Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Ouch, my fingers are sore from prying off all the emblems on my new truck. The "SIERRA" and "GMC" on the tailgate were a bitch to clean up after, they leave a ton of black industrial grade foam tape behind. Had to use some "sticker shock" and rub the remains for over an hour after I pulled the emblems off.

Result? Looks MUCH cleaner back there. I hate most emblems on cars, and removing them makes the vehicle look more "custom" to me.

I also pulled off the "SLE" emblems that were behind my X-cab windows. Those came off very easy, no mess at all. I stuck one of them on my dashboard on the blank panel above my airbag on/off switch. Looks factory haha.

The most difficult task yesterday was painting the red "GMC" emblem inserts on my grill. I removed the chrome GMC emblem (just some snaps to push from the backside) and took about an hour to carefully pry the red reflective inserts out of it without damaging the plastic chrome background. They are held on by a white RTV, so heating them up does nothing to help. It was a pain in the ***! I actually got the "G" and "C" off okay, but the "M" was a pain in the *** and I busted it into 3 pieces when I pryed it too hard (using a knife to get them started). Since it would be painted over anyways, I just superglued the pieces back together.

Once out, I sanded the surface of the red plastic inserts a bit. Then used some black primer (1 solid coat). Picked up some color matching spray paint at the auto parts store and put three coats of Storm Gray Metallic on them. Also bought some rtv-based emblem adhesive to restick the inserts back into the chrome background when I was done.

Looks KILLER! No more red GMC, just a body-color matching storm gray one with the chrome background. It almost looks good enough not to need a new grill <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> . Nah, it will look better surrounded my the Denali grill I plan on getting haha.

I'll get some pictures of the truck up shortly. Its got Greg's wheels on it, dropped 2", emblems shaved, and the cool "NineBall Custom" GMC emblem <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Tony

really slow truck

damn tony, moving right along on that truck <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

man, i think the "FREE" apperance MODS are gonna catch up and pass the free performance mods on these things if you guys keep this up, not complaining about that one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> my truck is still bone stock on the outside except exhaust and tires <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Oh yeah, I also shortened the stock exhaust tip about 3 inches and welded on a nice stainless Gibson exhaust tip to clean it up.

Tony

RandyZ71

Thanks for the tips... I am assuming the process would be much the same on my Z. I am thinking about getting a black decal custom cut to cover the goldish cover bowtie on my grill and match the rest of the truck. I figure if I don't like it, I can always peel it off.

Trevor @ Texas Speed & Perf.

iTrader: (3)

Well, you and Kristi are neck and neck. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> You two are making me look bad since I've had my truck since October '01 and have managed to tint the windows and add the K&N FIPK. <img border="0" alt="[hail]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" /> I bet the GMC on the front looks AWESOME now! It has to look sharp w/ the new wheels and lowered 2" w/ the storm gray metallic! bling bling

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

Hey Randy, a black bowtie looks tough, I've seen a few locally on black trucks. Easiest way to do this would be to pull that bowtie out (comes out from behind) and just paint it gloss black. Also, they sell those polished aluminum ones that replace the gold one, those look sharp also.

As for us GMC guys, we have a billet "GMC" available, but it doesn't look right to me from pictures I've seen.

Trevor, you slacker! haha

Tony

GREGGO

iTrader: (2)

The Bowtie comes out from the front. The stock bowtie has two clips. All you have to do to to remove it is pop off the shroud over the radiator and pry it off. Then install the new one with an 8mm socket. At least that's how simple mine was.

RandyZ71

Thanks for the info...

I'll post pics when I get it painted

GREGGO

iTrader: (2)

Tony, let's see some pics of the UPDATED trucks. I got my new wheels today and let me tell you, the 285/50/18's are borderline to much.They actually stick out about 1/4" past the front wells, but tastfully not "steamroller" style. I will post pics when the weather clears up.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

I need a digital camera. The one I have is a piece of ****, so I usually take pics at MTI on the weekends with their camera.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

Bling Bling huh Greg? hehe

Tony