Going Black & White: The Ultimate Contrast
08-28-2011, 11:51 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Going Black & White: The Ultimate Contrast
Wassup guys!
Since I knew my first year of college was coming up this month, and knew how I wouldn't have the luxury of free time like I did in the summer, I took all the free time I had in the summer to my advantage to work on some projects and then some. One of my biggest projects...wait for it; The biggest, most fun, project I accomplished was Matte White Vinyl Wrapping the entire car!
All in total, it took me and two of my buddies a total of 5 days to finish the car. Of course, it could've been done in shorter time, if we hadn't watched so many videos on YouTube and spent several over-extended breaks entertaining ourselves with Gabriel Iglesias' comedy specials. But the results are pretty damn awesome.
For most, I'm pretty unrecognized here on the forums, but if it isn't too late to introduce my style, I love the whole black and white look. Some like the blacked out look, some like the whited out look, but to my art-centered eye, nothing appeals to me better than some really nice contrast. Therefore!, since black+white is the ultimate contrast it was only natural for me to love the look. And not to mention, it's just extremely sexy when cars rock the look. So if you do happen to look into my mods, black+white is just the overruling theme. So here's everything that's been up so far!
This is when the car was stock overall. All that was done at this point was HID Xenon 5000K lights for Low Beams. 8000K AZN Optics eyebrow lights for the lights closer to the grill. 5000K AZN Optics eyebrow lights for the outer ones.
These pictures are really two different mods. One is the more obvious blacked out headlight housing mod. Where I matte blacked out everything except for the chrome bezel around the low beams, and the reflectors for the highbeams and turn signals. (since I still wanted those lights to be functional)
For the second mod, I switched out the Amber bulb for the turn signal with an LED SMD bulb what emits an amber color. Got rid of the "egg-yolk" look that way and furthered my goal for a completely black and white car!
This is the picture of the LED turn signal in place. White when inactive, amber when on.
Engine plenum given a new look to suit the theme. The two sections were finished on different days. It took quite a while to mask the portions off perfectly. The mercedes three-point star...this was really THE most difficult portion while doing this mod. In the end, I think the end result came put pretty well. It really adds to the look I'm going for. Only thing was...the tone of white on the plenum was a shade whiter than the original factory paint...that's to be fixed as you will soon see.
For this mod, the grill was given a new mean look. The silver fins were first sanded, then primed, then given a matte black paint job. The chrome trim was vinyl wrapped in gloss black.
The other mod that was done alongside this one was debadging. All the chrome trim (the trunk trim, and three-point star) is vinyl wrapped with gloss black.
This was a picture taken by one of my buddies that is excellent with his DSLR. We were roaming around LA when I found this road and just had to take a stance shot here. This is the last picture in this post before the car goes matte. Matte White.
If you take a close look at the diffuser, you will notice a white accent like the W221 has it. It really adds a nice touch of attention to the diffuser.
Gloss black roof to finish it off!
The license plate lights were switched out with LED lights, and here you can clearly see how the white strip looks on the diffuser.
The finished deal!
This is what I've done so far, and there probably won't be much in the near future since I've already started my college life. Hope you guys like what you see here!
Since I knew my first year of college was coming up this month, and knew how I wouldn't have the luxury of free time like I did in the summer, I took all the free time I had in the summer to my advantage to work on some projects and then some. One of my biggest projects...wait for it; The biggest, most fun, project I accomplished was Matte White Vinyl Wrapping the entire car!
All in total, it took me and two of my buddies a total of 5 days to finish the car. Of course, it could've been done in shorter time, if we hadn't watched so many videos on YouTube and spent several over-extended breaks entertaining ourselves with Gabriel Iglesias' comedy specials. But the results are pretty damn awesome.
For most, I'm pretty unrecognized here on the forums, but if it isn't too late to introduce my style, I love the whole black and white look. Some like the blacked out look, some like the whited out look, but to my art-centered eye, nothing appeals to me better than some really nice contrast. Therefore!, since black+white is the ultimate contrast it was only natural for me to love the look. And not to mention, it's just extremely sexy when cars rock the look. So if you do happen to look into my mods, black+white is just the overruling theme. So here's everything that's been up so far!
This is when the car was stock overall. All that was done at this point was HID Xenon 5000K lights for Low Beams. 8000K AZN Optics eyebrow lights for the lights closer to the grill. 5000K AZN Optics eyebrow lights for the outer ones.
These pictures are really two different mods. One is the more obvious blacked out headlight housing mod. Where I matte blacked out everything except for the chrome bezel around the low beams, and the reflectors for the highbeams and turn signals. (since I still wanted those lights to be functional)
For the second mod, I switched out the Amber bulb for the turn signal with an LED SMD bulb what emits an amber color. Got rid of the "egg-yolk" look that way and furthered my goal for a completely black and white car!
This is the picture of the LED turn signal in place. White when inactive, amber when on.
Engine plenum given a new look to suit the theme. The two sections were finished on different days. It took quite a while to mask the portions off perfectly. The mercedes three-point star...this was really THE most difficult portion while doing this mod. In the end, I think the end result came put pretty well. It really adds to the look I'm going for. Only thing was...the tone of white on the plenum was a shade whiter than the original factory paint...that's to be fixed as you will soon see.
For this mod, the grill was given a new mean look. The silver fins were first sanded, then primed, then given a matte black paint job. The chrome trim was vinyl wrapped in gloss black.
The other mod that was done alongside this one was debadging. All the chrome trim (the trunk trim, and three-point star) is vinyl wrapped with gloss black.
This was a picture taken by one of my buddies that is excellent with his DSLR. We were roaming around LA when I found this road and just had to take a stance shot here. This is the last picture in this post before the car goes matte. Matte White.
If you take a close look at the diffuser, you will notice a white accent like the W221 has it. It really adds a nice touch of attention to the diffuser.
Gloss black roof to finish it off!
The license plate lights were switched out with LED lights, and here you can clearly see how the white strip looks on the diffuser.
The finished deal!
This is what I've done so far, and there probably won't be much in the near future since I've already started my college life. Hope you guys like what you see here!
08-29-2011, 12:29 AM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Gashde! Not to mention this was my first time vinyl wrapping! haha
YUP! These things are amazing! Sorry if it bothers anyone I'm bringing up Bimmers, but you know how the new 3 and 5 series have those LED turn signals? That's exactly what these bulbs produce! Crisp, instant flickers and best of all...No errors =D.
I was actually thinking on wrapping mine with Matte Silver, because I saw a 5 series getting a matte silver paint job a while ago and looked absolutely amazing...but, I loved the monotone look. lol. Basically, if you're gonna do it yourself...you either have to be a craftsman with skilled hands, or just take your time with it. For me, I got the motivation from CarCacooning (the matte white Aston Martin DB9 video) and just gathered up some ***** to just take it on and go for it! haha.
I was actually thinking on wrapping mine with Matte Silver, because I saw a 5 series getting a matte silver paint job a while ago and looked absolutely amazing...but, I loved the monotone look. lol. Basically, if you're gonna do it yourself...you either have to be a craftsman with skilled hands, or just take your time with it. For me, I got the motivation from CarCacooning (the matte white Aston Martin DB9 video) and just gathered up some ***** to just take it on and go for it! haha.
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08-29-2011, 12:59 AM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
08-29-2011, 01:15 AM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Looking good Juno! I'm guessing the switchbacks still required some external resistors and wire taps? It'd be great if they were just plug and play..
And I really really need to get my headlights blacked out ._. Man. The few W204s out there with blacked out headlights have really got me wanting to do mine.
By the way, is vinyl wrapping gonna be offered in your list of future services? Just wondering...
And I really really need to get my headlights blacked out ._. Man. The few W204s out there with blacked out headlights have really got me wanting to do mine.
By the way, is vinyl wrapping gonna be offered in your list of future services? Just wondering...
Last edited by snarlingchicken; 08-29-2011 at 01:17 AM.
08-29-2011, 01:45 AM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Looking good Juno! I'm guessing the switchbacks still required some external resistors and wire taps? It'd be great if they were just plug and play..
And I really really need to get my headlights blacked out ._. Man. The few W204s out there with blacked out headlights have really got me wanting to do mine.
By the way, is vinyl wrapping gonna be offered in your list of future services? Just wondering...
And I really really need to get my headlights blacked out ._. Man. The few W204s out there with blacked out headlights have really got me wanting to do mine.
By the way, is vinyl wrapping gonna be offered in your list of future services? Just wondering...
I never really saw how the switchbacks would suit our headlamps...but who knows! lol.At some point in the near future, probably! I still need to gather some more expertise in this industry, because I know just how picky enthusiasts are with the cleanliness of their mods!
And on a side note, it looks like I won't be able to continue that list I got started on the Headlight Mod thread. I recently got a warning from one of the moderators. Reason being, I'm not yet a sponsor here. Kinda sucks, but I guess it does makes sense...=T
08-29-2011, 01:48 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cali
Posts: 277
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01' c320 (sold) / 03' Ford Focus(sold) :( / 98' C230 / 00' SL500 / 11' C300 Sport RWD w204
nice look. gonna do my roof eventually too. gotta say im really loving the diffuser (a lot). I've noticed this on a couple 300's but how come the bottom of your front bumper curves a bit at the very end? (Last photo you can see it clearly). Mine isn't like that and I was wondering if that was on only a certain year.
08-29-2011, 01:53 AM
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
nice look. gonna do my roof eventually too. gotta say im really loving the diffuser (a lot). I've noticed this on a couple 300's but how come the bottom of your front bumper curves a bit at the very end? (Last photo you can see it clearly). Mine isn't like that and I was wondering if that was on only a certain year.
08-29-2011, 02:20 AM
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Aww. Well that's understandable, seeing as sponsorship on these sites do cost quite a bit and it wouldn't be fair to other vendors. But what if it was under the conditions of a local college student/car enthusiast meeting up with another local college student/car enthusiast over some boba or bbq whilst preparing to bake various baked goods at his apartment? Strictly social of course. Jkjk.
Strictly social of course. Jkjk.
08-29-2011, 06:52 AM
#20
Great looking car! I think I'm gonna be getting the LEDs like you. Was this your first car? My 08 is my first car and you can see in my sig my planed mods, not as extensive as you. And great job on the rear diffuser, that is what you find on the 07-09 S550 AMG sport packs, looks great!
