Ok, I have finally finished upgrading the rear of my car. Nothing flashy, but something that makes people look at the car and feel like there is something different, yet be unable to really figure it out unless they know the car very well.

Before:


After:


Curious to see what others think of this. I know it isn't high dollar. But, sometimes it is the small details that bring things out.

 

it looks like you did a very nice job.
Me, personally, I prefer the before. But that's what the idea of customization is all about! Make it the way you like it! And I agree: it's the little details that make people do a double (or triple) take trying to figure out what's different, that makes a car unique.

 

Looks good...nice job.

 

Very nice, I like how you left Jaguar all chrome...

 

Cool!..Did you do the front the same way?

 

so will you tell us how ya did it?
Did you paint the chrome? It looks like you also treated / painted? the lower valance, where the back-up sensors are mounted?
tell us how you did all that?

 

How come your number plate has changed?

 

I think its awesome!! I remember when you first said you were going to do this I liked the idea and now I know I have to do this for my X. I dont really want to de-badge it, but yours looks so good that way. Great job!

 

Yes, the front is done the same way. The only thing left chrome up there is the leaper. I will admit that I am still looking to pull the chrome strip off the side (above the windows) and paint that to complete the look 100% (with the tint job I am planning, should really make it stand out).

As for how I did it, the lower part was fairly simple. I pulled the bumper off (the fastener behind the nav drive is a PITA) and then removed the corner chrome pieces (5 snap clips on each side) and then removed the black plastic housing the backup sensors (more clips that need to be undone and 2 bolts towards the center of the car). Removing the backup sensor wiring was the hardest part. The clips are put in a spot that is not easy to access. I found using a small flat bladed screw driver could be used to release the locking tab and then the plug can be undone. From there, you can undo the two tabs holding the back up sensors in place (make sure to push the sensors through the hole outside to inside, don't pull on the sensor, trust me, I'm now $80 lighter, also of note, the center sensors are different than the outside ones, keep track of which ones go where).

As for the lower backup plastic, I cleaned it and then shot it with some plastic prep and then shot a coat of color and then a coat of clear. Very easy, just like any other piece being painted. The corner pieces I sanded with 400 grit sand paper and then put a coat of plastic prep on them, then a coat of color and then some clear. As for the piece above the license plate, that is a little more tricky. Clean and then sand, but, make sure not to sand around the corner of the lettering.I actually stopped about 1/8" before the lettering. From there, apply a coat of plastic prep over everything (including the lettering). Now, with the piece on a level surface, point the lettering straight up and fill the lettering with Elmer's White Glue, putting in enough glue to make it bubble over the letter (but not enough that it starts running everywhere). Let the glue dry (trim the glue if necessary to get a nice edge using a sharp razor blade). Apply a coat of color and while the color layer is still wet, use the razor blade to peel out the glue. I used a fine tipped paintbrush to touch up the color to ensure a nice edge. Once the color layer is dry, shoot 100% in clear.

Paint wise, I have used about 3/4 of a pint of plastic prep, 1 pint of color, and 3/4 pint of clear. This is for the whole project (front and rear). I probably have about $40 in paint. Make sure to have some wet/dry 400 grit sandpaper handy. This will help ensure a nice flat paint surface.

 

he did not answer it so i guess i will, the first pic is a temp tag and the second pic is the real plate. looks good. how about some pics of the front?

 

Here are pics of the front. The only parts that were painted were the corner chrome pieces and the chrome surround of the grille. So, the front is the sport look. The rear is a modified version of the sport look.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4028/7BA8026F3E9E419BAA3196273C6CF6E7.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/4028/D0E9B93D66E64BB58F15C54E1EC81FC4.jpg[/IMG]

 

If you're happy no problem

 

Looks great! It's much easier to focus on the X's elegant body lines without the distraction of chrome blades, plinth, and grille. Chrome is played-out IMO.[8D]

 

1 note, next time you take pics,, makes sure your wearing pants for the reflection in the rear bumper
jk, someones going back to ck now,......
looks good for the Euro look, and I know Virginia is not only for lovers, but pain in the A laws as well, like tint, lights etc...so I guess blacking out the lights would be a no no huh? And what no visable radar detector too...

 

Hi Thermo, i have a 02 sport that is all blacked out, is yours a sport model?

 

Paul, no, mine is not the sports model. I like the looks of the sport model. So, that is what gave me the basis for what I did. But, I also took the sport model look and took it a bit further.

Brutal, yeah, the laws are silly around here, but are also hardly enforced (only seem to be enforced once they pull you over for something else). I am looking to tint the windows with 20% and then I am also looking at tinting the rear tail lights, converting the backup light to an additional stop light, and then moving the backup lights to the backup sensor piece. So, we'll see. Lots of ideas. Need to see where I am moving too in a year and see how that might factor into things.

 

Hi Thermo, the only differance is your chrome lettering of jaguar on the boot lid. mine is all blacked out except for the leaper. and i have totaly blacked out windows, limo black, i,v been stopped a few times for that but never got a ticket.

 

Looks good!