GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Here's an easy and personal mod everyone can do.I created my own third breaklight overlay. I considered purchasing an overlay off the web but, I thought to myself "I wonder if I can do it on my own". The whole process took about an hour.Here's what I did:First off let me say that I am a CAD Guru and have been for the past six years. I work in AutoCAD and Microstation (CAD programs, for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about.)1. I took approximate measurements of the display area of the third breaklight. I measured the actual glass of the hatch (inside edge of the black area where the breaklight hood rests on the inside of the glass.)Measurements are (Top= 9", Bottom= 5.5", Height= 1.7") I added an additional 1/4" on all edges to allow overlay into the black, thus eleminating any chance for excess light to show through.2. I took the measurements and incorporated them into AutoCAD and recreated the shape. After the shape was creaded I filled it in with a solid black hatch. After hatching, I printed it out at true size. "If you are not CAD savy then see note below"3. Next I opened Microsoft Word and started comming up with short One or Two word phrases that describe me best...(Have fun and experiment with this)4. Next I played with the selected word(s) using different fonts. I found that for the word I chose "Sinner" a font size 140 works best. Be careful on the font you choose because you want the text to be bold enough to allow a lot of light through and be readable.5. After choosing a word(s) and a font/size that best suits your needs print it out.6. *Having a light table works great for this step* Take the printed out word(s) and trace over the outline of the text on the blank side of the paper with a pencil, thus creating a mirrored image.Next place the text over the printed out shape making sure that you get it straight and centered on the shape. Obviously you want the pencil traced part down and the inked text up. Now transfer the pencil tracing to the shape by rubbing the ink portion of the text printout with a hard edge making sure to apply even presure over the entire word. I used the handle of my Xacto knife. Be careful not the do this so hard that it rips the paper.7. Now that you have a pencil outline of your word(s) on the solid black shape...carefully cut out the text with an Xacto knife. Be sure not to destroy/scratch/cut the shape outside of the text portion. This is the part you need to create the overlay.8. Okay so now we should have a piece of paper with a solid Black shape on it with text cut out. Now flip the paper over and put a long piece of clear packing tape accross the shape making sure to cover the entire word with one piece. **Try not to get too many finger prints on the tape.**9. Now carefully cut the shape out making sure not to touch the sticky part of the tape showing through the text protion. If you have any letters that have hollow parts be sure to cut them out carefully and reattach the hollow parts to the tape where they should go.10. Drink a beer...your almost done!11. We should now have a cutout shape with text cut out of it. Set this asside and remove the breaklight hood from the inside of the glass hatch. There are two nuts holding it on. Take those off and the hood should come off. Now take the shape you made and center it on the glass inside the black trimmed area where the hood was. Press it on firmly making sure the tape adhears to the glass uniformly and without bubbles. Trim any excess paper that overlaps the outside of the black trim. Put the hood back on and drink another beer...your done!If you did this right than the text should be readable from the outside. Test it by turning on your vibe and wedging the brake so the light comes on. Hopefully you will be just as happy as I was that it worked.***Note***If you don't have the ability or desire to create a shape in a CAD program like I did then just get a decent size piece of Black Construction paper and trace the text onto it. Cut out a shape around the text big enough to block out extra light. Cut out the text and there you go. This is a hell of a lot easier than all the steps I went through. The Construction paper is a lot thicker and will block the light from shining through the paper.Now that I think of it I think I am going to redo mine with construction paper this time.I will attach pictures tomarrow!!!