Inexpensive cosmetic modifications

13422 Views 31 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Toastedforte, Sep 6, 2017

Falcon1986

Discussion Starter · Jun 29, 2013

So you guys have been inspiring with all your cool mods. Unfortunately, for me, I really can't do the expensive stuff right now, but wouldn't mind doing a few DIY things especially if they are minor cosmetic mods. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the stock sedan:

And here is my Photoshopped edits (glossy black vinyl roof and side mirrors, headlight accents, window tints):

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Falcon1986

Discussion Starter · #21 · Aug 19, 2013

Very neat and clean!

I'm assuming if I want it to be gloss black I have to also get the glossifier, right?

Additionally, did you cover the honeycomb portion or just spray the entire grille?

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s.f.c.hooligan

· #22 · Aug 19, 2013

Falcon1986 said:
Very neat and clean!

I'm assuming if I want it to be gloss black I have to also get the glossifier, right?

Additionally, did you cover the honeycomb portion or just spray the entire grille?

the satin matches the oem black perfectly so i just sprayed away lol. but if you go gloss yes need glossifier and i would spray away(no masking) so it all matches. if you need it off a good stiff bottlebrush and some time spent scrubbing will get it out of the actual grill area(mesh). its durable but a good scrub with a brush will defeat it if desired. i have pressure washed mine several times and its holding up perfectly. i wash with a microfiber mitt and scrub lightly. i just soak any bugs good while i wash so they come off easy. and no issues with water spotting like the chrome:BashHead:

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Falcon1986

Discussion Starter · #23 · Aug 19, 2013

Great! Thanks for all the tips. Looking forward to trying this sometime soon.

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zephyrusaurai

· #24 · Aug 19, 2013

If you want to see some cheap mods...take a look at my old car. Cosmetic mods minus tint and wheels were around 250. Gloss black roof, oem sharkfin, rear spoiler, custom front lip, had ez lip side skirts (in the wreck picture).

http://www.forteforums.com/forums/sedan-body-kits-appearance/24769-havent-updated-year-custom-lip.html

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s.f.c.hooligan

· #25 · Aug 19, 2013

im thinking about the antenna and roof at same time sooner or later(since its easiest to wrap roof sans antenna)..what lip did you have? looks kinda nice!

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zephyrusaurai

· #26 · Aug 19, 2013

s.f.c.hooligan said:
im thinking about the antenna and roof at same time sooner or later(since its easiest to wrap roof sans antenna)..what lip did you have? looks kinda nice!

Antenna is a bitch to do. Gotta cut and resolver everything. I'm going to try to take mine off the car tomorrow morning. Lip is an sti lip from 06

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s.f.c.hooligan

· #27 · Aug 19, 2013

i thought i remembered asking ya about the fitment process a while ago. i still have not decided on what im doing there. i like em and they are cheap but there are some i like that fit right on just cost more lol. yeah not to excited about pulling my headliner yet. wiring is no biggie to me though. i found a sharkfin off a local gen coup thats being parted. only $20 and he pulled and delivered it to my work woo hoo. i have to fit the sat stuff so it will be a project when all said and done. i just have not convinced myself to do the roof black at least..wanna be a lil different i think. im gonna do it myself and i wanna practice on some other stuff to get the hang of vinyl.

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zephyrusaurai

· #28 · Aug 19, 2013

s.f.c.hooligan said:
i thought i remembered asking ya about the fitment process a while ago. i still have not decided on what im doing there. i like em and they are cheap but there are some i like that fit right on just cost more lol. yeah not to excited about pulling my headliner yet. wiring is no biggie to me though. i found a sharkfin off a local gen coup thats being parted. only $20 and he pulled and delivered it to my work woo hoo. i have to fit the sat stuff so it will be a project when all said and done. i just have not convinced myself to do the roof black at least..wanna be a lil different i think. im gonna do it myself and i wanna practice on some other stuff to get the hang of vinyl.

Haha trust me it;'s mad easy to do the front lip. I'll walk ya through it if you want. Also I'll walk you through making the antenna and pulling the headliner. Antenna requires the whole internals to be moved over to the sharkfin. No messing with the sat stuff at all. My first vinyl wrap was on my car and actually came out real good....get a buddy to help you otherwise a solo wrap is just a pain. I'm on my 5th of 6th roof wrap on the forte and they're not too bad at all.

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Falcon1986

Discussion Starter · #29 · Mar 16, 2014

I don't know why I'm just seeing these posts now. LOL! Like the lip. Actually, that is looking like a good alternative for a body kit.

BTW, already got the vinyl for the roof. Have to get a free day to install. Awaiting the black Plasti Dip.

In the meantime, I was playing around with new wheels. Really like the Cadenza OEM wheels. Tried to see what Discount Tire had that was similar. And of course, it looks better lowered.

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Falcon1986

Discussion Starter · #30 · Apr 20, 2014

I finally got around to Plasti-dipping the grille with flat black dip. I was surprised at how easy it was. The only part that presented a challenge was actually detaching the grille from the front bumper. Got a few scrapes, but they were all worth it.

I put on about 5 light coats in total, making sure not to spray too close, and separated each coat with 30 minutes of drying time. After the last coat I just left it in the sunlight for 1-2 hours, then re-attached to the front bumper. I hope it holds up to the weather. Recently noticed that my red stripes are fading so might be pulling them off altogether.

And this is what I made last week...