3rd Brake Light overlay
 

I purchased the bonneville 3rd brake light overlay from Grafxwerks and was wondering if anyone had any tips before i attempt to do this? I got the 2 stage decals. 1 black then the metallic silver decal to match the color of the car. Any tips would be greatly appreciated as i don't want to screw it up or am i making more out of this than there is? :lol:
Deb

Its knda tight up there against the spoiler, first trim off as much waste as you can on the top of the decal. Dry fit a few times to get the feel of laying it. You'll want to apply it top down to get it align properly, use a damp soft rag to work out any bubbles.

Actually the instructions that came with it suggest to take the brake light right out of the car to apply it to the lens. I was gonna try it the way PontiacDad suggested, but thought maybe it would come off after a few washes.

Baileyjack
Let me know how it turns out. I ordered one two nights ago.

I've had mine on all winter and several car wash's and its as good as new. To remove the light requires removing the trunk lid liner and maybe even the spoiler?

Yeah Removing the liner and the spoiler scare me so i think i'll try it your way PontiacDad.
I'm gonna do it tomorrow so i'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks

I bought my 3rd brake light overlay last year from Vinzdecals online. It really adds a nice touch. What did you have printed, "Bonneville", or "Pontiac"?

I think I was the first to do this and have not had any problems with many washes, rain, and snow (few hail storms, some sunny days, power outtages, meteor strikes etc..).

I didnt take the light out of the trunk, just stuck it on. You may want to wipe the lens down with alcohol first to clean it off real well.

Yup, thats who I got mine from, thanks I couldnt remember the other day when someone pm'd me :wink:

I went with the bonneville decal as i see too many pontiac ones..... :) I bought mine from GrafxWerks was here in 2 days

Thought I'd put this pic up for general measure. My photo skills not very good though.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i.../360058_18.jpg

I've taken this photo before too and it always looks like yours. Must be the up' angle or something?

Baileyjack
My decal came last night. The install looks straight forward but removing the trunk liner could be messy. Does anyone know if I need to replace the plastic pins that hold the trunk roof liner in place once I remove them? Also does anyone know the bulb type that is in the third brake light?

No, they are meant to be re-used. You shouldn't have to do all that dis-assembly of the trunk liner & brake light.

Thanks Mark:
I will try and tackle the job next weekend. We have a trip to PA planned this weekend to attend a wedding.

Its just like a window decal. Peel off the backing, line it up and stick it on. Then you peel off the top layer and your done. 5 Minute install :)

Rogue:
The instruction sheet that comes with the decal says to remove the lamp because the decal will overlap the lens thus when the lamp is reinstalled the car body will form a seal over the decal. I think I will look at the actual size of the decal tonight and see if it is bigger than the lens. If it is not you are correct and it is a 5 min install. Thanks for the heads up.

OK, your overlay decal is from a different manufacturer, then maybe you do have to remove that 3rd light. :oops: The overlay decals from Vinzdecals don't require removal of 3rd light,and just apply directly to the lens.

The decal is form Grafxwerks and I will have to remove the third light as the decal is considerably bigger than the lens. I look forward to the challenge. My biggest problem will be to pop out the plastic retainers that attach the sound deadening shield to the underside of the trunk lid. Does anyone know if there is a special tool for this or do I use a small putty knife? I figure the larger blade on the putty knife will not damage the retainer as much as a screwdriver.

There is a fastner removal tool that looks like a flat bladed screw driver with a notch cut out (kinda like the nail puller of a framers hammer).

Wrap tape around the blade of the tool to prevent scratching. The fastners just push back in when re-installing the cover.

Thanks PDad, I have one of those tools and will give it a try.

Sorry for not getting back to you guys sooner. The overlay is kinda big. I traced over the 3rd brake light on the car then cut it out and cut the decals to the traced piece, then stuck them on. You guys were right they won't be coming off anytime soon :lol: I did mess up though :oops: I forgot to sand down the # and letters on the lens so it is raised a bit, but other than that looks good. Gonna replace it but i'm going to wait till the guy makes me up a couple of SLE door badge overlays. Have a look at my cardomain, page 2, last picture.
95SLE DON'T FORGET TO SAND THE LENS.......... :lol:
Deb

Baileyjack
Thanks for the heads up on the sanding.

I didnt sand mine. Worked fine (little raised at the top) but you can tell unless your right up on it.

Hey yours is silver like the car....too cool. Mine is black and my font is different.

I made one in work in white to match my color.we have a plotter that makes office name plates using white vinyl. I put PONTIAC on it. I kept it on for a couple of weeks then removed it. I liked how it looked in daylight but didnt at night with the brakes on.
just looked like a glaring white brake light.maybe black would look better.
I gotta get a digy and cardomian site one of these days.

I've posted this before...but here is a recap...

http://www.rogue-cavern.net/pics/3rdlight/DSC03313.JPG
http://www.rogue-cavern.net/pics/3rdlight/DSC03314.JPG
http://www.rogue-cavern.net/pics/3rdlight/DSC03320.JPG

I tried to put the decal on this morning and I failed. I was never able to line up the 2 stage decal so it looked acceptable to me. I even took the light off of the trunk and sanded down the raised letters but I did not have an easy time with the project. At least it was not an expensive project.

Does anyone know where I can buy a decent single stage decal?

Sorry to hear that :( I think PontiacDad knows where to get a 1 stage decal you should PM him.

Already located one at http://www.vinzdecals.com/3rdbrake.html

Maybe i am too old to see but when trying to align up the colored overlay I could not see through the opaque decal paper to properly align the red outer decal with the black inner decal. At least the next one will be easy to install. I sent away for four of the decal color samples to try and get an attractive match to the exterior color of the car.

I bought mine from Vinzdecals and thought the same thing about color match. But to simplify the whole thing, I just ordered a black overlay. I think it looks just fine, but that's me. It is very inconspicuous the fact that it's black especially at night. :)

Installed the Vinz Decal tonight. Took this picture when there was still light outside.

http://home.comcast.net/~twsykes/wsb...7/site1016.JPG

Looks Great :)