DIY - ABL using EL wire, and 3/16" tube - Page 5 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

camarorick · 10-20-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kga10734

Got mine done, but I still need to go back and glue the tube in place and do the fine sanding to the trim pieces. At least I have it working so far. Once I get the dash fine tuned, I'll start working on the doors. I may go ahead and put El wire in the doors as well.

The sanding is a bitch, but trying to get the El wire down the tubes is worse unless you had a trick to do it.

It could be that there were internal burrs on the tube after you cut it ? If I recall correctly, you ordered the 2.5mm wire too. I know the tube here in Canada can accommodate 2.5mm wire easily, maybe the U.S. aquarium industry uses a thicker wall

I don't think there's an issue with spraying a little lube before you insert

camarorick · 10-20-2009, 08:29 AM

Here's a comparison of the two sanding methods, this should convince everyone to take their time

sugar'n'spice · 10-20-2009, 08:30 AM

wrek · 10-20-2009, 09:03 AM

I figured out where I'll put some extra footage of wire to compensate... GLOVE BOX. It needs a light... maybe I'll run a few inches of it back to the arm rest storage area also.

wrek · 10-20-2009, 09:04 AM

Oh and why can't we just use a paint remover or oven cleaner to remove that bead of paint instead of all the tedious sanding? I haven't looked or tried yet but isn't the plastic smooth/glossy under the paint?

camarorick · 10-20-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrek

I figured out where I'll put some extra footage of wire to compensate... GLOVE BOX. It needs a light... maybe I'll run a few inches of it back to the arm rest storage area also.

As long as the footage of wire is in spec of the driver, you should be okay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrek

Oh and why can't we just use a paint remover or oven cleaner to remove that bead of paint instead of all the tedious sanding? I haven't looked or tried yet but isn't the plastic smooth/glossy under the paint?

DO NOT TRY ANY SOLVENTS ON THE PLASTIC..... You'll probably FUBAR the trim, besides, How are you going to give it a straight line.

The plastic is smooth under the paint, but as your sanding, that smooth/glossiness disapears..... I actually sprayed a clear coat on the trim after I sanded to see what it would look like, and it looked absolutely amazing with the EL light off..... I then put the EL light on, and it didn't look too nice. The sanded part of the trim NEEDS to have a "MAT" finish for the light to diffuse properly

.

*TAG UR IT* · 10-20-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarorick

Here's a comparison of the two sanding methods, this should convince everyone to take their time

EXACTLY!!!

I'm looking for who sells the touch up paint now. It's called graphite silver according to my GM guy. My plan is to re-tape the backside on the edge (opposite where the tape actually was when I started to sand), and repaint. That way, I'll get that perfect line.

I really can't believe I screwed it up....It was late. I was tired. I figured I could just take shortcuts. Not smart to do on this mod.

Just follow the directions and do it RIGHT!

TJ91 · 10-20-2009, 03:25 PM

Tag, lmao you butchered that panel hahaha

Hopefully the touch up should work fine....btw your light looks bright as hell and a really thick strip. Looks great, just got to fix it up a bit

TJ91 · 10-20-2009, 03:26 PM

Hey rick, you did a GREAT job on that line...did the tape work that well?

camarorick · 10-20-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

Hey rick, you did a GREAT job on that line...did the tape work that well?

Sure did, and that's because I took my time

third1 · 10-20-2009, 08:25 PM

I started to sand on mine (IOM) It was very noticeable, I'm not sure I want to see that line during the day.Is the silver very noticeable when sanded ?

*TAG UR IT* · 10-21-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

Tag, lmao you butchered that panel hahaha

Hopefully the touch up should work fine....btw your light looks bright as hell and a really thick strip. Looks great, just got to fix it up a bit

That's what happens when you try to take shortcuts and use a dremmel tool.

Won't happen again! Yeah...the light is bright. And, I'm thinking of widening the door lights as well. THINKING....

BTW, I completely fixed the driver side insert today. It looks GREAT. NOTHING like the passenger side.

Dax1592 · 10-21-2009, 02:10 AM

anybody know what size plug fits the power source plug that came on the car,,,,Model number, size, anything?

wrek · 10-21-2009, 08:09 AM

Good question. Item #2 on the photo in the original post is a little vague. What plug and where can we get one?

10-20-2009, 08:29 AM	#58
camarorick Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: . Posts: 2,166	Here's a comparison of the two sanding methods, this should convince everyone to take their time Last edited by camarorick; 04-10-2013 at 10:56 AM.

10-20-2009, 08:25 PM	#67
third1 speed freak Drives: 2015i Cadillac Escalade,10 IOM 2ss Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Neenah Wi Posts: 1,143 View My Garage	I started to sand on mine (IOM) It was very noticeable, I'm not sure I want to see that line during the day.Is the silver very noticeable when sanded ? __________________ Current:2015i Cadilac Escalade,2016 Lexus RC350,2011 CVO StreetGlide cammed,tuned & loud. 2010 IMO/IO,custom stripes,GFX,sunrf,solo exhaust,JBA shorties,rotofab,Jannetty tune,Pfadt,JLw6 Audison&Hertz,7/4/09 2GIFKIEJ6A9123779Del 7/10/09 Former Camaros 72 LT1 Z28, 86 z28 [SIGPIC]

10-20-2009, 08:30 AM	#59
sugar'n'spice Drives: . Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: . Posts: 18,978

10-20-2009, 09:03 AM	#60
wrek 2G1FK1EJ6-9 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Transformer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 661 View My Garage	I figured out where I'll put some extra footage of wire to compensate... GLOVE BOX. It needs a light... maybe I'll run a few inches of it back to the arm rest storage area also.

10-20-2009, 09:04 AM	#61
wrek 2G1FK1EJ6-9 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Transformer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 661 View My Garage	Oh and why can't we just use a paint remover or oven cleaner to remove that bead of paint instead of all the tedious sanding? I haven't looked or tried yet but isn't the plastic smooth/glossy under the paint?

10-20-2009, 03:25 PM	#64
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,035	Tag, lmao you butchered that panel hahaha Hopefully the touch up should work fine....btw your light looks bright as hell and a really thick strip. Looks great, just got to fix it up a bit

10-20-2009, 03:26 PM	#65
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,035	Hey rick, you did a GREAT job on that line...did the tape work that well?

10-21-2009, 02:10 AM	#69
Dax1592 Drives: 2SS inferno orange/blk rally Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: san antonio Posts: 46	anybody know what size plug fits the power source plug that came on the car,,,,Model number, size, anything?

10-21-2009, 08:09 AM	#70
wrek 2G1FK1EJ6-9 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Transformer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 661 View My Garage	Good question. Item #2 on the photo in the original post is a little vague. What plug and where can we get one?