has anyone tried cutting chrome civic lights yet?

ninjajim4 · Post by **ninjajim4** » February 17th, 2005, 2:06 pm

from what i've read, everyone thinks all the cutting will jack up the chrome layer.

has anyone been successful in this?? any knowledgable people confident that it can be done without excessive hardship?

MarkMoore · Post by **MarkMoore** » February 17th, 2005, 4:16 pm

it's a roll of the dice if you ask me... i think in all probability it would mess up the chrome layering... at least w/ my experiences, when you cut plastic w/ a chrome layering on top of it, the chrome tends more times than not to flake off, and after that you're pretty much stuck w/ buying a new set of lights or having dumb looking lights. now, maybe i've just not yet been introduced to the technique of succesfully cutting chromed plastic, i don't know. i would think there would have to be some way of at least minimizing your chances of flaking the chrome, but you won't find the answer w/ me.
Anyway, most people don't like the chrome lights as opposed to the black ones anyway.... to my knowledge, no one has done it successfully. but then again, if you really really wanted the chrome lights, you always have the option of not touching the light at all. just be prepared to hack up both your fender and bumper to make it fit. and it might look just a bit oversized.

ninjajim4 · Post by **ninjajim4** » February 17th, 2005, 5:49 pm

yea i can totally envision it flaking away at the edges of the cuts and look like crap. what a bummer.

but ive seen some chrome plated plastics that seem like the chrome is better adhered. how about chrome spray paint, do they make any that looks as good as the original?

i think i'm going to get chrome altezzas, so i'd like the headlights to match. i bet a lot of you are cringing right now

the way i see it, yea all the newer cars these days have em; thats why i want em, to make my car look new. plenty of other cars have tailights like our stock ones-- all the older ones

DJsMX-3 · Post by **DJsMX-3** » February 18th, 2005, 3:54 am

Well if youre going to try anyways why not do as with other fragile things where you want a nice cut..

Put tape ontop mark the line you'd like to cut, and cut "thats normally enough"

Now because the chrome probertly would flake of of the plastic quite easy, i would start by cutting along the line first with a sharp stanleyknife to seperate the chrome in the cut with the least stress, then you can cut and file your way up to the cut without risking flaking of the chrome on the other side of the knifecut...

Instead of the whole process beeing nervewrecking, you would only have to take it slow and be really carefull when getting close to the knifecut

Not saying thats the way, but its the safest as i see it..
And if all goes wrong you can get chromepaint but the painted parts need to be really smooth and dustfree for a good result..

93SOHC · Post by **93SOHC** » February 18th, 2005, 1:47 pm

For how cheaply made most of the aftermarket lights are, its gonna chip and yer gonna get pissed. I guess you could paint the inside of the housing w/ chrome paint though that will look quite gay

ninjajim4 · Post by **ninjajim4** » February 18th, 2005, 2:25 pm

93SOHC wrote:For how cheaply made most of the aftermarket lights are, its gonna chip and yer gonna get pissed. I guess you could paint the inside of the housing w/ chrome paint though that will look quite gay

really? wouldnt look like original? theres gotta be a decent chrome paint out there.. i mean.. what do the part makers use??

MarkMoore · Post by **MarkMoore** » February 18th, 2005, 2:30 pm

there's a chroming process manufacturers use.... in fact, there was a thread posted not to long ago on mx-3.com, probably in appearance, so use the search function... like i said, the thread wasn't too old, maybe a month

93SOHC · Post by **93SOHC** » February 18th, 2005, 2:58 pm

MarkMoore wrote:there's a chroming process manufacturers use.... in fact, there was a thread posted not to long ago on mx-3.com, probably in appearance, so use the search function... like i said, the thread wasn't too old, maybe a month

Yeah I forgot to mention that. But for all that work... It depends on what ya like I guess

ninjajim4 · Post by **ninjajim4** » February 18th, 2005, 3:47 pm

'process'... i dont like the sound of that already

i'll have a look. how about clear coating the chrome prior to cutting so it all doesnt flake off?

MarkMoore · Post by **MarkMoore** » February 19th, 2005, 12:25 am

ninjajim4 wrote:'process'... i dont like the sound of that already

i'll have a look. how about clear coating the chrome prior to cutting so it all doesnt flake off?

hmmm i still would have my doubts.... but everything i'm saying is my own speculation... whether or not its right remains to be seen....

there ya go...
http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=37843

mx almere · Post by **mx almere** » February 21st, 2005, 1:03 am

Actually I want to try this too. I just like te young car look the chrome ones are going to give. As I see it only one cut has to be made in the chrome, that is in the corner like this:

I am hoping the chrome will survive that.

hgallegos915 · Post by **hgallegos915** » February 21st, 2005, 4:41 am

there is no need to cut the corner...just cut the inner fender..everyone thinks its a big deal but you are only cutting like 1.5 inches of the inner frame not the fender itself.

http://www.geocities.com/c00l.geo/mx3frontbumper.JPG
thats the final product..altough mine needs cleaning LOL

mx almere · Post by **mx almere** » February 22nd, 2005, 1:15 am

So it should be possible to install them without cutting the chrome part. I will give it a try as soon as it stops freezing for a weekend.

ninjajim4 · Post by **ninjajim4** » February 23rd, 2005, 12:41 pm

keep me posted guys! i'll give it a go myself, but all my money's going into the new rims fund for now...