89HatchbackLxi
07-31-2011, 02:26 PM
After seeing the How To for the 3geez 3rd brake light cutout, I was inspired to do a bit of a mini project on my hatch's 3rd brake light.
What you need:
A Printer
Paper (card stock or thicker will work better than regular printer paper)
An X-acto Blade
Black Paint (Flat or matte will look best)
Packaging Tape
Double-Sided Tape
Optional:
A Flashlight will be helpful (one that is as bright or brighter than your brake light)
Electrical Tape (to block any possible edges where light may leak through after putting the cutout over the brake light. )
Using MIK3's idea and original 3Geez cut out template (which can be found here http://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38232), I designed a new "HONDA" cutout template using the Honda lettering.
Use this image:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/Cutout.jpg
(Make sure you printed the image out at the correct size before proceeding on to the next steps!)
I printed this out on card stock in hopes that it might be thick enough to not let any light through the paper. Unfortunately, this was not so, and light shines through the paper only slightly less than standard printer paper.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/firstpic.jpg
After you print it, cut out everything as patiently and as best as you can using an X-acto blade. This is somewhat tedious, because Honda uses a smooth font rather than one with completely straight lines.
To do this the easiest way possible (and preventing things from accidentally sliding) cut out things in the following order: inside of all the hollow letters(O, D, & A), then the letters, then cutout the brake light last. Cut outside of the gray border, as this is your cutting guide. It will be painted over later and won't remain visible.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/precutout.jpg
Since you probably don't want a totally ghetto looking cutout, the best thing to do is to put a coat or two (or more depending on how thick of paper you used) of black spray paint on the cut out. I did both sides using flat black spray paint just to make sure I got everything thoroughly. (You will probably want to leave the letters in when you paint it, that way the hollow letter pieces will be painted as well.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/wetpaint.jpg
I let it dry overnight before continuing to make sure it was completely dry so that the next step would work without a problem. (I'd recommend waiting at least 2 hours if you don't want to dry it overnight.)
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/drypaint.jpg
After it is dry, take a flashlight (or another bright light source) and hold it under the cut out. Check to see if any light shines through. If not, great! Go on to the next step. If it does, you are gonna want to put another coat of paint on, then check again after it drys to see if any light still shines through.
Curious how to get the middle pieces of the hollow letters to stay in place when you put the cut out over the light? My solution was to makeshift laminate the entire cut out. Take a long strip of clear packaging tape, a little longer than the length of the cut out (the width should already be a little larger than the cut out as well) and place the tape sticky side up on a flat surface. Next place the cut out WITHOUT the letters in it, directly onto the tape. Center it as best you can before applying it to the tape so you don't mess up and have to start all over. Use the x-acto knife to carefully spear the hollow letter pieces onto the tape where they belong. When you are done, get another piece of packaging tape and seal the open side of the with it. Use the X-acto knife to cut the extra tape around the edges. Press it together well so everything is secure, then take a brief moment to admire how awesome this cut out will look on your 3rd brake light while you hold the finished product to the light source above you. Don't worry about the lines in the letters caused by the tape strips touching, you won't be able to see that when the brake lights.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/clearfinish.jpg
Remove the 3rd brake light plastic box from your vehicle. I have a hatchback with lift supports which did not feel like supporting anything on this particular day, so, I had a somewhat difficult time removing the screws from the brake light. After removing the brake light, I took this opportunity to clean the brake light. I applied 2 strips of double sided tape across the reverse side of the cut out one above and below the Honda lettering. If the brake light reflector is clean, the double sided tape should stick to it without a problem. Center the cutout on the brake light before applying any pressure to it. If you notice any gaps along the edges (such as the gaps in the out of focus photo below) the easiest way to fill them is to put just the smallest strip of black electrical tape over the areas that is just enough to cover it so no extra light shines through.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/lightleak.jpg
After you apply the cut out to the brake light and get all the gaps filled (if there were any) put the 3rd brake light back and tighten the screws back in.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/installednolight.jpg
Finally, test it out!
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/brakelight-final.jpg
It was the worst possible photo taking weather when I took the final result photo so it appears super dim, however I'll be sure to post another photo later this evening. :)
Note: I got the idea from 3Geez member "MIK3"s how to thread, I am not trying to take any credit for the idea, this is just an alternative detailed and noobsafe 3rd Brake Light Cut-out How To Guide.
What you need:
A Printer
Paper (card stock or thicker will work better than regular printer paper)
An X-acto Blade
Black Paint (Flat or matte will look best)
Packaging Tape
Double-Sided Tape
Optional:
A Flashlight will be helpful (one that is as bright or brighter than your brake light)
Electrical Tape (to block any possible edges where light may leak through after putting the cutout over the brake light. )
Using MIK3's idea and original 3Geez cut out template (which can be found here http://www.3geez.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38232), I designed a new "HONDA" cutout template using the Honda lettering.
Use this image:
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/Cutout.jpg
(Make sure you printed the image out at the correct size before proceeding on to the next steps!)
I printed this out on card stock in hopes that it might be thick enough to not let any light through the paper. Unfortunately, this was not so, and light shines through the paper only slightly less than standard printer paper.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/firstpic.jpg
After you print it, cut out everything as patiently and as best as you can using an X-acto blade. This is somewhat tedious, because Honda uses a smooth font rather than one with completely straight lines.
To do this the easiest way possible (and preventing things from accidentally sliding) cut out things in the following order: inside of all the hollow letters(O, D, & A), then the letters, then cutout the brake light last. Cut outside of the gray border, as this is your cutting guide. It will be painted over later and won't remain visible.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/precutout.jpg
Since you probably don't want a totally ghetto looking cutout, the best thing to do is to put a coat or two (or more depending on how thick of paper you used) of black spray paint on the cut out. I did both sides using flat black spray paint just to make sure I got everything thoroughly. (You will probably want to leave the letters in when you paint it, that way the hollow letter pieces will be painted as well.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/wetpaint.jpg
I let it dry overnight before continuing to make sure it was completely dry so that the next step would work without a problem. (I'd recommend waiting at least 2 hours if you don't want to dry it overnight.)
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/drypaint.jpg
After it is dry, take a flashlight (or another bright light source) and hold it under the cut out. Check to see if any light shines through. If not, great! Go on to the next step. If it does, you are gonna want to put another coat of paint on, then check again after it drys to see if any light still shines through.
Curious how to get the middle pieces of the hollow letters to stay in place when you put the cut out over the light? My solution was to makeshift laminate the entire cut out. Take a long strip of clear packaging tape, a little longer than the length of the cut out (the width should already be a little larger than the cut out as well) and place the tape sticky side up on a flat surface. Next place the cut out WITHOUT the letters in it, directly onto the tape. Center it as best you can before applying it to the tape so you don't mess up and have to start all over. Use the x-acto knife to carefully spear the hollow letter pieces onto the tape where they belong. When you are done, get another piece of packaging tape and seal the open side of the with it. Use the X-acto knife to cut the extra tape around the edges. Press it together well so everything is secure, then take a brief moment to admire how awesome this cut out will look on your 3rd brake light while you hold the finished product to the light source above you. Don't worry about the lines in the letters caused by the tape strips touching, you won't be able to see that when the brake lights.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/clearfinish.jpg
Remove the 3rd brake light plastic box from your vehicle. I have a hatchback with lift supports which did not feel like supporting anything on this particular day, so, I had a somewhat difficult time removing the screws from the brake light. After removing the brake light, I took this opportunity to clean the brake light. I applied 2 strips of double sided tape across the reverse side of the cut out one above and below the Honda lettering. If the brake light reflector is clean, the double sided tape should stick to it without a problem. Center the cutout on the brake light before applying any pressure to it. If you notice any gaps along the edges (such as the gaps in the out of focus photo below) the easiest way to fill them is to put just the smallest strip of black electrical tape over the areas that is just enough to cover it so no extra light shines through.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/lightleak.jpg
After you apply the cut out to the brake light and get all the gaps filled (if there were any) put the 3rd brake light back and tighten the screws back in.
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/installednolight.jpg
Finally, test it out!
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k554/Spartan_TK51/3geez/brakelight-final.jpg
It was the worst possible photo taking weather when I took the final result photo so it appears super dim, however I'll be sure to post another photo later this evening. :)
Note: I got the idea from 3Geez member "MIK3"s how to thread, I am not trying to take any credit for the idea, this is just an alternative detailed and noobsafe 3rd Brake Light Cut-out How To Guide.