Tail Light Trim

[DaddysT]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Wonder if something like this would work if the right size could be located?

https://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/-p-...4goaArgZ8P8HAQ

or


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-For-Nissan-X-Trail-Rogue-2014-2015-Chrome-Door-Speaker-Sound-cover-trim-ring/321799045036?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkpa rms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3 D20150313114020%26meid%3Df7c0466b47ce489aac2772fbe 558df3c%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D 181511371095

or



http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NMX7...Mini-Cooper--S

[steelblue5505]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Guy & Phil to answer your questions:

The 1/8 inch flexible chrome trim is a Cowles product. It is almost round, it has a flat side or edge to it. This edge is where the 2 sided adhesive is placed by the manufacturer. The adhesive has a pull off protective membrane.

I point this out because it is this flat side that makes it so easy to adhere to the trim to the taillight right on the line that is molded into the taillight. When looking at the taillight you will see the line I'm mentioning.

The outer most ring molded into the tail light that I followed and covered with the trim makes the trim pretty close to 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the taillight. Tough to be exact on this because the taillight has a rounded edge.

To answer to how to keep the trim piece round & from getting a kink or two, the key word is to work slowly and to start at the top center of the taillight.
Here's how. Cut a piece of trim about an inch, inch-n-half longer than what is needed to go around the taillight. At the center of this piece split and peel back about an inch of the adhesive protective membrane and attach the trim to the light lens exactly where you want it. This than leaves the remainder of the trim hanging down on the sides of center. Now slowly peel a little more of the membrane and continue to attach the trim to the lens slowly following the line in the lens.
When both sides are all the way around to the center on the bottom of the lens attach one side & trim the other to give you a nice smooth even seam.
And you are done. Key words is WORK SLOWLY.

A couple of hints: Be certain the taillight lens are clean from any dirt or wax.
Warm up the trim pieces with a hair dryer, this will increase their flexibility.
BUT do NOT warm it to much because you can easily cause it to lengthen if pulled & then it will shrink when cooled. Plus too much heat screws up the adhesive.
If you have a short step stool or chair to sit on while working it is easier than trying to do this on your knees.

[Guest]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Thanks for the information and installation tips Mike!

Yours turned out great. Looks like it would take time and patience to get a proper installation. About how long did it take you? And what was the cost of the moulding?

[Guest]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Wonder if something like this would work if the right size could be located?

https://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/-p-...4goaArgZ8P8HAQ

or


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-For-Nissan-X-Trail-Rogue-2014-2015-Chrome-Door-Speaker-Sound-cover-trim-ring/321799045036?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkpa rms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3 D20150313114020%26meid%3Df7c0466b47ce489aac2772fbe 558df3c%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D 181511371095

or



http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NMX7...Mini-Cooper--S

Good suggestions Keith. Thanks for posting.

Any of these would probably work, IF they are the correct diameter for the Thunderbird tail light. I suppose you could get the dimensions from the suppliers.

[GUYS04]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Thanks Mike, you did a great job!!!

[DaddysT]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Good suggestions Keith. Thanks for posting.

Any of these would probably work, IF they are the correct diameter for the Thunderbird tail light. I suppose you could get the dimensions from the suppliers.

My car is away in storage for the winter so I can't get proper measurements to see what will work.

[DaddysT]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Good suggestions Keith. Thanks for posting.

Any of these would probably work, IF they are the correct diameter for the Thunderbird tail light. I suppose you could get the dimensions from the suppliers.

My car is already away in storage for the winter so I can't get proper measurements to start looking for a possible ring that would work. If someone wants to give me the measurements that would work I don't mind doing some checking with various items.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Phill
Thanks for the kind words.
I have seen the product priced as low as $18.00 & as high as $23.00 at stores likek O'Reilys, AutoZone & Pep Boys. This is for the 1/8 inch Custom Chrome Accessorizing Molding made by Cowles. The number is S37780. This product comes package in a 20ft. roll.

Yep that's a lot of trim molding but the Retro like most cars today cries out for a little brightening here & there, especially inside the cabin.

The packaging looks like this.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Just a footnote: Back in 2005 I was in contact with the Foose organization and was told they were going to offer the rings as an aftermarket. Contacted them 6 months later and was told the project was off the board and would not be available.

I have a pic of this mod on Vintage Merlot in my gallery that was taken in 2004. It was my first mod. I removed the mod a few weeks later it seemed too drastic for me..

[GUYS04]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Just a footnote: Back in 2005 I was in contact with the Foose organization and was told they were going to offer the rings as an aftermarket. Contacted them 6 months later and was told the project was off the board and would not be available.

I have a pic of this mod on Vintage Merlot in my gallery that was taken in 2004. It was my first mod. I removed the mod a few weeks later it seemed too drastic for me..

Roger, I checked out your gallery pic with the trim rings. The more I see it the more I like it! I guess they are long gone but I'd love to have a set them.
Guy

[Sandy J]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Me Tooooooooooooo

[Rondor]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Another idea;;;; A sign shop with a Gerber vinyl cutting graphics machine can get chrome
vinyl in 12 inch wide rolls and cut any design perfectly with their graphic machine. I know a guy who has one and will look into what it would cost. Unfortunately there would be considerable material waste, but still very feasible. The ring or rings, and logo would all come together on transfer tape making the application very easy.

[Guest]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Seems like there are two basic styles:

1. 'Raised' trim using the flexible chrome moulding, molded plastic or metal.

2. 'Flat' style using tape as Ron suggested above or a thin stainless steel as used on other exterior trim accessories.

What's the preference among those that have posted here?

[GUYS04]

Re: Tail Light Trim

The raised,,,, all the way!!!

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Tail Light Trim

Roger, I checked out your gallery pic with the trim rings. The more I see it the more I like it! I guess they are long gone but I'd love to have a set them.
Guy

Guy
See Mikes post #17 above. At the time I did my mod the only size chrome trim was 1/4". The only note I have to add to post 17 method is that I started at the center bottom of the light so the joint could be more concealed and I made the trim just a bit longer than the space and compressed it to the joining end. This way the joint is nearly invisible and there is allowance for shrinkage in colder weather.