Well some might recognize the car from the Nationals. I blew it up on the way home and have been really depressed about it. But never-the-less I'm already building a new motor. Here are some pics with the Formula rims that I polished and new Fulda Z-rated tires, and a bunch of other new stuff on the car.

 

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I think it looks great. I got the same rims on my formula, what paint and polish did u use, i really want mine looking like urs. Also what kidna paint did u use to paint the silver trim in the interior? ALso how did u blow ur motor, were u racing it or what?

 

dude i'm lovin those tail lights. What did you do, paint em? they don't look much like covers to me... kinda have a flat look to 'em.

btw your whole car is really nice lookin

 

I'm VERY curious about the tails as well.....

 

i like the taillights also, but i think its just genral purpose black primer. do i get a gold star now?? :lala:

 

Not until ytou tell me if the tails are still fuctional like thaT or not...

 

Please read the rules.

That is why I deleted the other two images. Thanks.

Car looks good by the way, sorry to hear about the engine. What happened?

 

aw C'MON man! we're talkin about his tails!! why delete the tails pics!?

 

haha, indeed! I keep checking for updates, then POOF! *deleted*! lol!

 

i gno!

No4NJunk , can you email me the pic with the tails, i came back to save the pic, and it's gone!
steve_hodges@hotmail.com
i can host it off my website and post it up for you!

either that or replace one of the pics up top!

thanx!

 

Sorry guys, I just delete them based on the rules

 

i know, didn't wanna rag on you dude

just funny how it worked out, laf.

 

haha, please, do a repost of the tails in replacement for one of the others....!

 

And I even read the thread and saw the interest in the tails. Its late, I'm tired and it didn't even occur to me to save that one

 

*volunteers for mod job*

 

Remember- I can edit or delete that

 

lol, it's 3am here right now..if I wake up and the post then says "I dig big *****" I'll know who to blame. haha

 

sorry to hear about the motor man, but the rims look sweet! Definitely better than the other ones!

Are you still in the Rock Hill area for summer?

 

Sorry Metalli I didn't read the rules. Oh well, I'll just repost the pic if thats alright.

I used black interior paint on them but first I tore them apart and removed the vaccuformed grid on the inside. Then I sprayed the outside with very light coats of the black interior paint. They are definitely still functional and the tint did not dim the tails AT ALL. I was really amazed when I installed them and tested. Lights are still bright as hell.

As for the motor I collapsed a lifter on the way up to the show (ran low on oil). It was ticking like hell everywhere but I was confident that It would make it back. On the way home I floated a valve and ended up throwing a rod threw the oil pan. The valve floated causing the piston to slam it and bend the stem in the boss. It binded the spring so bad that it snapped in 3 places and broke the top of the valve stem completely off!! The piston just kept hitting the valve until it busted apart and the rod caught something and out the pan it went. So the pass head and the whole block are toast. Hopefully once I get some plastic I'll have the car up and running with any luck.

Chris, I'm still in rock hill. I have an apartment now so If you ever want to stop by your more than welcome. Just let me know.

 

Maverick, I wet sanded my rims by hand with 400, 800, 1000, 1500 grits. Then I took some mothers to them. I then masked them off and sprayed them with a silver wheel paint you can get at autozone. Then cleared just the painted areas while the masking was still there. The rims are disgusting in the picture. The car hasn't been washed since that trip so theres dirt all over them. They are extremely shiny when washed.

 

sorry. double post.

 

can you maybe let us know what kind of paint (specific) you used? also, how did you remove the grids? did they come off clean? I would like to remove mine for a project i have in mind.. but if it damages the clear plastic at all, i don't want to do it. give as many details as possible pls!!

 

Steve,
It will scratch the clear plastic because the black grid is vaccuformed inside. I used a razor blade (or 20) to remove it and some pliers. Once the paint is applied you won't see the scratches. I used the pliers and got a hold of a part of the grid and carefully pulled untill I could hear the grid seperating from the outer lense. Then I'd look on the outside to see what I needed to seperate next. After its all seperated I yanked huge sections out being carefull not to damage the perimeters. You can used the razor blades to cut away glue and scratches but be careful. I dragged the blade (like how you scratch a lottery ticket). This seemed to work the best at removing the glue like stuff. The only thing that doesn't look right for me is at night if your standing close to the lights you can see specs from the paint. I got over it once I stepped back a few feet though. Its really wild looking.

The paint I used is Dupli-color "Vinyl & Fabric". You can get it at any autozone and It comes in a bunch of different colors. I of course got black. Just dust the lens with light coats on the outside letting the paint dry after each "dusting". Only apply enough to turn them black. I picked them up every so often and held them to a window to evaluate how much light was getting through. I'll try and get some night shots If you would like.

 

i would like, so that is a "yes, please"

~Matt

 

Veru much so...also, while applying the brake in the day, too, if you wouldn't mind.

 

Man, that is one sweet color, love it on the firebirds....

My motor is on it's way out too.......

 

yes, night shots, please!

i think i'd prolly paint the inside... that way the outside could still be shiny, and i could polish it.

thanks for the advise anyway, i think i'll get to work on my moddin' soon, after my interior project. i'm not copying tho, don't worry... i've got my own tricks up my sleeve.

oh by the way, nice work on the wheels.

 

Wouldn't, eveni f you paint the inside, the OUTSIDE plastic is still red...?? I think you'd have to paint the outside..??


..and I fully intend to steal the idea.

 

the outer-most plastic is actually clear...


Thanks Redraif, for the pic.

So you could easily tint the inner-side of this plastic. The red part is actually on a different piece.

 

ooh!

Are standard Formula/Firebird tails the same..?? And that in mind, how do you keep the red brake lights red??

 

well tinting the clear plastic isn't gonna change the fact that the brake lights are red.. nothin will be changed there.

i've never opened up a formula light, so i can't help you there.

 

Ok, I just wasn't sure if the BULBS are red, or just the plastic...

 

the bulbs are clear, sitting in a chrome-painted reflection chamber.

next layer out is a red plastic (except for the reverse-lights, which has clear).

next layer out is the clear plastic (in da picture).

and thats it