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General discussions about the Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix. New members, introduce yourself here!
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netmatt
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:18 am

New Member

Post by netmatt »

Hey all,

I got a 2006 Pontiac Vibe (pic below) here in Atlanta a few years back for my daughter. Won it is a silent auction by $1.50 more than the next guy :D It's got 97,000 miles on it now, and she took my Camry to college, so I am driving it, and getting it ready for my son. Cleaned it up good, but I would like to add a few things to make it look a little "cooler" for him ;) I am going to grab some red (or black) updates for the logos, since they are pink from grafwerks.

I was thinking about getting a Bug/Hood and Rain/Window deflectors, but I can't find a pic of a similar silver vibe with them to see how it would look?

Also, the grill is quite faded...can I just tape and paint that?

Any other things that aren't too costly that can give it a little more something...?

Image

Thanks!
Matt
Last edited by netmatt on Mon Aug 19, 2019 10:25 am, edited 2 times in total.
zbyers
Posts: 1775
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:12 pm
Location: Sheffield, Pennsylvania

Re: New Member

Post by zbyers »

That is a nice steal, quite literally! haha. Welcome to the group. Looks like a GT? Bonus points for adding a pic!

For the window vent visors, there are options as cheap as $20 on eBay. I prefer the Weathertech ones though. They're the only in-channel option for our cars, looks sleeker, and also come all the way down to the side mirror, preventing the blowing rain from coming into the cabin.

As for the bug guard, go with whatever option you can find for the cheapest. Those all attach identically, using a few push pins into the underside of the hood.

I do not have a pic of any silver Vibes with those attached, but they do look clean with them. You can see my 2007 Stealth with both in these pics. I have others, but these were the quickest to find.

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'74 Thing, '79 El Camino, '83 VW DoKa '91 Vanagon, '03 Base, 04 GT
'06 CRV, '06 AWD, '07 Base, '12 Highlander Limited, '17 Frontier CCLB

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netmatt
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:18 am

Re: New Member

Post by netmatt »

OK, updated with actual image of my car, versus generic, since you gave me points :)

Definitely not a GT! I also had just cleaned those headlights 2 years back and they yellowed right back up. $180 for new headlight assemblies, ouch. Not sure that in the budget right now.

Thanks for the deflector tips. I gotta get some new wiper blades, as well.
netmatt
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:18 am

Re: New Member

Post by netmatt »

I ordered the deflectors and some new wiper blades. There are two 2005 Vibes at a Pull-a-Part south of me, so I may drop by and see if I can get a new Dash bezel around the radio, since mine got a crack putting in a new head unit a few years back. Will post back after deflectors are on...

Those grafwerks logo's are $25...shipping for for two 3 inch stickers is $12...hmmm. Gonna shop for alternative methods, before I do that.
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vibrologist
Posts: 1598
Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 8:24 am
Location: Iowa

Re: New Member

Post by vibrologist »

Welcome to the forum, netmatt!
Looks great, all I would do are the headlights and maybe alloy wheels.
Vibrologist
'05 Vibe

"It is important to know the difference between 'accurate' and 'precise' even if you are neither!"

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tpollauf
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Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:37 am
Location: Toledo/Oregon, Port Clinton Ohio
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Re: New Member

Post by tpollauf »

Welcome to GenVibe ! On the headlight issue, changing them out requires you to drop the bumper :x . You may damage/lose clips doing that. Just polish them out every six months maximum and live with it. My 2004 Vibe GT, along with almost every other car of said age, has this similar problem. I spend 5 minutes at the most and they're clear again for a few months. Thanks for joining :D
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2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
2014 Silverado, 2004 Vibe GT

"everything is modifiable"
netmatt
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:18 am

Re: New Member

Post by netmatt »

I got the new wipers and side deflectors on...looks good

I did not realize I have to drop the bumper for the lights, that's a pain! Any instructions/step-by-step on that you know of? (just in case) EDIT: NM, I found one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07zwJUMo1Q

Last night I did the quick toothpaste remedy on them, and they look better. I need to wax them today to try and add some longevity to the clarity.

I did some research on emblems (seems many-a-GM type car need updated emblems, or have the pink issue) and saw a lot of folks had problems with grafxwerks coming off. Some folks say Testor's model paint, which surprised me. Then there is just remove and buy a new one. I may try the paint, and if it looks crappy, remove and buy.

Thinking of black plasti-dip on the grill...the picture does not really show how beat and worn they are...as is the front bumper.
netmatt
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:18 am

Re: New Member

Post by netmatt »

Well, here is the updates, sort of a rainy day...:
  • New Wiper Blades
  • Trim Restorer
  • Wash/Wax
  • Headlight Restorer
  • Blacked out front grille
  • Rain Shields on Windows
  • Bug Shield on hood (verdict is still out on this...)
  • Blacked out side rails
  • Blacked out Pontiac symbols
We like it! :D

Image
netmatt
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:18 am

Re: New Member

Post by netmatt »

For the logo(s), I used a pencil to trace it (pic1), bought some blackout vinyl tape at PepBoys, and taped it to the back of my trace (pic 2), cut it out (pic 3). I then peeled and applied it to the logo, and used a Exacto knife to cutout around the star. (Pic 4-5) Looks good, but we will see how it holds up! :shock:

Pic 1
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Pic 2
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Pic 3
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Pic 4
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Pic 5
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