DIY Network

Mitsubishi Eclipse: Introduction and Interior Neon Kit From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-105

	Our project car: a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse, BEFORE the custom body modifications.
	Car-modification specialist Harry McKinney assists with the vinyl and light-kit body upgrade.
	Host Andrew Totolos prepares to add an inner glow to the Eclipse with interior neon tubes.

In this episode of DIY's Tricked Out, host Andrew Totolos will makes some cool body modifications to a convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse. The owner of this car has already had already done a fair amount of work on it, installing intake, exhaust and body modifications, gauges, racing seats, performance wheels and suspension. But we put the icing on the cake by adding a custom two-layer vinyl graphic to accent the car's custom paint. We also add underbody LED lighting and complimentary neon accents inside the ride. In this first segment, we begin with the interior accent lighting.

DIY Difficulty Rating for This Project: Vinyl graphics and light kits are fairly inexpensive, and relatively easy to install as automotive work goes. We gave this project a difficulty rating of 3 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. It may not be a walk in the park, but experienced gear-heads should have no problem. Having a second person to assist will make these jobs go much easier.

Materials used in this episode:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.), tools and materials used in this episode include:

Vinyl graphics kit
Mini neon tube kit
LED system
Phillips-head screwdriver
Flat-head screwdriver
Double-sided tape
Fuse taps
Drill and drill bits
Dishwashing liquid and water
Industrial sprayer or spray bottle
Utility knife
Eyelet connectors or splices
Computer-safe line tester
3/4-inch nylon tube clamps
Zip ties
Mechanic's grabber tool

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	Figure A
	Figure B

Materials used in this segment:

Mini neon-tube kit
Screwdriver
Double-sided tape
Drill and drill bits
Fuse tap

Custom Vinyl: An Introduction

Before work began, aftermarket specialist Harry McKinney provided some background on the processes that go into the custom vinyl work at his shop, Racing Innovations®.

When it comes to designs for custom vinyl, some people come up with their own design, and some look to catalogs and other resources like car shows to help find one to their liking. Once you have a design picked out, a professional vinyl shop can scan the artwork, clean it up and size it with computer graphics programs, and determine the best placement on the vehicle (figure A).

The choice of vinyl colors is practically limitless and includes solid colors, metallic, metal flake, etc. Vinyl shops have swatch books to help you select a good color-match for your existing paint (figure B).

For our project car, a design was selected (figure C) in a metallic finish that works well with the car's style, matching well with the paint, wheels and the body kit that will be installed.

Once the design has been worked out on the computer, the full-sized version is transferred to a plotter and cut out with a fine blade that cuts up to 60 inches per second (figure D).

The graphics are applied to the Eclipse in a later segment.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Interior Neon Kit

In addition to the under-car neon kit, we opted to install mini neon-tubes to provide a nice glow in the Eclipse's interior. We mounted them on top of the speaker panel in the back seats. The mini neon-kit comes with two neon tubes, a transformer and 12-volt power adapter (figure E). Rather than cluttering the dash with the adapter, we opted to install a controlling switch on the dash.

If you decide to install a kit like this, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions that come with your kit. Here are the basic steps from our installation:

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components.

• To mount the tube lights to the car's interior, first secure the tubes with the screws included in the kit (figure F).

• Run the tube leads underneath the trim pieces and connect them to the transformer (figure G).

  Figure F

  Figure G

  
  

  Figure H

• Use double-sided tape to secure the transformer in a hidden location.

• Run the power and ground wires under the door seal towards the dash.

• Drill a hole in an empty switch panel.

• Separate power wires by pulling them gently apart. The positive wire goes through the hole to the new switch, and the ground wire gets attached to the solid ground point (figure H).
  

• Use a fuse tap to tie into an existing circuit (figure I).

• Finally, attach a positive lead from the fuse tap to the remaining switch terminal and secure the switch (figure J).

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  Figure K

Important: Included in this segment are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular vehicle, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of repair-kit you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your kit or replacement parts.

RESOURCES :

Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guide: Import Cars (Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guides)
Author: Joe Pettitt
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Voyageur Press (October 2000)
ISBN: 1884089526

Bend-Pak Inc.
www.bendpak.com
Bend-Pak manufactures automotive hydraulic-lift equipment and other specialized automotive equipment.

GUESTS :

Harry McKinney
Racing Innovations
8913 Oak Ridge Hwy.
Knoxville, TN 37931
Phone: 865-927-3278
Email:info@racing-innovations.com
Website: www.racinginnovations.com