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Upgraded HID and Dechrome

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Old 11-30-2010, 07:11 PM
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Default Upgraded HID and Dechrome

Sorry for the delay in posting this but I've taken on a new job and.................. well you know the rest.

* So I had the dreaded melted headlight bulb connector and Jag don’t sell these separately: You can see from the image that the connector has melted, despite some saying this does not happen.




So I thought this was a great opportunity to upgrade the bulbs to 6000K HIDS.




I also wanted to get rid of that fried egg look and used these silver chrome bulbs (compared against the stock).




As I was doing this it was a great opportunity to get rid of that dreaded chrome look on the bumpers. Here is the before shot:



The new headlight bulbs are fitted and the chrome inserts and side indicators (repeaters), and front grill have also been sprayed. I think it makes such a huge difference. Before spraying the repeaters (indicators) I sanded the lettering of off the lens for a cleaner look. This was done front and back.





I also replace the indicator behind the front wheel area:



Some subtle mods that really update the car (in my opinion). The bumper removal and headlight/indicator bulb change would only take about 2 hours (max) if that were all you were doing. It took me the whole weekend as I was waiting for the paint to dry on the chrome. The Side indicators took 5 min to change, very easy.
 
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Old 11-30-2010, 10:02 PM
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Looking goood. How did you paint the chrome parts? did you have to sand first and then spray? I want to do this, but dont want the paint to chip down the line.
 
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Old 11-30-2010, 11:05 PM
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Good work.

Hoped you scuffed it up and used adhesion promoter (or a good etching primer) - otherwise it will chip like hell on the grille and front of the bumper pieces. I've painted lots of chrome over the years and the only thing that has worked for me on grilles is Plastidip paint.
 
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Old 12-01-2010, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dalecan
I abraded the surfaces to be painted then applied an adhesive promoter, then primer then paint then lacquer. I got all the paints and tack cloths from these guys: automotivetouchup.com.

If I were to do it again I would try to find a vinyl with the same color as all the materials cost about $150 (for both front and rear; I did a lot of coats).

The paint hasn't started to chip (yet) and I did this in the summer.

I'm still thinking about the rear (plinth) jag sign on the rear.
Good man. If your name is Dale, your username is confirmed
 
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Old 12-01-2010, 10:16 AM
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I abraded the surfaces to be painted then applied an adhesive promoter, then primer then paint then lacquer. I got all the paints and tack cloths from these guys: automotivetouchup.com.

If I were to do it again I would try to find a vinyl with the same color as all the materials cost about $150 (for both front and rear; I did a lot of coats).

The paint hasn't started to chip (yet) and I did this in the summer.

I'm still thinking about the rear (plinth) jag sign on the rear.
 
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Old 12-01-2010, 10:56 AM
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excellent job dalecan....
You now have a "Sport" version near as dammit....lol
The de chromed look is so much better IMO and the clear side repeaters really lifts the car ( I did this on my 02 some time ago as well )
The HID's will make a big difference lighting wise as well.
Thanks for sharing
 
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Old 12-01-2010, 06:01 PM
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Nice, I gotta get me some of those smoked clear lens' for mine. Do they make them for the marker lights on the bumper too?
 
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Old 12-01-2010, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by sidewalkman
Nice, I gotta get me some of those smoked clear lens' for mine. Do they make them for the marker lights on the bumper too?
I got my pair of smoke marker lights from ebay... and I still haven't been able to find a replacement for the awful orange marker lights on the bumper
 
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Old 12-01-2010, 07:14 PM
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Looks good I really like the clear/chrome bulb on the turn signal bulb
 
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Old 12-02-2010, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by JagXType620
I got my pair of smoke marker lights from ebay... and I still haven't been able to find a replacement for the awful orange marker lights on the bumper
I'm looking at your car, you gotta keep it, it is gorgeous. But yeah, Exexpat did the colored delete on those lights but with my socialist insurance company they look for reasons to find fault so if I don't have them I can actually get pulled over. Nobody likes the orange so there must be replacement smoked lenses.

EDIT: Found on ebay some smoked front signal marker replacements: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jagua...item1c17436724
 

Last edited by sidewalkman; 12-02-2010 at 11:19 AM. Reason: found some lenses
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Old 12-02-2010, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JagXType620
I got my pair of smoke marker lights from ebay... and I still haven't been able to find a replacement for the awful orange marker lights on the bumper

No replacement for the bumper indicators, and I searched for ages.
 
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