Latest Mod: easy/cheap OVERLAY DECAL (3rd Brake Light)
 

Well, it's been too long since I was able to add a mod ... even a simple one. So, I saw a new product auction on ebay for a DECAL OVERLAY to cover the RED portion of the 3rd brake light at the top of our back window. I've had a dislike for this big red b*stard since day one ... no reason ... just didn't like it. The auction pics showed three silver-ish versions (FORD oval logo, "F-150" text, and a Harley-Davidson logo). But, the auction body said that black was also available upon request. This, as many of you know, got my attention. So, I got the "F-150" text on black. The seller was very good at email, sent the item immediately, and the 'look' cost me a whopping $10. The seller's contact info is in my gallery along with a collage of BEFORE/AFTER pics.

The quick picture link is...
http://users2.ev1.net/~austinmerrill...ht_750x530.jpg

I thought about having him (Mark) try a longhorn to match my other oval overlays, but I think I have enough of those to make my statement. :)

Thats SHARP how about USA

I like it. Looks good, easy mod.
Chris

I made my own since I have the equipment to make vinyl decals.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=42364&.jpg

I got tired of it and when I took it off I had a big surprise. The adhesive really bonded with the plastic of the light. Must of been the heat from the light and/or sun, but it was a PITA to remove. And this was not cheapo vinyl. So watch out if and when you remove it.

thats pretty damn sharp...

I agree with triton about the adhesive sticking and being a pain to remove. I used just about every chemical known to man to remove the residue on mine and still had to use some good ol elboy grease to completely get it off. When I was done i noticed that it left the surface of the red somewhat faded, but that might be due to the assortment of chemicals i had to use. Basically, if you get one of those decals, make sure that you wouldnt ever want it off.

No problem there ... have no plans of ever removing it. But, in case it helps anyone else, I've heard GOO-GONE is great stuff to use!

http://www.magicamerican.com/products_gg.shtml

Well, even the best quality of vinyl has about a 10 yr. outdoor life, so eventually it will get pretty crappy looking, faded, ect, but that's a long time from now. Goo-gone probably won't do anything. The adhesive actually bonds to the plastic.

Does anyone know if these are legal or not I don't want to give the cops another reason to pull me over and be a dick

i doubt it's against the law.... 3rd brake lights aren't a requirement on vehicles so i would thik if you choose to cover one up it wouldn't be breaking any laws... besides his decals still let light through....

i just ordered one.. black F-150 word decal for my black 05 Screw....

Gordo, Man, that was a well spent $10.Was it hard to put on?How do you put it on?It looks absolutely great!I am also considering the black overlays to cover the blue ovals.Do you have any idea how they go on?I do not want to buy them if they are difficult to put on.I would probably screw them up.Thanks!

Ruckus, the 3rd brake light is SUPER easy to put on. It's just a square-ish piece of vinyl decal (very sticky on one side). You just want to go slow and follow the instructions that the seller will email to you.

As for the oval (grille/tailgate) emblems, those can be a little harder for several reasons. One thing to figure out is domed versus non-domed decals. I went domed ... look better IMO and should last longer. Being oval (not square), you don't necessarily have a good line of sight when putting them on ... no single corner with which to start. And with these highly sticky decals, you probably won't get more than one shot at it. So, you just have to take your time and do it right. The instructions from the seller I used on my emblems are located at http://www.zdecal.com/store/instruction.html. Past that, they're a great (inexpensive) mod that even you will notice almost every day.

Gordo, I also have a black truck (not fixed up like yours though) and thought the black overlays would be a cheap mod.I think I will give the oval a shot first.I would have to remove my new ARE lid to put the 3rd brake light overlay on.I wish I would have done the overlay first, maybe later.Anyway, Thank You Very Much for sharing your information for the install.I can only give it my best shot and hope it works out.Thanks Again!

Got the Zdecal on mine as well (thanx to Gordo's reco). nice thing about it, is that you can use a little bit of soapy water on the surface first then put your decal on into position then squeegy the water out once you found the correct position. but let me tell ya, once it's on...........it's on for good!

Aloha :-X22

Hawaiian Style, That sounds like a winner.The soapy water will make it a little more forgiving install.Thanks for the info.I thought it may be something like license plate sticker decals with no room for error.Thanks Again!