Couple of minor trim fixes

[jeffcoslacker]

I've been having some issues that I notice are typical as our cars get older...one is the missing blue bowtie emblem on the grille, the other is broken out studs on the rear reflector/reverse light lens...

I've seen many Luminas missing both.

My bowtie disappeared during a drive through car wash...something I don't normally go for but I was feeling extremely lazy that day.

At first I was kinda pissed, but then I realized I kinda liked the stark silver emblem left in it's wake...sorta updated, cool, minimalist.

The only problem was the residue from the adhesive that held the blue emblem.

But repeated attacks with PB Blaster and my thumbnail finally removed all traces. Then I polished the surface with Never-Dull, to bring out the shine...

It looks great...looks like brushed stainless steel or billet or something. I'm very happy now.

That big lens that stretches across the bottom of the deck lid had popped the two outer studs some time ago, leaving it standing out slightly from the panel, waiting to get hooked in a car wash or by some careless person walking by, which explains why I've seen a few Luminas missing that part. I first noticed it because the lens would rattle when I shut the trunk.

With those two gone, it also puts additional stress on the remaining four studs, which I'm sure would lead to them breaking out before long. So I decided to try a repair.

I removed the lens and the broken studs. I cleaned the surface where the studs had been heat-molded into the back of the lens, there is an impression left shaped like a flower where the studs were originally located.

I dropped two drops of Krazy Glue (yeah I know, you're rolling your eyes, but it worked!) in the impression, and pushed the studs back into place, holding them firmly for a minute or so. Let this set up for about 30 mins then moved ahead to the next step...

There is also a plastic "collar" that was originally built up around the studs to hold them in and give a "stop depth" for the lens when you tighten it back down...otherwise you'd put a lotta stress on them and pull them out.

Since the collars were what actually broke out, I needed a substitute. I simply built up a thick bead of black RTV around the studs, approximately the same thickness of the collar remains I found.

Let this set up for 12 hours before re-installing the lens, being careful to apply just enough torque to hold the part firmly, no more. It's held up fine for 3 months now, looks like a good fix.

Maybe this will inspire someone with similar issues...