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Rear License Plate Panel - from gray to black

wardlws

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2022
Messages
19
Location
North Alabama
My XLR/V(s)
2005 XLR Blue Steel / Shale
Even before I bought this car, I always wondered why the rear license plate panel was gray and not black. There is no other part of the exterior that is gray, and it really looks like an old used tire; rather than carbon fiber.

So, I took some tire shine to it.... Just kidding. I did give it a few coats of clear coat that has black tinting. You can actually buy tinted clear coat in a spray can for those that black out their tail lights. I carefully masked off the backup lights and sprayed 6 very very light coats... just enough to darken the color to the same shade as my tires, and trim, and rubber seals.

This is actually kind of a neat part. It is made from two layers of "plastic"... gray with a raised basket weave texture, and clear on top. This gives it the carbon fiber look. I just wish they used black for the back.

Anyway, let me know what you think
 

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Last edited:
Even before I bought this car, I always wondered why the rear license plate panel was gray and not black. There is no other part of the exterior that is gray, and it really looks like an old used tire; rather than carbon fiber.

So, I took some tire shine to it.... Just kidding. I did give it a few coats of clear coat that has black tinting. You can actually buy tinted clear coat in a spray can for those that black out their tail lights. I carefully masked off the backup lights and sprayed 6 very very light coats... just enough to darken the color to the same shade as my tires, and trim, and rubber seals.

This is actually kind of a neat part. It is made from two layers of "plastic"... gray with a raised basket weave texture, and clear on top. This gives it the carbon fiber look. I just wish they used black for the back.

Anyway, let me know what you think
 

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Yep, been there done that....match the body color and its fine
Matching the body color looks really good! Thanks for posting that! I like the window tint too... can you post a 3/4 rear and side picture with windows up? I'm definitely wanting mine tinted.
 
there you go
 

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