[chconline]

As some of you may have known, my rear quarter mount tail light cracked in January and I didn't have the time to replace it, so I just taped it and moved on with life. The rear quarter mount light costs $75 and a local used parts store, and there is no way I am paying that much money for one OEM light.



Anyways, it's summer (Kinda) now, and with a little more time on my hands, I went ahead and purchased a set of LED replacement lights for my Civic. I paid $195 for all four, and should be coming in in a few days. I am not sure about the reverse light, but the brake, flashers, etc are all LEDs, and I love the way LEDs look with their distinct on/off flashes



That's how it looks like. Actually, there are red ones, and knowing the chc who likes to keep everything as close as stock as possible, you might be surprised by my choice of lighting. A closer look indicates that they are the exact same thing, but costs an extra $40 -- and there is no way that I am going to pay an extra $40 for tail lights that are identical to its clear lens version. This is the thing I am going to work on -- getting them to be red from clear isn't hard; it's only hard the other way around

What I am going to purchase for this small project:

#1605 Testors Transparent Candy Apple Red Spray Enamel or Krylon stained glass spray paint, color code 9020
#1961 Model Master (Testor) Clear Gloss Finish Lacquer Overcoat Spray or equivalent Krylon clear coat

The tail lights should be here soon, and I'll be picking up the supplies to get the project started soon

[shift]

Looks to be an awesome little project

[shc-boomer]

Looks like a fun summer project, home to see these babies arrive at your door soon.

[TL6MT]

That looks like a fun mod project. Any pictures of those LEDs in action from other people that has installed it?

This post has been edited by TL6MT: 07 May 2010 - 04:46 PM

[chconline]

Yep, this guy on 8th Civic has a good installation tutorial and photos:

http://www.8thcivic....lights-diy.html



Should look almost identical to that, but he has the red kind. You have to admit, that looks PRETTY DARN CLOSE to stock.

[shc-boomer]

Yeah close to stock but then things change when you turn on the lights, but that is fine the LEDs look much better.

[chconline]

It does. The placement of lights are very different compared to stock. A bunch of LEDs form a strip at the outer edge for a curve when turned on, while the blinkers are in the middle of it. The brake lights lighten up the LED parking lights in addition to the trunk mount LEDs. The clear space where the stock light holds the reverse and blinkers are just reverse lights now. It's pretty cool.

[Big Bang]

Nice tail lights, and looks like a fun way to save 40 Dollars. I love the fact how you're keeping everything Stock (looking)

[chconline]

The lights should be here soon. Got to pick up the paint soon and it will be well under way.

[TL6MT]

So it is not organized like stock - still good enough to fool most people. The MMC Civics have amber turn signals so the bottom reverse light looks almost the same with clear reflectors.

[chconline]

That is correct. This one is a little cleaner so I like it. The same guy has a video posted up...

http://smg.photobuck...nt=MVI_0650.flv

I think mine will be here tomorrow but I need to pick up some spray paint.

[chconline]

Update: Paint is in. Michaels was a sure ripoff in spray paint when it comes to stained glass, but no one else carried similar clear paint so I had no choice but give them $17.34 CAD. (Really it's worth like $10 max) I almost paid $11.99 for the clear coat until I went to Canadian Tire and paid $3 for the can, lol.



Spent $21.55 on paint. Expensive but whatever, still beats paying $40.

[TL6MT]

$3 bucks for clear coat, is a pretty good deal. The stained glass paint is mighty expensive **** though... can't wait to see the final product!

[shc-boomer]

Did you go in using the 20% off a single item coupon?

[chconline]

No lol, didn't have one Whatever.



Disconnecting the center lights (trunk mount). Remove the trunk liner, remove 4 bolts, almost good to go.



A shot at the trunk.



Remove the center crossbar; 5 clips at the back (If I remember correctly) plus a bolt. There's a clip that holds the light in -- took me half an hour to figure that one out, haha. Now the lights can be removed. I'll talk about the side lights tomorrow since I didn't finish the project today.



The lights removed. I actually ran out of time on the paint/fitting (I messed up a light since the paint wasn't completely dry, have to redo it tomorrow, the 10 minute drying was a lie ) so I ended up clipping the OEM lights back in without actually connecting them or putting the side clips on. It's safe to drive without them since all the lights you legally need are on the quarter mounts anyway. I put them back on just in case it rains or the police harasses me.



Spray painting wooo



Yep. They don't look OEM red, but the darker tinted red looks awesome IMO.



All of them spray painted.

[redeemed]

Nice! This should be a guide in the APH Lounge.

[chconline]

lol nah this is not detailed enough

Anywho got up early this morning and got working.



To loosen the rear bumper, take four screws out from each side near the rear wheels.



Unbolt all the rear quarter mount.



Remove the Allen bolts and pull the rear bumper back. Clips at the bottom will hold it in place.



There is a screw underneath the lights, remove that. There are two plastic clips that digs into the bumper guide. The bolts on the guide is too tight to remove, so just use something and cut the plastic clips. You don't really need them anyway.



Lights installed.

I don't have fully finished pics yet since I scratched up a trunk mount yesterday, which needs to be repainted. I need to get some acetone to remove the paint, which will be done... soon.



But here's the side that's done.

[shc-boomer]

Very nice, almost looks 100% stock when not turned on! Good job!

[TL6MT]

Woah sexy - like the dark red matte finish. Post some night shots.

[chconline]