This is a pretty simple mod but as soooooooo many Anni owners feel left out because VW didn't make them in Black i thought i'd take the plunge and spray the W8 Light just to show how good it can look and how simple it really is. This ones for you guys

• Start off by going to halfords and picking up some MATT BLACK SPRAY PAINT

• And buy your son his 1st Golf! Its an R32 aswell

• Then mask up an area ready to take the paint overspray (i took the picture after i had sprayed, sorry!). I used my back room as i could keep the door open to release the fumes but keep the wind and dust away from the W8 Light

• Take the W8 Light apart. It seperates into 2 main pieces, a clear lense and 2 foam pieces. Seperate these and take off the foam inserts and remove the lense. Cover all vital parts with an appropriate method. I started off using paper wrapped around the whole thing to cover the LED's but found this was not working as the spray got underneath. So resorted to using BLUTAC and squigged it over the leds and vital parts.

• I did not prepare the W8 light in any way because it had a nice rough ish texture to it so i knew it would accept the paint ok. Other than wipeing it down so there was not any dust on it. Start off spraying nice and easy as it will take upto 4 coats to get it even and perfect. Allow atleast 20mins min between each coat.

1st Coat

3rd Coat

NOTIC I HAVE NOW APPLIED THE BLUTAC

• After you have applied 4 coats (depending upon your own personal taste) allow to dry over night.

• and thats it. Done. I did not put any Laquer on it as i wanted to keep the MATT/DULL look and as it will not get used much so there is probably no need as the paint will not fade with wear. Put the W8 light back together and asses your results. At this time you should have a big grin on your face thinking 'I Did That'

My Finished Product

• While i remember and cant be asked to edit all of the above. I decided to spray the inside reflector Black too. Although it may not emit as much light it will look better because the glass will have a smoked effect to it during the day.

• Once the W8 Light has dried properly for a day or two get yourself a sewing pin a gently scratch away at the emblems on the buttons to allow the red light to emite through when the lights are switched on and HEY PRESTO. DONE

• Just one last picture below showing a close up view of how it looks. Unless under real bright light and your looking for the spray paint you will never notice it. People will think you bought it from the shop like that.

 Good luck people. Any problems e-mail me.

Can you still see the back lit buttons once its painted?

Cheers
 

NickW:

Like i mentioned, you have to scratch the emblems with a pin or sewing needle tip. Have not got my loom yet so i have not tried it

sorry, me bein lazy not readin'

Good guide that!! well done that man!!

Any chance of a pic when its fitted??

edited, helps if I read the whole thing and not scan over it...

looking good mate, I'm getting started on the looms today when I pick the parts up  

Looks very good and OEM.

But where did you buy the toy R32 from - halfords?

TO be honest, I thought this was gonna be sh_t.

How wrong - the finish looks really impressive and really OEM.

Now i'm tempted

Well done mate, what a great write-up! 

And that RC .:R32 - look how detailed it is!  I think you should add a thought bubble though - "I know Daddy's game - If I pretend to really love this, he thinks he can persuade Mummy to let him have a real one!" 

you don't have to mod the wiring at all...

I made the conversion looms for them but I'm taking a break until the new year, if you want one let me know and I'll make you one in the new year. Click the link in my sig for more info

benjie:

And that RC .:R32 - look how detailed it is!  I think you should add a thought bubble though - "I know Daddy's game - If I pretend to really love this, he thinks he can persuade Mummy to let him have a real one!" 

So true. It came from Halfords at Lakeside Essex. I was queing and there it was, last one. It is very detailed. It even has a sound system in the back.

My boys mods so far:

• Taken away the steering wheel (wanted to make it a drag car!)
• Passenger seat and drivers door cards striped out
• A few dents to increase aerodynamics
• A few scratches on paint work so the car gets less attention
• and the best bit, a Broken rim with no rubber so he can doughnot better

How good is he and he's only 21 months. Plenty of potential in him yet

p.s Thanks for the comments on the W8 light guys. It looks sweet, cant wait to fit it

Wazzzer:

you don't have to mod the wiring at all...

I made the conversion looms for them but I'm taking a break until the new year, if you want one let me know and I'll make you one in the new year. Click the link in my sig for more info

no you need the loom that converts the Golf wiring to the Passat wiring to get the W8 light to work properly. It sounds like you have the feed for the backlighting ready to go though which is good

if you want to put your name down I'll happily make you one in the new year but I've just got too much on at the mo