[Dragonsys]

Got the pieces all painted. I got pictures of them removed from the car, and of them finished. I will get them uploaded in the next couple of days.

 

[Dragonsys]

I ordered the dash kit for the tablet, UPS shows an ETA of mid next week. So that will be the next project.

Pictures of the painted chrome pieces are below, click for a larger view. A/C Vent rings are next.
I used a thing, metal putty knife to remove them (I use this for most of the trim, as it is strong enough to remove it, thin enough to slide into the cracks, and wide enough to not dimple the plastic).

For the rings, I used the edge of the knife and gently pryed up. For the A/C Vent pieces, I stuck the tip of the knife under the piece and pryed out.

All removed from the car:


Completed:

 

[APCruze]

Looks great, by chance did you get any pictures of the side / backs of the pieces, or just the top. I kept passing this idea up thinking it wasn't worth the time, but after seeing it on yours, I think I will do it.

 

[Dragonsys]

Looks great, by chance did you get any pictures of the side / backs of the pieces, or just the top. I kept passing this idea up thinking it wasn't worth the time, but after seeing it on yours, I think I will do it.

I didn't, but they all have a lip which you can get under to apply the pulling pressure.
The main gotcha was the Headlight Control ring, the clear plastic (which carries the light) is part of the ring, so I had to tape off the little square light in the middle of the ring. I just put a piece of tape over it, and used an exacto knife to trim it to fit the light.

 

[APCruze]

sounds good, I will have to give it a try this weekend. I really like the painted chrome at the bottom of the windows. I just think pink (the color on the rest of the car) is a little too much for the side. That blue looks really good though.

 

[APCruze]

So I got the all the round chrome rings off with no issue and ties it in a lot better than I ever thought it would have. I did not have very good success with the air direction knobs. Could not get them off for the life of me so I gave up before breaking them. I might try it again another day or just use a brush and hand paint them. I'll get a picture of the side up in a few.

 

[Dragonsys]

I did not have very good success with the air direction knobs. Could not get them off for the life of me so I gave up before breaking them. I might try it again another day or just use a brush and hand paint them. I'll get a picture of the side up in a few.

They are really tight, so tight that the paint peeled a bit when I put them back in. I used a razor blade to trim it off.

 

[Dragonsys]

I started on the tablet install. Got the OE screen relocated & the tablet all measured up. Now I just need to get the screen protector installed & the "smart box" ordered.

 

[Dragonsys]

The tablet is installed. The only thing missing is the AUX cable (ordered) and the Smart Box for power (ordered). Once they arrive I will get this all wrapped up, in the mean time I have run the USB power cord out the hole around the steering wheel, so it can be plugged int to the 12v power outlet. This will at least allow me to make use of the tablet for a trip this weekend.

Now I need to work on my apps and screen setup. I have a few of my standard car apps installed already, but I have not configured them yet. My "default apps" are: Google Maps/Scout for Nav, aCar, Torque Pro, Tasker, Where's My Droid & Back Button

I found a problem when making my power outlet always on, my gauges are connected to the fuse for the outlets and so they are always on. I could not find another fuse which was only on with the ignition, that was also of sufficient power rating, so I am having to undo this change for now. I might wire an extra outlet just for charging the phones.

 

[APCruze]

Sounds like it's time to get a relay that is wired to cone on with the ignition. It would solve that problem.

 

[Dragonsys]

Sounds like it's time to get a relay that is wired to cone on with the ignition. It would solve that problem.

Well, I changed my Outlet Relay back to normal so it comes one with the ignition now, but this leaves me not being able to charge the phone in the car, if the ignition is off. So I'm thinking about adding an additional, always on, outlet just for the phone.

 

[Dragonsys]

Tablet install is done for now (pictures to come later). I still need to get the audio cables run, but I need to order a few more parts first, such as a microphone.
I'm thinking about putting the outlets back to always on and installing a couple of switches for the gauges & tablet, so they will turn on/off as needed.

 

[Dragonsys]

Low tone horn has stopped working. I'm hoping it is a simple connector came loose, but I won't know until I have the time to remove the bumper...
Shark Fin ordered, I'm looking forward to this one, and it will just about complete the appearance mods. Time to start working on performance.

 

[Dragonsys]

Finally got around to fixing the horn & installing the VG Sharkfin.

 

[Dragonsys]

Car has been returned to stock, other than the Intake, Horns & Boost Gauge

 

[cdb09007]

How come?

Haven't seen ya around in a while!

 

[Dragonsys]

I was trying to sell it, to get rid of the payment, but since it was wrecked I can't get what I owe on it. It is close, only about $2-3k off, but still. The car just sits in the driveway now, being ignored, I feel bad for it sometimes.

Yeah, life got in the way. I lost my job (last day was 3/31) and ended up moving back to Texas. I only just not got a new job, but I'm still waiting on all the paperwork and such, before I even get a start date.

I'm slowly getting back into things now though

 

[cdb09007]

Sorry to hear that, hope things pick back up! Glad to see ye back tho

 

[Ferrucci]

sorry to hear man, you did a great job on the car.

 

[Dragonsys]

Well, it has been a fun last few years, but the Cruze has been sold. They are coming to pick it up in a few days. It was starting to show signs of major problems coming soon, so I figured I should get out of it, before they actually hit me with repair bills.

I will probably still troll the FB page, but I doubt I will long on the forums much (not that I really have for the past couple of years)