPO black headlights instead.

*EDIT*

Oh, Finally Finally, anyone replaced the puny horn? I used it for the first time the other day and I could almost not hear it...it was sad... If you have, what did you use? I see several options on hhrboutique.com, but horns are one of those things that seem like it'd be hard to buy online...and I've never actually been horn shopping before.

Last edited by havoc3d; 05-01-2011 at 09:57 AM. Reason: added to it
Old 05-01-2011 | 09:56 AM
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Welcome to the site!

I can't speak for the rest of what you are looking to do, but, I did paint my bowties. STUPIDLY I left them on and sprayed with a self etching primer. Got little drops of it on my bumper/back hatch I would recommend removing them. Just use the search feature for that. good luck.

Officer OUT.
Old 05-01-2011 | 09:58 AM
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" But what did you folks use to reattach them? Or did you leave them on and mask around them?"

Both....... My front I masked around, the back I removed and replaced after painting. They can be re-attached with 3M tape, which I think is a little thick but a lot of guys used it with no problem. I used "Shoe Goo"....... It's permanent!

Last edited by Greybeard999; 05-01-2011 at 01:03 PM.
Old 05-01-2011 | 10:06 AM
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WELCOME to the site congrats on the SS I went with leds and I love them especially the 4 tail lights.
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Old 05-01-2011 | 10:11 AM
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Sam, he's talking inexpensive now. Which over time IPCW's are inexpensive, but, for now he is talking LED bulbs the problem you will likely run in to, is, you will not only have to get the LED bulbs, but the resistors to not have HYPER FLASH LED tail lights. Granted its dollars to donuts less than IPCW's, but in my opinion, mine came with LED bulbs, and I still switched to IPCW's. Worth every penny @raceandstreet off of the vendors index.
Old 05-01-2011 | 10:11 AM
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Welcome, Greetings, and Congrats on the new ride! Be sure to check out the "search" function in the toolbar, there are quite a few threads on all the mods you're planning.
Old 05-01-2011 | 10:15 AM
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Maggie is the go to gal at Race & street
Old 05-01-2011 | 11:04 AM
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From: Flint, MI
Thanks for the tips. I have some 3M exterior double sided foam tape, but I don't know if I'd trust it to handle going down the highway. This is home exterior though, so I'll have a look at automotive stuff. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the mention of raceandstreet.com. hand't found them yet, I don't think. Looks like almost $100 cheaper on the ICPW lights...at that price I think I'd just go ahead and get those. Cooler than LEDs in stock housings I think and worth it to not have to splice into the electrical system to put resistors and blinkers in.
Old 05-01-2011 | 11:26 AM
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Here's a link to the 3M tape that the factories use, you can find it at a good auto parts house or body shop supply house.

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...er/output_html
Old 05-01-2011 | 11:32 AM
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Awesome! Bermuda Black IPCW's for your black SS would be NICE! No lights on, it looks like you have them limo tinted!



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