STLTHVX - feedback

OK, so last night I got my spare stock side markers. Total cost $50, from this site. Shipping was quick, had the parts in about 5 days in two different boxes (from different locations). They sent me one right and one left side marker, brand new in box.

So, keeping the nice new ones in the box, I removed the ones I already have on, sanded the raised lettering off and then sanded the whole side marker to give the paint something to stick to. Then I laid down a thin coat of plastic primer and then 2 coats of Duplicolor Universal Black and then one coat of clear engine enamel. Now my VX is colorless except for the rear markers and tail lights, which don't bother me at all. And oh yeah, those ugly tin plates that the government makes my VX wear...

Here is the result:

http://www.nofuture.com/myvx/pics/stlthvx1.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/myvx/pics/stlthvx2.jpg

http://www.nofuture.com/myvx/pics/stlthvx3.jpg

So, I like it, but I can't help but think it looks like something is missing. I guess it is just in my head, but I have thought about taking them off and painting them again with a really dark gray (to match the hood insert and cladding). I think this way they would create the correct contrast, but then again, it might look weird (like what are those things on the side for?). Then again, it might just be in my head. I need to stare at it for a week and then decide.

Anyway, what do you all think?

Thanks- Bart

I see Nothing, Nothing, Nothing! ;)


Looks fine, It's always good to see other ideas. If the edges of the lenses were still clear (not painted) then you would see light out of the edges when the lights were on (Might be just the contrast you were after???).

why don't you just take them off and cover the holes and take them to a paint shop and re-paint the whole thing black, and you wont even have nothing on your fenders, and it will look slick and smoth, but of course it's more monry, but again, no to much i don't think, just make sure u get them to match it as perfect as possible. but those don't look bad. Well thats what i think, :).

Even with the 3 coats of paint, I can still see some amber light leak around the edges with the lights on, and a very faint amber glow in the center of the marker. I am thinking I just need to take out the bulbs, because I really don't want to see any AMBER light there, its just plain ugly. Since the turn signals on the side only blink when your head lights are on, I think I should be ok. The VX is such a unique looking vehicle, that I doubt any authority figures would think twice about it.

Plus, its seems that NO ONE IN RENO EVER SIGNALS ANYWAY so I might as well join the crowd! :)

Does anyone see any potential issues (electrically speaking) if I just take out the bulbs?

Thanks,

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Techy-D

I see Nothing, Nothing, Nothing! ;)


Looks fine, It's always good to see other ideas. If the edges of the lenses were still clear (not painted) then you would see light out of the edges when the lights were on (Might be just the contrast you were after???).

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You know, I did think of that. I mean, I could remove the panels, have a patch welded underneath, apply Bondo and sand out smooth and then get the fenders painted again, BUT, this would cost a lot more, take a lot more time, and also there is a lot more room for error. But, it would look SWEET if done correctly...

But, this way, I have the stock markers in amber still, so I can always put them in if I need to get a vehicle inspection or something. So for now, I will play it safe and cheap ;)

Good idea though.

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CostieCosta

why don't you just take them off and cover the holes and take them to a paint shop and re-paint the whole thing black, and you wont even have nothing on your fenders, and it will look slick and smoth, but of course it's more monry, but again, no to much i don't think, just make sure u get them to match it as perfect as possible. but those don't look bad. Well thats what i think, :).

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but if u removed them and bondo it, no will ever know that lights fo there, and u can always buy later those turns singals that go under or in the mirrior of your side mirrors, u know the ones with arrow leds, but i think no will know and not even get the clue ever that lights go there, and for the cost, it should noy be tooooo much, and its a unique vehical anyways, so u want the best Mods on your VX.

It will be time conuming, but wellllll worth it. I thought of the same thing, but I have a ironman, and i just rather what to see if i can find a good corner light to replace it, or wiat till the clear corners are made again.

Agreed. Later this summer, I will be doing some extensive body work on my other vehicle. I will look into getting this done at that point for sure.

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CostieCosta

but if u removed them and bondo it, no will ever know that lights fo there, and u can always buy later those turns singals that go under or in the mirrior of your side mirrors, u know the ones with arrow leds, but i think no will know and not even get the clue ever that lights go there, and for the cost, it should noy be tooooo much, and its a unique vehical anyways, so u want the best Mods on your VX.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

Agreed. Later this summer, I will be doing some extensive body work on my other vehicle. I will look into getting this done at that point for sure.

Bart

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I almost gave 0177 an airbrushed, scaley, snake/lizard/dragon skin paint job last summer. I'd offer my services, but you're pretty far away :rolleyes: Making that hole become invisible, takes a bit. How many shaved door handles have you seen, where the opening is still faintly visible(or plainly visible). This paint contains quite a bit of red pigment, and can be a @!$#% to match." Perfect" matches will require blending into the doors, and hood. Now it's getting pricey$$$... again,to do it right. I'm thinking a nice, matte (not flat) black, all-over would be YOU. Match those wheels real nice. Take a Florida vacation for a few weeks. Between November and now... when the weather is perfect, the humidity is low, and the shooting conditions are optimal~ Wayne

Yeah, I had a panel resprayed by a reputable collision shop when I had my Xterra hit and the paint never really matched. In the sun you could always see the difference. I don't know if I am willing to risk that with my VX. Like you said, I would have to repaint the whole truck. This way, I could also fix the dent on my tail gate and the tiny dent on my hood, but this would get exspensive.

For now, I am happy with the respray. Plus, if the clears ever do become available, it would be nice to run those.

Bart

PS - No offense, but no thanks on the Florida trip. I lived there for 7 years. I consider leaving FL one of my greatest accomplishments, only second to my leaving Chicago for Reno!! You can keep your palmetto bugs and your fire ants and your uncomfortable crab grass and all that sickening humidity and stupid Disney World and all the rotten, wretched, old people, all to yourself! Can you tell I hated living there? :) :) :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chopper

I almost gave 0177 an airbrushed, scaley, snake/lizard/dragon skin paint job last summer. I'd offer my services, but you're pretty far away :rolleyes: Making that hole become invisible, takes a bit. How many shaved door handles have you seen, where the opening is still faintly visible(or plainly visible). This paint contains quite a bit of red pigment, and can be a @!$#% to match." Perfect" matches will require blending into the doors, and hood. Now it's getting pricey$$$... again,to do it right. I'm thinking a nice, matte (not flat) black, all-over would be YOU. Match those wheels real nice. Take a Florida vacation for a few weeks. Between November and now... when the weather is perfect, the humidity is low, and the shooting conditions are optimal~ Wayne

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

You can keep your palmetto bugs and your fire ants and your uncomfortable crab grass and all that sickening humidity and stupid Disney World and all the rotten, wretched, old people, all to yourself!

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<hijack>

bwahahahaaa... i hear the keys are nice, tho.

</hijack>

-biju.

Naaa, the Keys suck too. Boring as hell, unless you are a Parrot Head who likes to listen to crappy music and sit in the hot sand all day while the sun cooks your living flesh...

:)

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by biju

<hijack>

bwahahahaaa... i hear the keys are nice, tho.

</hijack>

-biju.

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Your missing tint.

Soon my son, soon.

:) Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JHarris1385

Your missing tint.

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ok. i agree. avatar's gotta go. :p :p :p :p :p

-biju.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

Naaa, the Keys suck too. Boring as hell, unless you are a Parrot Head who likes to listen to crappy music and sit in the hot sand all day while the sun cooks your living flesh...

:)

Bart

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Must be why Hemingway drank so much...lovin' the look Bart!

OK Beej, I fixed it for you.

:cool: :cool: :cool:

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by biju

ok. i agree. avatar's gotta go. :p :p :p :p :p

-biju.

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NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Amusing thread... totally and irreversably hijacked at this point.

I am reminded of Nigel Tufnel's line from Spinal Tap: "It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black." Too bad you can't fit an abbreviation like "Nun mo blk" on your plate. :-)

I doubt Nevada is a stickler for these sorts of things, but having side turn signals visible from all angles (as opposed to the mirror-mounted ones Costie) is generally a mandatory requirement in the rest of the country, and for obvious reasons, so if you remove them and fill the holes, you may have trouble getting the VX registered in the next state you find yourself in (other than the state of inebriation, of course! ;-)

I agree with Beej - your avatar took a step in the wrong direction, but it's growing on me. Speaking of which, I need to come up with a new one. I have ideas, but The Man just closed off the little trail that I was going to do a little vid clip on. Oh well...

Bart, rent The Handmaiden's Tale and take a close look at the "official government vehicles" and how they were set up and painted (semi-gloss black). A meaner-looking minivan never rolled down the road! You may find inspiration there.

Personally, I think your ride needs a point of contrast - all black is just all black. Contrast will make the impression stronger.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

Personally, I think your ride needs a point of contrast - all black is just all black. Contrast will make the impression stronger.

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lovin' the black, bart! great work. also agree on the contrast front ^. not sure what i'd suggest for contrast tho. :confused:

-biju.

Concerning shaving the fender marker lights....

If you drive it a lot or do any offroading, don't shave the fenders with mud. Shaving is purely for cosmetic purposes. Spotting in fitted sheetmetal and then smoothing over with plastic will not stand up to any mid to heavy usage. I found this out years ago when I shaved all my side markers on a truck. It was a DD and got some offroad time in and slowly but surely, the mud began to take too much of a beating from the vibration and cracked up and split the paint.

Proper way to do it.... go old school. Spot in your sheetmetal and then instead of using mud, hammer and dolly hot lead to it. Takes more elbow work, but that is the 100% best way to do it. This is the ONLY way to go when working with older vehicles anyways, plus, it is extremely durable and solid. Show car quality. It;s tough to find someone who can do it as 95% of shops have no techs who do it. Come to MD.... I'll do it for ya. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

Amusing thread... totally and irreversably hijacked at this point.

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That's OK by me, as long as its fun!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

I am reminded of Nigel Tufnel's line from Spinal Tap: "It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black." Too bad you can't fit an abbreviation like "Nun mo blk" on your plate. :-)

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I need to rent Spinal Tap. I STILL have not seen it. I loved Best In Show.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

I doubt Nevada is a stickler for these sorts of things, but having side turn signals visible from all angles (as opposed to the mirror-mounted ones Costie) is generally a mandatory requirement in the rest of the country, and for obvious reasons, so if you remove them and fill the holes, you may have trouble getting the VX registered in the next state you find yourself in (other than the state of inebriation, of course! ;-)

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Right, that's why I bought a second set. This way I can always throw the ambers back on and pass inspection, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

I agree with Beej - your avatar took a step in the wrong direction, but it's growing on me. Speaking of which, I need to come up with a new one. I have ideas, but The Man just closed off the little trail that I was going to do a little vid clip on. Oh well...

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LOL, to me, it is just freakin hilarious. Made even more funny, by the fact that is has shaken and disturbed so many on this forum! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

Bart, rent The Handmaiden's Tale and take a close look at the "official government vehicles" and how they were set up and painted (semi-gloss black). A meaner-looking minivan never rolled down the road! You may find inspiration there.

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Added to Netflix que and moved to top, with Spinal Tap. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VehiGAZ

Personally, I think your ride needs a point of contrast - all black is just all black. Contrast will make the impression stronger.

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Well, my ultimate hope would be for a nice, solid set of quality made clear side markers. But for now, I am pretty much digging the black. I might, as I said earlier, take them off and spray them dark gray, and try to match the cladding. I think will create the correct contrast needed, but at the same time it might draw attention to the fact that I covered my side turn signals. Plus, I can always respray them black if I don't like the gray. So we shall see. Saturday is my day with the VX. On the list is:

1) Try out Coleman Safari Rack (should arrive today)
2) Find place for my new Scan Guage III
3) Find place for my new Garmin GPS (should be here tomorrow)
4) Finish installing Tone's hitch and brake light adapter
5) Get another tire mounted on spare rim for Moab
6) Get smog check
7) Go to DMV and order new "STLTHVX" plates

:)

Bart

Gary, you are invited to come out to Reno and teach me, as I am going to need to do some patching on my Ford Falcon when it arrives...

:) Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WormGod

Concerning shaving the fender marker lights....

If you drive it a lot or do any offroading, don't shave the fenders with mud. Shaving is purely for cosmetic purposes. Spotting in fitted sheetmetal and then smoothing over with plastic will not stand up to any mid to heavy usage. I found this out years ago when I shaved all my side markers on a truck. It was a DD and got some offroad time in and slowly but surely, the mud began to take too much of a beating from the vibration and cracked up and split the paint.

Proper way to do it.... go old school. Spot in your sheetmetal and then instead of using mud, hammer and dolly hot lead to it. Takes more elbow work, but that is the 100% best way to do it. This is the ONLY way to go when working with older vehicles anyways, plus, it is extremely durable and solid. Show car quality. It;s tough to find someone who can do it as 95% of shops have no techs who do it. Come to MD.... I'll do it for ya. ;)

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Yeah, I am tossing around the dark gray idea still....but I am on the fence.

Bart

PS - I hope the Insecticon Boy's face forever flips back and forth in your mind, whenever you close your eyes. :p :p :p :p

PPS - Wouldn't it be awesome if we could find out who this kid is and see what he looks like today?

PPPS - I think I need to make a nice, big color printout of him and stick him in my back window for Moab... LOL!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by biju

lovin' the black, bart! great work. also agree on the contrast front ^. not sure what i'd suggest for contrast tho. :confused:

-biju.

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Spinal Tap is no Best in Show, and it feels pretty dated seeing it these days, but it has some classic lines in it. You have to imagine it's the dying age of the first wave of British heavy rock/metal (think BOC, Black Sabbath, etc.) to put it into context, and these guys have squeezed all they can out their run, and this is how they fall apart...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

Yeah, I had a panel resprayed by a reputable collision shop when I had my Xterra hit and the paint never really matched. In the sun you could always see the difference. I don't know if I am willing to risk that with my VX. Like you said, I would have to repaint the whole truck. This way, I could also fix the dent on my tail gate and the tiny dent on my hood, but this would get exspensive.

For now, I am happy with the respray. Plus, if the clears ever do become available, it would be nice to run those.

Bart

PS - No offense, but no thanks on the Florida trip. I lived there for 7 years. I consider leaving FL one of my greatest accomplishments, only second to my leaving Chicago for Reno!! You can keep your palmetto bugs and your fire ants and your uncomfortable crab grass and all that sickening humidity and stupid Disney World and all the rotten, wretched, old people, all to yourself! Can you tell I hated living there? :) :) :)

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Sure,sure...next you'll complain about hurricanes, wildfires, giant spiders, homicidal mosquitoes, yellow fever, tornadoes, shark attacks, venomous reptiles, hail storms, deadly fresh water microorganisms, alligators in the pool, crazy lightning kill ratio, low wages, illegal immigrants, and road rage shootings. Look man, it's always easy finding the ugly stuff, just remember... it's really, really warm in winter :p :p

I forgot... It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all, It's a small, small, small, small world. It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all, It's a small, small, small,small world. It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all............................................... .................................................. .Wayne

You can't make anything too black. Especially matte black. Glasrit does some really nice water based stuff for BMW and Merc.

So far, my only complaints about Reno are the rediculous gas prices here, the rediculous home prices, and the WIND! It is so freakin windy in my back yard I can't even bbq!

But other than that, its freakin great. Its so close, to so many killer places, I can't believe it took me this long to get out here!

And quite honestly, Florida is an ok place to visit. I lived in Boca Raton and Tampa (while I was in school at USF) and Tampa is MUCH, MUCH better than Boca. Boca is one of the most superficial cities I have ever been in (I have yet to go to L.A.) If I had to go back, I would definitely go to the Tampa area...much more down to earth.

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chopper

Sure,sure...next you'll complain about hurricanes, wildfires, giant spiders, homicidal mosquitoes, yellow fever, tornadoes, shark attacks, venomous reptiles, hail storms, deadly fresh water microorganisms, alligators in the pool, crazy lightning kill ratio, low wages, illegal immigrants, and road rage shootings. Look man, it's always easy finding the ugly stuff, just remember... it's really, really warm in winter :p :p

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Tints. Dark. Blacker than the blackest black times infinity!!

I definitely want to tint, I am just nervous about putting additional tension/weight on my windows. I don't want to do anything that could risk busting the tabs....

Bart

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrzyFool

Tints. Dark. Blacker than the blackest black times infinity!!

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Bart,

Great job! I really like the looks! Any way to darken the headlights (at least during day time)? That would be a killer! Look at the pics in this thread:

Headlight covers

:thumbup: