Sleeved fog light housing - How to

This is a step by step walk through of how to black out the fog light housing, or what I like to call "sleeve" them. It is very easy mod that is also inexpensive. First off, the materials needed are as follows: Soapy water, hand towel, electrical tape, 11oz can of black Plasti-Dip undercoating spray, wide painters tape, and newspapers.

Start by taking the fog lights out of their housing. From under the front bumper you can spot the housings. Disconnect the bulbs by turning the light socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise. Now find the adjusting tab and press in on the clips that push out, once they've cleared start to push the fog light out just so the clips aren't holding it back anymore. There are two more tabs on each side horizontally placed, push these in and remove the fog light.

Once both fog lights have been removed, make sure you thoroughly wash the area with soapy water. It needs to be perfectly clean. Dry with a small hand towel, it needs to be completely dry for the undercoating to adhere.

For the next step I used electrical tape just for the elastic nature, it allowed me to create smooth, clean curves. Using the tape I slowly formed and fitted it until I was happy with the edge. For refrence, in the fog light housing there it a slight contour a couple inches out from the fog light. Following this will make it a lot easier then trying to create your own curves and match them. Keep in mind you can go as far out as you would like.

Make sure you have readied the Plasti-Dip by shaking it according to the cans suggestions. Make sure you cover the front of the truck with newspaper or something else, I did about a 3' radius from where I was painting. Start applying the Plasti-Dip in small, even coats. I did about 3-4, or just until it's completely covered. ONLY DO ONE LIGHT HOUSING AT A TIME, Plasti-Dip dries very fast, time inbetween coats should be minimal. I never waited over 30 seconds. Once you have done all your coats start pulling away all the covering you used. Carefully pull the tape you used to create your edge as soon as you can. The undercoating will create a bond between the housing and the tape if you wait too long and it won't give you a nice, clean edge. Check for any over spray, a moist cloth will be able to take any off. Once you've completed one side, follow the same procedure for the other.

The undercoating dries fast but will stay tacky for while, wait for it to be completely dry before pushing the fog lights back in. 24 hours should be more than enough time, better safe then sorry. This is a very easy mod, even easier then the BHLM. Prep is everything in this mod so make sure you take your time with it.

Here is what it looks like all put back together. Good luck!





I will upload some pictures of the process when my camera is charged.

 

Goes really good with your truck. Good job!

 

sweet and unique

 

Looks awesome bro!

 

Looks great!

Nathan
ycart1201

 

Nice...

..been wanting to do this for a while

 

Nice write up T-rev!! I did exactly as he wrote when I did mine.

 

I love it.

 

Alright.... I'm officially convinced....

Gonna be doin this SOON!

 

This really matches the black headlight mod. I'm doing it when I get a few bucks.

 

Love this mod. Where did you get the Plasti Dip and do you think it would work well covering the lower bumper?

 

t-rev,

nice looking truck! I saw an old post about the sleeved fog lights and have wanted to do it for a while.
I think it matches the BHLM real good. Do you think it would look good with the paint going all the way out to the front of the bumper surface? I'm not sure if it would be too much black or if it would make it stand out more.

 

x2!

Im debating on doing the same...

 

Nice. WOnder if I should do it on my MGM. would probably make my yellow fogs blend in a bit more.

 

where is it

 

sticky!!!! please sticky!

 

Well someone do it so we can take a look!!!

 

Thanks! Yeah it will look good though. I was just worried about taping around the crease we have in our front bumpers, I wanted them to turn out perfectly symmetrical. Here's a link to the thread that gave me the idea for this. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/x-runners/51448-fog-light-area-mod.html

 

That was the thread I saw a few months ago. I was trying to find it.

Yeah I think dmbfan73's version would be harder to tape off, but I think its less noticeable your way. Hmm, not sure if I want it easier and more subtle or more difficult and more noticeable.

Did you need to sand the area down before painting?

Thanks again for the great writeup!! Once I make up my mind, I'll do this mod!

 

That's exactly what I thought, I'm very happy with the more subtle look as my truck already has a ton of black accenting. I don't want to go overkill on it. And no sanding required, just follow the write up!