Why spend $20+ for a pair of turn signal or side turn signal bulbs when DIY is cheaper?



Tools:

• Silver Spray Paint
• Box
• Scissors
• Amber bulbs to paint

Instructions:

1. Using scissors make a hole (or slot) on the box to fit the bulbs on.
2. Clean bulbs (don't use anything too harsh-- the amber is painted on)
3. Spray bulbs with 1 or 2 light coats. Let dry completely before handling

After (PY21W)


(194NA or WY3W)


Disclaimer
Anytime you add a coating to a bulb-- it's going to be dimmer.

P.S. I've done this already to my car for turn signals and it's been 4+ years and still good.

 

Personally I've found whenever I've seen this done it is a lot dimmer than the equivelant "proper" chromed bulbs. For me, paying the bit extra to have the extra light output is worth it.

 

I did it lightly, 9 months ago. I put just enough on that it looked silver from about 2 ft away, so when it's underneath a lens there wasn't any color showing through, but there also wasn't any noticeable amount of light blocked, I'm really happy witht he way it turned out and must confess it drives me nuts seeing MINIs that don't have it done as the front turnsignals then look like and afterthought instead of integrated design.

I also used some model paint left overs and just held the bulb over a newspaper.

 

can we (I) see em on the car? thanks.

 

if the side turn signal covers are translucent white, won't the silvercoated bulbs, when turned on, look white but dimmer, but still white?

 

The side ones are actually orange bulbs

 

I'd would have done it right away, however my digital camera is at my parent's house several states away

 

Before:

After:

 

Motor,

Now seeing the difference, it's a minor mod that really does make the front cleaner looking.

Looks that's going to be my Mod of the week.

 

Just did the mod today...here's a pic of the drivers side turn signal...

 

Looks great, You're realy makingime want to go out in the rain and wash my MINI, good placement of the flag.

I'm debating doing the side makers this afternoon. hmmmm

 

I decided to go this route with the side lights.

 

Great mod idea!!!

I just did mine. It took me 15 minutes. I did all of them.

Cheapest mod and it makes a very nice difference.

Pics are on their way.

 

The pics of the final product:

Front with turn signals on:


Front :


Rear with turn signals on:


Rear:

 

Motor_on, That picture is awesome!! The effect is simply amazing.

How did you do it?

 

I got the udea from a photo Tuls posted, Tripod and 2 phots with exact same exposure settings and placement and then a few layers of copies getting everything perfectly lined up and balanced right. It took about a 1/2 hour in PS. I like it cause most people don't notice the effect right away

Edit:I'll be doing the remaining ones later this week I have a little bit more planned for them, along the lines of what Ords posted but not completely.

 

Thanks for the tips!!

I'll sure try this.

 

Dark,

Excellent changes and it blends so well with your color scheme.

 

Thanks!

On your black MCS, it is really nice too .

Special thanks to One-D for that DIY!!

 

hey, i thought i was the first one that posted about this DIY silver
painting bulbs here at NAM!!!

not that i came up with the idea.... some poor civic dood posted this up
some time ago and i tried it out. and it works great!

 

Hope the honda guy didn't do this as well
Before:

After:

 

^^ kewl! i should try that next time. dumb question... how do you
remove that assembly from the panel?

 

Nice look indeed.

Seeing TBP wet reminds me it's wash time this weekend.

 

There's a daytime photo.

To remove the housing there is a cirliar tab on the end opposite the light you need to oush that toward you the pull toward the front of the car and out to get the tab by the light off. I read many descriptions of how to remove it and they all seemed useless as I struggled for a few minutes with the 1st one, #2 came off in about 20 seconds.

 

^^ thanks for the tip. I looked at my 03's side markers and they
appear pretty white in factory form.