DIY - ABL using EL wire, and 3/16" tube

[Elu]

Originally Posted by camarorick

The paint that's used on the trim seems to be water based, so if you use anything with solvents, you will have the trim paint lift/bubble. I know this, because I had to repaint the entire trim after trying to mist the sanded part.

The other issue is that the EL wire has a limited brightness, so doing this will practically nullify the light effect.... Although, I hear they might have a higher intensity wire available ...... This might be a viable option if you're using the other ABL methods.

Good point... so a light misting is out unless a water base paint can be obtained, can you get water based paint in a spray can? Geeze, that would have been a disaster. Thanks for the heads up. So if the water based paint was somehow translucent it might work. I guess that's the key. Some experimentation is in order.

[scythezo6]

Any updates on this missing plug? I get my car tomorrow and plan on doing this early January. I'm will to open up my panels to see if the plug is there. Car was made 11/23/09

[coolcamaroZ28]

I too would like to see if anyone had found the missing plug (mine was built in November). I definately want to do this mod and was ready to order the parts when I saw this thread and went to check and found no plug...

[skuttduck]

Originally Posted by coolcamaroZ28

I too would like to see if anyone had found the missing plug (mine was built in November). I definately want to do this mod and was ready to order the parts when I saw this thread and went to check and found no plug...

I'd be more than happy to pull the gauges off of anyone's camaro around here if it is a 1lt, 1ss, or LS

All you need is a firm grip and a torx bit for the screw driver.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40652

[TAG UR IT]

ok...switching over to this method. Going to order the parts later.

[FwyFlyer]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

ok...switching over to this method. Going to order the parts later.

Hey Tag!
OK I have to ask........ why? To compare both methods? Did you not like the results with the Digi key? How did the painting go?

[TAG UR IT]

Oh, I've got something in store for the painting....hehe

First, on the paint, the ONLY way to fix or touch up the back paint now is to take the pieces in to a paint shop and have them match the color...since GM does not yet sell the "graphite silver metallic" yet. That is going to be a pain.

But, we got something working for paint. It's taking a while since I'm tearing down the dash pieces to completely clear. And, I'm trying to do this with solvents to keep the plastic looking good...but NOTHING seems to want to take the paint off....WTF???

The digi key tubes don't emit light at a 360 degree angle. The stick will light, but will only emit a BRIGHT light coming out of the stick at about a 25 degree angle. So, you have to twist the tube in such a manner that the light from the tube shines out of the sanded area on the applique. That can be done....with minimal difficulty...but it gets to be a pain since the edge of the right side won't bend as well with the applique. The light tube tends to not fit towards the end of the right side by the passenger door. I can't seem to get the applique (insert) back on there properly and it sticks out a bit. It's just driving me mad looking at the applique that does not fit and isn't lighted the same as the rest of the dash.

So, I am going to take out the digi-key light tubes. I am going to use reflective tape to go behind the entire backing of the applique and dash...creating a mirrored like finish in the open area behind the applique. I'm going to superglue the aquarium tube to the applique and when the 360 light emits from the el wire, it'll come out through the freshly painted backing just fine.

After looking at this method, it appears to be less invasive to the dash and also appears that light will come out properly....not to mention the applique will fit properly in the dash.

[King Mouse]

Tag,

Plastic can be sanded and buffed back up to a high gloss finish just like paint. You might have to go this route to get the paint off of your inserts.

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by King Mouse

Tag,

Plastic can be sanded and buffed back up to a high gloss finish just like paint. You might have to go this route to get the paint off of your inserts.

Yeah...I did that for the original two dash pieces. It took forever, but I got it done. Since it was such a pain, I'm shooting for a new method...to strip the paint w/out having to sand, sand, sand.

I do have 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit 3M sand paper ready to go should I need. But, I'd MUCH rather not! How would you buff it back to clear?...maybe some of that headlight refinish stuff?...Meguires scratch X compound type stuff? I wonder if that headlight stuff used to take off the yellowing coating would work...

What can I say....I'm always looking for new, innovative, and "easier" ways of doing this stuff...lol

Here's what I ordered today. I have some other plans...and PRAY I can get them all done. This whole El Wire and soldering stuff is new to me. So, I'm going to give it a go...hope it works.

10 2.2mm Blue-Green Polar Bright El Wire
4050-BLGR 0.99 $USD 9.90
12 2.2mm White Polar Bright El Wire
4050-WH 0.99 $USD 11.88
2 EZ-Connection Splitters for EL Wire
EZ-Connection type:4 way splitter (add 1.50)
4084-4087 2.99 $USD 5.98
2 Female 6" Connector
4082 1.75 $USD 3.50
7 Male 6" Connector
4080 1.75 $USD 12.25
1 Tiny 12 Volt Constant light & Flash Inverter (0-4ft)
4031 4.99 $USD 4.99
1 12 Volt Constant & Flash Inverter 4-8ft
4032 5.99 $USD 5.99
Sub Total $USD 54.49
Shipping/Handling $USD 15.00
Total $USD 69.49

[camarorick]

Tag, wet sanding is your friend

when I repainted my two dash appliqués, and my one door panel ( tried the ABL extension on the door, and did NOT like the results), I used 400 grit wet paper to remove the paint, then when all the paint was gone, I used 800 wet to smooth it out..... finished up with 1000 wet. I strongly recommend putting a clear coat before applying your color ( it seems that painting color directly the clear acrylic is problematic.... The paint dries too quickly, and then it cracks ) Be sure to put a few light coats of clear, and let it dry. You might need to do a final 1000 wet on the new clear ( be careful not to remove the clear ).

[TAG UR IT]

Roger that. I went out to Petsmart today and picked up 3 of the 3/16th's 40" tubes. I then went to Home Depot for a soldering kit and 20' of clear flex tube. Going to need that for the white El Wire I'm going to install.

Rick...basically, you connect the plug into the pre-existing jack to the car. On that plug, you run it to the power source for the lights. From the power source, you add in the splitters for however many lights you are going to run, correct? And from there, you just solder in the wires? So, you could actually end up running multiple strands (depending on length) from one 4-8ft source? You could potentially run up to 8 strands off the source up to a foot in length?

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Roger that. I went out to Petsmart today and picked up 3 of the 3/16th's 40" tubes. I then went to Home Depot for a soldering kit and 20' of clear flex tube. Going to need that for the white El Wire I'm going to install.

20' of flex tube.... hmmmmm...Looking forward to seeing what your doing ?

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Rick...basically, you connect the plug into the pre-existing jack to the car. On that plug, you run it to the power source for the lights. From the power source, you add in the splitters for however many lights you are going to run, correct? And from there, you just solder in the wires? So, you could actually end up running multiple strands (depending on length) from one 4-8ft source? You could potentially run up to 8 strands off the source up to a foot in length?

Correct That's the great thing about these splitters, you can hook up as many lines as you want ( as long as you stay within the limits of the driver ).

[FwyFlyer]

Originally Posted by camarorick

Here it is folks.... a complete guide on ABL installation using EL wire, and aquarium 3/16" diameter tube.

Rickray, and myself completed this yesterday.... we had a great time doing this, while our wives went shopping

See the attached photos ( with comments ) that should answer most, if not all your questions.

-How to solder EL wire:

In that EL wire solder video he mentions/shows "copper tape" to solder the fine corona wires to, where did you get this stuff?

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by FwyFlyer

In that EL wire solder video he mentions/shows "copper tape" to solder the fine corona wires to, where did you get this stuff?

Try this video.... This one doesn't use the copper tape.... Same results