New Mod ... Benz Star Lighting

noregret4life · 08-15-2007

First up in the new mods collection we have a backlit Benz star.

I used the same cluster LEDs that i installed as my puddle lights to backlight the benz star on the hood.

Each cluster has 3 wide angle bulbs, and the wiring runs to a switch i control inside the car.

They look a little off-center in the photo, but i assure you when you look straight ahead they are evenly mounted.

I like the look, however i am going to be working out a new backlighting upgrade very soon utilizing a much more even spread of light so that the individual bulbs can not be seen.

**Ynot** · 08-15-2007

Don't know if I'll ever do that to my SLK, but I have to give you an "A" for creativity.

**etyu** · 08-15-2007

You can fashion a light "diffuser" (e.g., translucent plastic, your choice of color) between the LEDs and the back part of the 3-pointed star. I don't think this interferes with the air flow to the air filters as the inlet are off to each side of the star.

noregret4life · 08-15-2007

etyu,

I was thinking of going with an EL glow sheet. They sell them in A4 sizes and you can cut them to any shape or size. Also come in various colors, but i am sticking with white.

I figure if i get one of those and cut out the exact circle, the light distribution will be perfectly even, and the backlight effect will then be just right.

**etyu** · 08-15-2007

Lenny, that sounds like a great way of doing the backlight. You can fashion a template first from light cardboard and transfer to the EL glow sheet once you're satisfied with the fit and determine how to anchor the EL sheet.

**alroumi** · 08-15-2007

Very creative but its grabs more attention than I would want in an SLK.

Congrats on the new mod lenny, good to see you posting often.

cyberdrakon · 08-15-2007

Hey Lenny! I've got a couple sheets of EL sheet lighting (more than i can use), care to help me out, i'll give you a great price? Let me know on MSN.

Also, i have access to an acrylic sheet cutter...so let me know if you have a template you want cut....it's not cheap though.

diclehana · 08-15-2007

http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...-anyone-3.html

This was my idea and thanks for the photo. The mod does not stand out between fog and headlights maybe another color(yellow or red I know red and blue are not allowed in your country) will do the trick. I will do a similar mod after I get 55 AMG bumpers... Hope to share the photos with you

**ghostdunks** · 08-15-2007

yay..I love to see ng4l's posts!

noregret4life · 08-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///AMG 55

Just the nose of the SLK gets plenty of attention all by its self. I would be worried about the guys that have the fancy red and blue lights behind there grill

diclehana, I give you all the credit for it. Though slightly different, you were the one who came up with the idea behind the grills.

Now lets make it happen for you!

cyberdrakon, might take you up on that offer... would cut out a bit of searching for me... will drop a message.

I agree with Bill... I am staying away from the Red and Blue...

FYI - 8 Points on my license in 4 months = $700+ in fines

watsons · 08-16-2007

Not my cup of tea... but nice try!

Bubba · 08-16-2007

I think it looks awesome dude. would EL String perform as well?

noregret4life · 08-17-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba

I think it looks awesome dude. would EL String perform as well?

Well the goal is to get rid of the spotty effect. from my pic you can see that the individual LEDs can be see. I am aiming for an even spread, so i think EL string my provide some glow as long as its just on the outside circle of the star and out of site. -but just guessing here.

I am going for the EL Sheet custom cut to fit the exact size of the star. Will also seal it up from weather and possible road particle damage.

Additional angle pic posted above that gives a better idea of how its supposed to look

noregret4life · 10-04-2007

Well here is a teaser for you guys!!!

Thanks to cyberdrakon's help i was able to get a hold of the EL Glow parts i needed to complete the mod.

I still have to figure out some mounting issues. But its done for the most part.

More details and pics coming soon...

**etyu** · 10-04-2007

Lenny, that is SUPER SICK !!!

cyberdrakon · 10-04-2007

Wow Lenny! That turned out even better than i expected! Great!

Baron7700 · 10-04-2007

How much free time do you have!?!?!?!?!?!?!

haha looks good. I think the only way you could get more attention now is to just put some Red and blue lights in your car and let them flash as you drive.

diclehana · 10-04-2007

how did you do it man? That is really sick...

V8SLK · 10-04-2007

very freakin' cool!

**etyu** · 10-04-2007

Is it too much to ask for a tutorial?

08-15-2007	#2 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,795 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	Don't know if I'll ever do that to my SLK, but I have to give you an "A" for creativity. __________________ 06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-15-2007	#3 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	You can fashion a light "diffuser" (e.g., translucent plastic, your choice of color) between the LEDs and the back part of the 3-pointed star. I don't think this interferes with the air flow to the air filters as the inlet are off to each side of the star. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

08-15-2007	#5 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Lenny, that sounds like a great way of doing the backlight. You can fashion a template first from light cardboard and transfer to the EL glow sheet once you're satisfied with the fit and determine how to anchor the EL sheet. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

08-15-2007	#6 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Very creative but its grabs more attention than I would want in an SLK. Congrats on the new mod lenny, good to see you posting often. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

10-04-2007	#15 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Lenny, that is *SUPER SICK* !!! __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

08-15-2007	#4 (permalink)
noregret4life Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Vehicle: '05 SLK350 Posts: 1,092 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 17 Times in 11 Posts	etyu, I was thinking of going with an EL glow sheet. They sell them in A4 sizes and you can cut them to any shape or size. Also come in various colors, but i am sticking with white. I figure if i get one of those and cut out the exact circle, the light distribution will be perfectly even, and the backlight effect will then be just right.

08-15-2007	#7 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Hey Lenny! I've got a couple sheets of EL sheet lighting (more than i can use), care to help me out, i'll give you a great price? Let me know on MSN. Also, i have access to an acrylic sheet cutter...so let me know if you have a template you want cut....it's not cheap though.

08-15-2007	#8 (permalink)
diclehana Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Istanbul Vehicle: 05 SLK 200 Posts: 182 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...-anyone-3.html This was my idea and thanks for the photo. The mod does not stand out between fog and headlights maybe another color(yellow or red I know red and blue are not allowed in your country) will do the trick. I will do a similar mod after I get 55 AMG bumpers... Hope to share the photos with you

08-15-2007	#9 (permalink)
ghostdunks Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: SLK280 Posts: 211 Country: Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	yay..I love to see ng4l's posts!

08-16-2007	#11 (permalink)
watsons Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hong Kong Vehicle: 2007 SLK280 Posts: 655 Country: Thanks: 9 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Not my cup of tea... but nice try!

08-16-2007	#12 (permalink)
Bubba SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bucks Vehicle: 06 280 Posts: 41 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think it looks awesome dude. would EL String perform as well?

10-04-2007	#16 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Wow Lenny! That turned out even better than i expected! Great!

10-04-2007	#17 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	How much free time do you have!?!?!?!?!?!?! haha looks good. I think the only way you could get more attention now is to just put some Red and blue lights in your car and let them flash as you drive.

10-04-2007	#18 (permalink)
diclehana Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Istanbul Vehicle: 05 SLK 200 Posts: 182 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	how did you do it man? That is really sick...

10-04-2007	#19 (permalink)
V8SLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Home of the brave Vehicle: 05 SLK55 AMG Posts: 1,071 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 48 Times in 26 Posts	very freakin' cool!

10-04-2007	#20 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Is it too much to ask for a tutorial? __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.