Fog light covers - removable?

[Kodak]

I really like JR's Canyon fog light covers (06 Canyon fog light covers) but am weary of anything so permanent. I know that mistakes are possible and that I'm not well versed with a heat gun.

I've been ruminating over the idea of removable fog light covers, which would allow me to clean the lights if needed, thus eliminating the need to use foam to seal everything up (see above thread if that doesn't make sense).

Of course, any time we talk about removable objects on the body of a moving vehicle there is the possibility of stuff flying away and this must be avoided. Velcro came to mind, since lexan is pretty light, but I'm not so sure. Any ideas for making fog light covers removable?

Still thinking on my end.

[mcrews]

I nned a picture.
Come on, you want us to be creative in the dark!!!

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by mcrews

I nned a picture.
Come on, you want us to be creative in the dark!!!

Isn't this what you mean, Kodak?



I followed the link you cited and then clicked over to the photo JRMichler cited from his profile. That it? If so, I think you should attach it firmly. Use something that will hold up in cold and wet and be removable with proper tools and care. Not velcro. That sounds dangerous. Just my $0.02.

[Kodak]

Sorry about that. Yes, those are exactly the covers I'm referring to.

Here's my front end:



Maybe if I could think up a hinge of some sort... I like the functionality of JR's, but am cautious about doing them with 3M double-sided tape, because I know that an error could occur.

[mcrews]

its not '3m double side tape'
it's a product made by 3m designed specifically to hold trim on cars.

it's in most automotive stores.
it works.

but, you can get steel brackets:


they are at hardware stores. come is various sizes.

another pic.


the trick is to jb weld the bolt on the back so you can take it on and off.

See this pic for a similar idea. I used plastic blots. they also come in various sizes.



use polycarbaronate 1/16 thick. Acrylic is to brittle (imho)

[JRMichler]

I originally wanted to make them removeable. My first thought was some sort of screw or bolt into a nut or nutplate or toggle or something. I was afraid that would lead to stress cracks in the plastic bumper fascia. Did not want that in a new truck.

The covers come off easy. Just pry a corner up with a pocketknife, then work your way around. The tape residue will rub off both the acrylic cover and the bumper fascia. Then use new tape to replace the cover.

Don't worry about making mistakes with a heat gun. Cut out a cover, then experiment with the scrap pieces. Just be careful to not melt the bumper fascia.

That blue masking tape is still covering the lower air holes. I really need to make proper covers there also.

[Kodak]

I am probably going to buy a heat gun this weekend to start on the fog light covers. Eventually, it'll be used to mold an air dam, although I suspect that will be a spring project.

Any objections to this Wagner heat gun from Sears?

I just need something that will get the job done, nothing fancy, so I searched by price.

I think the only other supplies I need are plexiglass, 3M auto tape and some nice thick leather gloves. Anything I'm missing? The cover templates have already been cut from poster board.

[Frank Lee]

What you're missing is that covers over such a feature won't improve aero.

But if you want to try to detect some sort of result anyway, why not just tape it?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

What you're missing is that covers over such a feature won't improve aero.

I don't know if that is true. When Hucho discusses "optimization" many of the examples of alterations are quite small and at the front end. There will be no way to know if the covers helped or hurt because he cannot produce a test that would be sensitive enough, but that's not the same as saying they "won't improve aero"--seems to me.

[Frank Lee]

Can't cite Hucho now re: buckets but I'm familiar the "optimization" reference and that's a different thing; those detail optimizations affect downstream flow while forward facing buckets- the less they leak at the back the better- basically don't.