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

[tightchevelle69]

Originally Posted by Miketebo22

I think im going to just sand ALL the silver off of my door and trim panels, then paint them body color (with taped off strip for abl) and re install. Think it will be ok?

i considered this myself, but how do you go about painting where the clips are that hold the trim pieces on the dash? i havent taken mine off yet so i can only guess by the pictures that they are attached with some type of plastic epoxy or something. if you can figure it out let me know. i would love to do it that way!

[Miketebo22]

i guess i never thought about the clips...damn! well maybe i can sand out some SS badges and paint those body color..or make them glow

[camarorick]

Originally Posted by Miketebo22

I think im going to just sand ALL the silver off of my door and trim panels, then paint them body color (with taped off strip for abl) and re install. Think it will be ok?

Originally Posted by tightchevelle69

i considered this myself, but how do you go about painting where the clips are that hold the trim pieces on the dash? i havent taken mine off yet so i can only guess by the pictures that they are attached with some type of plastic epoxy or something. if you can figure it out let me know. i would love to do it that way!

During my initial try at this ABL, I screwed up on the sanding, and needed to repaint. I actually painted the trim several times ( every time I painted it was super blotchy ), until I put a clear coat on first, and then before it was fully dry I applied the color. I STRONGLY recommend that you experiment with the small drivers trim before moving on to the passenger side, or the door inserts. Oh, and by the way, sanding all the paint off is a PITA ....

As for the clips, they are installed with a double faced tape (3M automotive tape ). To take the existing ones off, you'll need a lot of patients, and a one sided blade to separate the two. I began on one side, and slowly went to work. Once the two are separated, you'll need to find a rigid plastic scraper to remove all the old tape.

[tightchevelle69]

thanks for the tips rick! if i ever get the approval from the wife to pull them out of the car ill be sure to try getting the clips off first!

[d69chris]

read all the post,

Anyone do the IOM interior ABL lights?

blue pics look great, just wanting to see the orange. any reference to the orange el wire?

I think I have worked up the nerve to do this mod!

Thanks

[CleanCutCreations]

Originally Posted by FwyFlyer

It's a 2SS. I'd like to know if anyone with an 1SS or 1LT have had the speedo out and taken a look at that main harness....... it's gotta be there.

Any updates on this 1SS/1LT wire harness issue?

[TAG UR IT]

Well, I got my El Wire pack today....

Only took 3 weeks for it to come in. ............

Now, I just need to finish the panels and get it all installed.

Originally Posted by Miketebo22

I think im going to just sand ALL the silver off of my door and trim panels, then paint them body color (with taped off strip for abl) and re install. Think it will be ok?

WAIT. I need to talk to someone first.

I am VERY sure that there is a protective coating on the plastic for the paint. When you sand, you will sand off bits and pieces of the coating. It gives an area on the panel a look where it almost appears that the paint is OFF the plastic....like, not sticking. Well, it is....but the layer (or lack thereof) makes it look that way.

We sanded down my drivers side panel since it got messed up during paint. There was a "spot" about dime sized and elongated. After sanding, that spot GREW to about 4 inches by 6 inches. Waste of a panel. Again, let me talk to someone and I will find out if there is a coating or what. If so, you might have to do a LOT of sanding to get ALL of the protective coating off first.

Originally Posted by tightchevelle69

i considered this myself, but how do you go about painting where the clips are that hold the trim pieces on the dash? i havent taken mine off yet so i can only guess by the pictures that they are attached with some type of plastic epoxy or something. if you can figure it out let me know. i would love to do it that way!

Go to a local paint store. My place has all sorts of automotive tape and tape remover. THIS part is the easiest of ALL parts.

Originally Posted by CleanCutCreations

Any updates on this 1SS/1LT wire harness issue?

I am pretty sure that all cars are now NOT getting the ABL hook ups....not just 1SS, but 2SS as well...

Can someone with a new 2SS or 2LT check on this please? Easiest place it to look on the left fuse area.

[ThunderSS]

Originally Posted by d69chris

read all the post,

Anyone do the IOM interior ABL lights?

blue pics look great, just wanting to see the orange. any reference to the orange el wire?

I think I have worked up the nerve to do this mod!

Thanks

I have started, but havnt had time to finish.. did a few mock ups.. it looks good at night. but like what was said the top portion of the strip has to be sanded, and you have about a 1/4 inch top part of the color gone.. if you can live with that then your good to go.

You can kinda see it here. left side. the dark line on top is where I sanded..
notice the top part on the door is not.


Sorry I don't have any pics with the ELwire on.. the damn converter took a crap on me, I need to order a new one, and just haven't done it. Plus I am back in college(after a 15 year break LOL), and they are going to teach us how to solder, so I am going to wait till after that class.

[2010victoryredss_ron]

very nice work!!!

[skuttduck]

Originally Posted by CleanCutCreations

Any updates on this 1SS/1LT wire harness issue?

I have a few ideas, but I don't have a 1LT or 1SS to see.

I will tell you this, I checked every single pin on the 2LT that goes to the cluster and didn't find one. Though the green one on the far end seems to be digital data and makes an LED flicker. I did have some luck with one of the tan wires, but this was not consistent.

My next thought is what about the steering wheel? Do all make models of the camaro have lit up buttons in the steering wheel for cruise control? If so I'd look for that particular wire, and then run taps off of that.

P.S. the 2LT ambient light positive wire is purple in both locations.

[FRKNlo]

Originally Posted by d69chris

read all the post,

Anyone do the IOM interior ABL lights?

blue pics look great, just wanting to see the orange. any reference to the orange el wire?

I think I have worked up the nerve to do this mod!

Thanks

I too would like to see this.

[5THGENRS]

Props to you camarorick. I would love to have this done to mine, but there is no way i would start taking things apart on my brand new car. I can be creative but not that creative.

[TAG UR IT]

Well, I sanded down the entire left drivers side applique....all the blue paint is GONE. I have to start on the other one now... get them both polished back up and hit'em again. This time, I paint them.... I got the 3M tape and will get them back up...

On another note, I need to get some questions answered about a door panel.....I need some community help...and if I can't, this entire deal might be scrapped...

Once I get these panels done, in they go w/ the El Wire.

[TAG UR IT]

Well, here's the latest...