Lighted door sill panels!

I wanted to throw a newish and somewhat unique idea at you guys, and see what you thought. I worked yesterday most of the day and constructed a system to make my door sill 'Riviera' emblems light up! Except I didn't use the Riviera script.

I don't think I got enough pictures to describe what I did, but I'll explain as best I can!

I first got some scrap vinyl material from my friend (he was too busy to create and cut decals at the time) and laid down some piece on some strips of acrylic I had already cut. I then covered them in masking tape to make a pattern to cut out by hand. Of course, I picked the old 'GS' script. I cut the design out of paper first so I could trace it onto the tape.


Once the design was traced onto the masking tape, I cut through it and the vinyl and there you have it!


Since they're clear, I need to back them with something that would be see through when lit up from behind, but not from the top, so I shot them with a thin silver.




Then I airbrushed a teal mix I made onto the back as well, then a few more layers of silver.


In the meantime, I cut out the area where the Riviera script used to be and the area beneath it in the door sill trim piece.


Like so - a hole. Also, my carpet appears to need cleaning again pretty badly.


Then, where the lights were going I ended up painting a reflective silver (which I then later replaced with chrome tape for better light reflectivity).


Same thing underneath the door sill trim.


Then I found some old 168/194 bulbs and their holders from my parts Lesabre and wired them in to the floor courtesy lights, so they come on when you open the doors.


Ta da!


Finished GS emblem and top trim.


Now, before I show you the finished product I should let you know that I actually ended up going back and scrapping the way I did the light bulb layout. With one bulb, it was bright enough, but very centered. The light wasn't spreading enough and one side was dark because of the light holder. I ended up getting more 194's and soldering them to their wiring so the holders wouldn't be in the way, and added TWO per side, not just one. The light is very even now and looks great!

Here's a view when you open the door.


Closer look:




What do you think? I've very happy with it, it looks way cool in person.

Thanks for looking!

I think its awesome! Looks great!

Damn...looks like one more concept I'll have to steal and implement into my car

Cool!

We havn't heard from you on projects for awhile now, and I KNEW you weren't just doing nothing!

That's pretty sweet!

Cool! Do we have a thread somewhere on converting interior bulbs to LEDs?

awesome

thats slick!

WOW That is cool! I really like that

Love it!

Awesome brother!

Wow, very well executed!

I'm sure cutting the Riviera script out by hand would be fun...

Ratchet! I scrubbed carpet and jambs today and was thinking something needed to be done like your project.

Thanks everyone! It's actually something I've been itching to do ever since I had my '95 Riv. It catches my eye every time I open the door, even in the daytime. You can't see the green backlight during the day by any means, but the silver showing through the 'GS' cutout just looks like a cool emblem.

Zach...I don't think I would ever cut out the Riviera script lol. Too small even for me to cut, and I like doing stuff like that.

I wish I could find time to paint my roof. I didn't get new paint guns for nothin' !