Neon Project, custom neon enclosure Options

[flipside97LTD]

Hey, I have this great idea for adding neon in our Celica's and I figured I'd make a topic of it. Here's my idea: According the the "rules", if you put neon in, the actual tube shouldn't be seen. Only the effects (or the light) from the neon should be visible. Well, I want to add neon to the back seat area of my interior. But in our Celica's it's very hard to find a good place for the neon. 1) I don't want it someplace where people can see the tube. 2) I don't want it someplace where it could be broken.

So here's my solution.... Have the word "CELICA" cut out of the plastic side walls of the interior. Then build a custom enclosure behind the cut out. And finally, put a tube of neon inside the enclosure and out of view. I would have it all wired up to a switch. Then at night I could simply push a button and the word "CELICA" would light up in the back walls of my car's interior. If all goes well I'll document the mod and add a how-to article... What do you guys think? Has anyone done something similar to this before?

[PowellCelica]

now thats forizal my shizal! I'd recomment putting in colored plastic behind where you cut the word out to aid in apperance.

[PlanetFuzz]

sounds good!

[boosted_K2]

innovation good luck! we will all be anxious to see how it turns out

[flipside97LTD]

I dropped off the plastic pieces at CAD Design today! According to them, the only way to do the cut out is with a CNC Router with at least a 6 inch clearance. So they're gonna do the cut out on both pieces for $50. They also said they could cut either clear or blue tinted plastic letters to fit back into the cut out. I think I'm gonna go with the blue tint. Thanks for the idea PowellCelica! I'll keep everybody posted.

[TRDracerGT]

Hey take some pictures.. Maybe u could make me one

[subsolo_21]

i did this before, only it was with my computer. i cut out a design in each side of the case and put neon lights in the case out of sight and had them wired in with the power supply so when the comp was turned on the lights came on with it. i also found out that if you put a sheet of plexiglass in behind the cutout area it looks much better and also gives the edges of where you made the cut some support so they dont break off. great idea. let me know how it turns out. If you need any more help with this pm me and ill be glad to offer my advice. good luck.

[flipside97LTD]

Thanks so much for the posts! Unfortunately, the project has hit a snag though. Our computer at work needs to be fixed before we can email or save the artwork for the plastic company. But from what I've learned they will probably only charge me $100 to do the cut-out and to cut out plastic letters to fit perfectly back in. Personally, a hundred bucks doesn't seem like too much to me. The only other way can think of to do it would be with a dremel tool. Haha but I'm such a perfectionist... I'd rather pay someone to have a perfect job done. At any rate, as soon as we can send the artwork and finish it I'll post it up.

[jordisonjr]

I installed neons in the back seat of my car. I got some neons from a local shop, and they are only about 6 inches long but they are bright as hell. They aren't even in tubes they are the flexible ones like the ones you get off ebay but they work awesome. I can't post up some pics if you want just let me know.