Giving my '05 a 2010 facelift!

[Jonnieb2009]

Yes, pics of work in progress.

Wen you change the front bumper you need the headlights as well - these have strip bulbs built in which run vertically -they look pretty good.
Im wondering if there is a way to change the bulbs to leds though - give it that extra- 'bling'

[BenB]

JLBerry I'm just wondering what method it was posted with as it's not arrived yet? and email me your paypal so I can reimburse you when it does get here. Cheers

I've just bought the R-Design front splitter for £70 from eBay, I tried beating him down on price but he wouldn't budge! Oh well, it's kinda essential to the whole project I guess. I'm wondering how much I'll make back on the original items from my car when it's done? Hoe fully it'll cover half the conversion costs at least?!

[Jonnieb2009]

chaps,

Dont forget to let you insurance company know as they wont pay out if there are mods they dont know about.

I am with Direct L and its costing me another £150 for the year but that is covered for modifications up to £4k - I had to give them a list.

[BenB]

Many Thanks Jason, I received it today! Let me know your paypal address and I'll chuck you some money!

After a very frustrating half-hour with a piece of bent wire I managed to get the plastic bit back on... then realised the little plastic notches are actually one notch out of alignment! D'oh. Oh well, I'm not going to pop it back off again now, you really can't see unless it's pointed out!

I bought the R-Design splitter from ebay, it's hanging in my garage now getting a few coats of black.
I'm pondering whether to wait until tomorrow to flat it back with 2000grit before lacquer, or to just give it a few coats of lacquer now, then tomorrow when the whole lot is properly dry flatten it all off and polish it up?

Which would work best? It's so hot right now the paint it drying kinda before it hits the surface and is more orangepeely than an orangepeel!

[Volvophile]

I saw this on another forum and have to say it looks good. You upgraded your '05 V50 to the latest look for a minimum outlay.

[BenB]

Thanks mate, should look sweet when I'm done. May commit to the bumper swap tomorrow!

I'm still figuring out which of the Volvo forums are the busiest, there are some with barely any threads, this one seems the best from what I can see. So I stuck this post on a few of them!

[BenB]

Here's what I mean with the headlight - the clear plastic piece that came away is back on but just one notch out, luckily it's the sort of thing you'd never notice!


Here's the splitter getting some black on it. Obviously the finish from a rattle-can is never a perfect gloss to start with, but actually now it's dry it's not as orange-pelly as I thought, just a bit satin. I had this happen in the past (although on a silver car) and after 4 or 5 coats of lacquer a wetsand brought the finish up perfectly, so I'm thinking I'll go straight to the lacquer now then correct the finish once it's dried properly tomorrow.

[Jonnieb2009]

It wont take you long, you just need some packers under the plastic tabs at the bottom of the headlights. I put packers/shims under then drilled a hole down into the chasis and put a countersunk screw in so the head doesnt touch the headlamp- fitted fine and looks the business.

You wont be dissappointed.

Post up some pics when you have chance.

[Jonnieb2009]

...as if by magic!

[BenB]

Not sure what you mean mate about the plastic tabs (I'm sure it will become clear when I fit it!)

I'll re-read your original post before I do it! Was there much to be cut away for the bumper to fit??