makeshift rubber grommets.....ideas???
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From: La Grande, OR
makeshift rubber grommets.....ideas???
Ok, so I got some backup lights for my pickup, and wanted them inside the bumper. So, I grabbed my trusty Dremel (R)...lol...and went to work on the bumper. Got the holes cut, but in my troubles (and lack of better tool), there are some places where I cut too big for the light, and you can see the hole aruond it. They don't make a rubber grommet for my light, so I was wondering if anyone had any cool ideas on how to maybe make one of my own.......I was thinking of taking some 1/4 or 3/8 inch vacuum tube, splitting it on one side, and doing that, but im not sure how nice that'll look.
All ideas are appreciated.....thanks guys!
Nicholas Kokos
All ideas are appreciated.....thanks guys!
Nicholas Kokos
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Get some black heater hose, the thin wall stuff. I think you can find it at the home super store (lowes or home despot). Split it, and cut it to length. You may even want to split it twice so it doesn't stick out too far.
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
If done correctly the hose will look the best. You need a straight edge and a sharp knife ( a utility knife with a NEW blade is the best). Split the hose then use the straight edge to make true cuts to get the proper size. If you get the right size hose the friction should hold it in place.
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From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by nighthawk285
......... They don't make a rubber grommet for my light, so I was wondering if anyone had any cool ideas .........
Go to your local Ace Hardware, ask if they stock Hillman Drawer Assortments. There is an assortment of split rubber grommets of various thicknesses & diameters & outside grooves, probably cost you half a buck.
While you are there look at all their drawer assortments, the handy stuff in them is unbelieveable.
Last edited by Acemandb; Apr 22, 2007 at 05:31 PM.
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From: La Grande, OR
thanks ace, ill go there tomorrow and check.... I said makeshift because I didn't know about anything else that I could use that would work, I doubt that the one here has them, but there are some other places here. What is a Hillman Drawer Assortment? An assortment pack of things to make drawers? Never heard of them before
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
I'm thinking that the split rubber hose idea might not work very well. The reason is because I think when you wrap the hose around one of those inside corners, the tendency of the rubber is going to be to flatten out. It's a bit hard to explain but would make more sense if you took a split piece or rubber hose and bent it into a 90 degree angle with your hands. While you COULD do it this way, I think it might look kind of crappy.
Now, with a good blade and some patience you could cut triangular pieces out of the rubber at the corners and melt/glue the pieces together. Good luck with this, I've got the backup lights set into my bumper and it looks pretty nice. It was done by the PO; he had a shop put them in, and they used a plastic trim piece to cover the seam.
-Chris
Now, with a good blade and some patience you could cut triangular pieces out of the rubber at the corners and melt/glue the pieces together. Good luck with this, I've got the backup lights set into my bumper and it looks pretty nice. It was done by the PO; he had a shop put them in, and they used a plastic trim piece to cover the seam.
-Chris
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From: La Grande, OR
I'll try to get a picture or two tomorrow, maybe it'll help explain.....I just need a grommet or something I can use that'll seal the end so that it acts as to cover the imperfections in my cutting, but not getting everywhere (im not very good with silicone)
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From: La Grande, OR
sorta yes, and sorta no. I tucked mine in under the license plate lights so that they shine out at an angle to see more whats to the behind and side of me. I put two other lights tucked way up in the body (will get pics tomorrow if weathers nice) that shine straight down, so I can see pretty well for the first 1-2 feet behind me, and I'm hoping these'll give me more....if they dont, well I'll just swap bumpers to the other one I have at home and try again.....
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Michigan
This is the stuff I was refering to and I'm sure you can get it a t any auto parts stores.
http://www.brandsport.com/trimgard1.html
http://www.brandsport.com/trimgard1.html