I guess there will never be 'perfect-fit' foglights for the bumper of my 2000 TL. I really don't miss the functionality of fog-lamps but I do not appreciate the appearance of the two lampless 'holes' in the bumper ... it looks like fog-lights were an extra option that I failed to buy!

So how about FAKE fog lamps? Perhaps a combination of clear and mirrored Plexiglas to give the appearance that the bumper is 'complete'. A nice simple (and inexpensive) design with components that glue in place ... no need to modify the bumper.

My idea is to create three components, a 'lamp cover' from clear plastic, a 'reflector' from mirrored plastic, and a 'lamp' from, well, a real lamp!

I've already made a template, out of clear plastic, that fits the fog-lamp opening perfectly. Call it the 'lamp cover' and it sits on the narrow, painted 1/8" ledge surrounding the black fog-lamp hole. I test-mounted the templates and was pleased with the effect. The bumper now has lenses but no eyes! It needs reflectors to complete the illusion.

The next step is to fake the appearance of a reflector. Once the lamp cover is in place, there isn't much depth remaining (less than an 3/4") between the cover and the black 'fins' in order to create a truly realistic, dished reflector.

The easy way out is to use a flat piece of mirrored plastic. The idea is to cut a piece to fit inside the fog-lamp hole and glue it directly on the black 'fins'. A small hole in the mirrored plastic would receive a lamp to complete the assembly.

Before proceeding with the 'flat reflector' I would like to hear suggestions from others on how to simulate one. The best suggestion will get incorporated in the final design and I'll post the detailed instructions, and template dimensions, in this forum.

Your ideas are appreciated.


PS
I've thought of heating the mirrored Plexiglas in an oven to form a dished surface and a better approximation of a real lamp reflector... but this is starting to stray from my original goal of a fast, cheap and simple solution!

 

Why don't you just put grill material behind the holes and then get some aftermarket fogs in the future that mount behind the grill but shine through at night?

 

I know of some people who have actually taken their REAL fogs off so they could put a grill there to make their CAI breath better. Now thats hardcore. I suggest cutting the holes out and putting a grill there then buy yourself the CAI so later you can justify having an open air foglight holes.

 

man...i know how you feel..but if you made a lamp cover.....go all the way and do want dave did and make custom fogs....your so close~~!!

look here

http://www.acura-tl.com/faq.htm#2

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've ruled out wire-mesh because it isn't the look I want. Maybe as a substitute for the existing grill.

I wish I had Dave's confidence! I definitely do not want to remove the bumper and start cutting away bits and pieces! Nor do I want to thread electrical wiring through my TL's innards. I'm just looking for a simple cosmetic improvement to avoid the appearance that I bought a car WITHOUT the fog-light option.

I'm considering a three-layer 'sandwich', namely a clear plastic lamp cover followed by a 'dispersion layer' (some translucent striated plastic) and finally a mirrored plastic backing. The final effect should be similar to the existing headlamp, especially the HID unit.

Cheap and simple; three layers of plastic.

Any other ideas?