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Visual improvements (I hope)! *pics*

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Old May 24, 2011 | 06:40 PM
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Default Visual improvements (I hope)! *pics*

I finally got around to fixing my taillights.The prior owner sprayed them red, and there were flaws.




I removed the tails and began wiping them off with heavy duty paper towels soaked in paint thinner. After 20 minutes of work I had removed no more than a couple square inches of the red paint. After some deliberation I decided to try acetone. Acetone washed the paint off effortlessly. I was concerned about damaging the plastic of the taillight so I quickly rinsed with water after each application. Now my taillights are their beautiful stock selves again.

I also decided it was high time I did something with my emblems. The gold was very faded on the L up front:


And really I was tired of gold. I went to Ace and looked for some paint and couldn't find anything suitable. I then went to a hobby store next to the Ace and bought a can of gunmetal Tamiya model paint after taking the can out to my car to compare the cap to my wheels. It was a good match.

The grille is removed in this pic for modification.


So here is the before:


After paint removal:


With painted emblems:


My next project will be to open up the tails, paint the back black and make the chrome gunmetal. That should make it look nice and clean.

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Old May 24, 2011 | 06:43 PM
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looks good man

i persoanlly liked the emblems as they were(gold) but to each his own

the tails look much better

congrats
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Old May 24, 2011 | 06:49 PM
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What exact color did you use for the emblems? They look great! And man, those taillights were hideous before.
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Old May 24, 2011 | 06:57 PM
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Looks a lot better.
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Old May 24, 2011 | 07:03 PM
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How u removed ur grill without taking out the bumper?
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Old May 24, 2011 | 07:16 PM
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I have always liked the Gunmetal. Looks alot better than stock gold. Gold is so outdated.
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Old May 24, 2011 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by scottys209
What exact color did you use for the emblems? They look great! And man, those taillights were hideous before.
Tamiya brand model paint. The exact name of the color is "gunmetal"
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Old May 24, 2011 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by horent135
How u removed ur grill without taking out the bumper?
That's easy 3 screws
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Old May 24, 2011 | 08:01 PM
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looks soo much better
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Old May 24, 2011 | 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by horent135
How u removed ur grill without taking out the bumper?
My buddy removed it, I'm not sure I could have done it with my meaty hands and sausage fingers. He opened up the engine bay, and reached inside to remove the 3 bolts that hold it on. There is also a clip that must be released, then you can pull the grille forward and out.
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Old May 24, 2011 | 08:03 PM
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Muchhh better man, good to see someone taking the rite steps in re storing there SC
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Old May 24, 2011 | 08:16 PM
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That looks much better.
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Old May 24, 2011 | 08:40 PM
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Looks great!
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Old May 24, 2011 | 09:22 PM
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i appreciate this type of work. just restoring a car to look more up to date an cleaner.
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Old May 24, 2011 | 09:53 PM
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Your front headlights look brand spankin new...
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