iboost

iTrader: (16)

This is my first ever how to so bare with me. I've been looking for an easier way to change the color of all the lights on the inside of my car. And well...this is what I came up with. I got the idea from something I did in art class way back when...

Here is what you need:

Stain Glass Paint (Avalible at Wal-Mart's craft section for like $2)
Flat Tip Screw Driver
HVAC Unit



First you will take your flat tip screw driver and pry up on these tabs. There are 4 of them. 2 on top, 2 on the bottom.



Once you separate the face from it, this is what you will be left with...



Next you will push back on these tabs to get the board with the leds on them. I found it easier to get the board out by holding the HVAC controller upside down and doing this so it falls out into your lap or something.



Then open your paint from Wal-Mart...



It doesn't take much, but get some on your brush and tab it on the bulb. It will run, so don't use a ton. Your going to do this a few times. I did it 3 times.



This is what it looks like finished. I let it sit like 20 mins in between each coat. Make sure you wash off your brush in between coats also to keep it clean is stop it from drying up.



Then begin to reassemble...



Then reinstall...These finished pics don't do it justice. And sorry about the blurriness. Obviously the more coats the darker with any color.




And thats it. Thanks for looking and I hope this helps with anything. I've done the samething to all my interior switches too. Its much easier then attempting to resolder things

Black SS/SC 06

iTrader: (6)

Approved.

JayBoo

hmm I may give this a shot.

Collin's SS

i kinda like it, easyer then changing for leds.

i guess this will work for all dash and door lights ect.

XgunsmokeX

iTrader: (1)

nice mod. well done

stacy_dammit

iTrader: (1)

I did that to my HVAC with the ink of a Sharpie

doogie_13

iTrader: (1)

sub'd great idea! I will have to try this on my own!

iboost

iTrader: (16)

Exactly. I've done it to all my door switches too. I will be pulling my fog light button and traction control button later this week to do it to them also

Thanks for the compliments guys

MikeK

how do you get the the leds in your door switches to do this?

Roeder

wont the paint crack off from the heat of the filiment bulbs ?

BumbleBee

iTrader: (9)

^^ good question, but sweet how to. I will have to try this.

iboost

iTrader: (16)

Same exact way I did this. The lock switch is a single bulb with like a blueish filter that distributes the bulbs light. Take that off an paint the bulb then put the filter back on. As for the window switch its a blueish LED. Just dye the LED. Like I said, I did 3 coats and it came out great. Way better in person than in the photo.

I haven't had problems yet. Who knows... Only cost me like 2 bucks, so worse comes to worse I can always do it again. Not a hard mod


Also for the steering wheel controls, I didn't even wanna mess with them because they looked way more complicated so what I did was buy the steering wheel controls out of a Pontiac Solstice and they glow red too plus I retain all the functions

MikeK

I did this....and....the two leds in the center work...the two outer ones dont....w/e

iboost

iTrader: (16)

you might have to be careful not to short something out. Think this type of paint has water in it...

Roeder

lol true enough, i painted all the plastic on the back side of where the light comes through instead seemed to work pretty good

it looks so much better red tho doesnt it ?

one thing i dont get tho is why pontiac only made the gauges and steering wheel red and nothing else :S

Tricell0010

Can you post more pics?

05Blackss.sc

approved. i would suggest specific light bulb paint that you can get at lowes and home depot but im not sure what kinda colors it comes in.

iboost

iTrader: (16)

of what?

Bumblebalt

Let me ask, i see you had full access to the LED bulbs to paint them after taking the HVAC unit apart and remove that clear shroud. Was is actually required to removed the PCB board that the LEDs are on, or could you just paint them without removing the board?

iboost

iTrader: (16)

you can paint them without removing the board, lol. I actually don't know why I removed it

microgab

I know its a dead thread lol, but just wondering if someone knows where I can get replacement bulbs/LED? One of them is dead and I'd like to know exactly which one to buy that would fit easily without any other resistors or anything. The easier the better

Cobe

Pictures are not working! Please fix this

XgunsmokeX

iTrader: (1)

pics prolly wont work, thread is over 2 yrs old. lol

BoostedBeaner

For the love of God! It's two years old. OP is on the site 2.8% activity. Do you think broken links can easily be fixed?!?!

XgunsmokeX

iTrader: (1)

im sure he just deleted the pics, so i doubt links r broken