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Acrylic vs SS Inserts

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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 11:33 PM
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Default Acrylic vs SS Inserts

I replaced my acrylic rear letter inserts with stainless steel and thought I would post the results for those who are trying to determine which ones to get. I think the SS ones look much better even though they are twice the cost. You choose.

[IMG][/IMG]

Acrylic Before

[IMG][/IMG]

Stainless After
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 11:38 PM
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I have brake light red on my Black Coupe and it really stands out!
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
I have brake light red on my Black Coupe and it really stands out!
If some want the red brake light effect, especially with blue, they look great, otherwise SS is the way to go. (IMO)
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 03:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Scratch
If some want the red brake light effect, especially with blue, they look great, otherwise SS is the way to go. (IMO)

On some colors the brake light red simply matches well. But on pewter or MSG - SS is the way to go.

Looks great.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 10:46 AM
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The stainless in your picture looks very nice. My SS Stainless letters should be here today.

Is rubbing alcohol ok to use instead of denatured alcohol to clean things before the letters are installed??
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by HHC5
The stainless in your picture looks very nice. My SS Stainless letters should be here today.

Is rubbing alcohol ok to use instead of denatured alcohol to clean things before the letters are installed??
No, use the denatured it leaves a better prepped surface.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
I have brake light red on my Black Coupe and it really stands out!
I would like to see a picture of red and black combo.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 10:55 AM
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USNA62, great pics and comparison. And I believe the stainless steel inserts are the only way to go.

HHC5, denatured alcohol is the cleaner choice.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by HHC5
The stainless in your picture looks very nice. My SS Stainless letters should be here today.

Is rubbing alcohol ok to use instead of denatured alcohol to clean things before the letters are installed??
Absolutely use denatured alcohol not rubbing alcohol which leaves a residue. My kit also included a tube of primer fluid to use after the alcohol to promote the adhesive on the letters. The only hard part is fitting the center of the E's. They tend to be at a slightly different angle than the rest of the letters and reflect light differently. Minor but an annoyance. I think it has more to do with the fascia indentation than the piece itself since both E's did that. Good luck, I think you will like the result.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:04 AM
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SS letters look good on certain colors, but IMHO, on my MY 2004 Coupe - BLACK letters look the best. SS letters would not stand out like black!
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by CAPN17
I would like to see a picture of red and black combo.
Here's a link to an earlier post about letters on white. Scroll down about half way and Randy (blacksedan87) posted pics of his black with brakelight red.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...t=blacksedan87
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:26 AM
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Mine had black acrylic inserts when I got it. I changed to SS Inserts and it was a major improvement. My car is Torch Red. I didn't care for the black with the red. Looked more SS Camaro-ish than Corvette (which I like the SS too, but that's not what I have). MHO, stainless steel inserts gave my car a much cleaner and sharper look than the acrylic black inserts, which protruded from the Corvette indention in the facia. The ss inserts are lay in and they end up flush with the rest of the facia. Just mho.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
I have brake light red on my Black Coupe and it really stands out!

I just ordered the Brake Light Red from Mid America, but really like the stainless. My coupe is black and it was a hard choice. Really think the color determines the insert. Your stainless looks perfect with your color, good choice.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by eddie44
Here's a link to an earlier post about letters on white. Scroll down about half way and Randy (blacksedan87) posted pics of his black with brakelight red.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...t=blacksedan87
I have the white also, I was gonna go with the red, but these look really nice too. Has anyone put inserts in the lettering in the front plate? I am considering doing the rear and the front lettering.
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Old Jul 29, 2004 | 01:48 PM
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Stainless looks nice, but my Brakelight red ones look great on my pewter car. You can really tell they are there.
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