Weekends work: Clear corners and black grill

[Charlie]

Well, time to post my weekends work!

I started out with this...

I decided I needed clear corners, so I got to work. I saw a nice thread on here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87602
about turning stock corners into clear corners. Well, being stubborn as I am, I did not want to cut corners (heh heh)

So, despite the knowledge of people on this board, I decided to cook my headlights instead. So I fired up the oven to 220 degrees, and threw in my corners. Ten agonizing minutes later, I took them out. Except...they were all foggy. Well, after thinking about what I had done for awhile, I looked back over at them and they were back to their good ol' selves!!


I threw em back in the oven, for another ten minutes, and then took them out. Careful prying with the screwdriver allowed me to get them open. The reflectors popped out nice, and they went back in the oven. They didn't really "re-glue" so well, so once they were together I put some silicone sealant over the edge. When you look at it in person you cannot tell that there was any "funny business" with the lights.

After doing that, I decided to tape off my grill, remove it, and paint the center black. I am very happy with the results of both of these, and just thought I would share what it looks like now...

I am much happier with both, and the black grill breaks up the monotony of white in the front!

 

[Bill Kemp]

Looks really good. Grill & lights.
Always feels good to personalize your ride.

 

[aldive]

Your black grill looks great.

 

[Charlie]

I am debating about painting the wheels gloss black and putting the stock center caps on, but I am not sure yet. Any thoughts?

 

[jimbo74]

looks good

 

[FROADER]

I like the black grill much better.

Here is a quick look at your other idea.

 

[Charlie]

I've messed around with photoshop myself, but I just can't decide. It has been up in the air for awhile.

 

[Bmwz389]

It will look like a cop car =)

The local boys in my neighborhood drive older explorers, newer ones, impalas, chargers, corvettes, crown vics. Anything you don't want them to drive, they do lol.

 

[Turdle]

Looks good!
How in the world did you manage to get a mountaineer roof rack on an explorer?

 

[FlyBoyCoe]

Very nice! I like the new look of your grill, it really does break it up a bit better. Clean garage too! I've got black wheels on my truck with the original hub caps, I like how it looks. (excuse the goon in the sunroof)

 

[gomach1]

Looks good, i say go for the rims still, but thats my opinion, either way it looks fine

 

[Charlie]

Well, I am thinking I might as well go for it, and if I don't like it I can strip the paint off. Who knows when I will get the time to do it, but whenever I do, I will post pics.

 

[Paraphoe]

Looks sharp, nice work.

 

[gomach1]

Well, I am thinking I might as well go for it, and if I don't like it I can strip the paint off. Who knows when I will get the time to do it, but whenever I do, I will post pics.

well look forward to seeing it if you do. it took me a few hours and i was on the road again

 

[IAmTodd]

Truck looks good! I really like the grille. I've also considered painting my stock wheels black. Post some pics if you do.

 

[matt987]

mine has black rims too..

 

[Charlie]

mine has black rims too..

Are those the wheels that came on your X stock? I thought that style was only on rangers

 

[matt987]

nahh, i got them off of a crown vic. but they are the same exact kind of rims as on a rangers spair tire.. if its a 16inch rim..
my brother is a mechanic for a local sheriffs office.. lol
i also have strobes hidden behind the grille and in the rear tail lights..

 

[matt987]

by the way.. i love the grille man looks real clean.. did you just use a rattle can to paint it? or what?

 

[Charlie]

by the way.. i love the grille man looks real clean.. did you just use a rattle can to paint it? or what?

Yep, took it off, taped it, and sprayed. Its holding up great, and has been on freeway while raining a few times already. No complaints!

I sprayed it with 5 coats too, made sure it was strong and thick. It took quite a while with that many coats, but I think it was worth it. I am considering removing it and spraying it with a clear coat too, but I am not sure if that would help much. I used gloss paint, and it looks pretty good.