1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

My Blacked out C3

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by J.DeAngelis, Aug 2, 2012.

  1. J.DeAngelis

    J.DeAngelis New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2012
    23
    3
    0
    Location:
    Waterbury, Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Hey everyone,

    I bought my Black Sand Pearl C3 July 17 and using these forums as a reference I have been slowly adding on to it.

    For background... First off, I'm 20 years old! I switched from a 2000 Audi A6 V8 which I averaged 16mpg, give or take.. So even when I get only 40mpg on a trip, I am amazed! Many factors other than gas were involved with my switch: long commutes (i'm in Air National Guard and travel 225miles to Atlantic City, NJ from CT once a month), costly repairs on the Audi... seems like I fix one thing and then another thing breaks!$!$!, I've been lead to believe that these cars are cheap for repairs except the batter which could last up to 200,000 miles or more... Oh and the payments are less than what I was spending on gas so it's like I got a new car for nothing?

    Anyways here is what I have done so far, nothing too major.. just personalizing:
    *20% Tint on Windows Myself
    *Tint Film on Tail Lights - Couldn't shape it right so I had to do two pieces (back and side)
    *Painted Hubcaps with matched paint and clear coated.
    *Cargo Net off ebay, its useful :rolleyes:
    *Bumper Strip/Scratch Protector
    *De-Badged rear, waiting on the sides for an idea on how to fill?? And yeah I had to debadge because I accept the Prius name but most others don't. With out the badges, people don't seem to know what it is and they accept it for what it is, not what its named!

    To Do:
    *Slap this shark fin on top!
    *Bulbs to LED... If anyone could recommend their favorite brands (intensity + price) and possibly suggestions on which lights to do.. I know there are other articles, I just like to get as much reference as possible!
    *Auto On Headlight
    *Always Hot Cigarette Lighter
    *Fog Lights eventually, with the OEM stalk... might wait a little bit until a C4 shows up in the junkyard for this though... or Aftermarket parts (priced right) that integrate with the factory harness.
    *I was thinking of venturing into a rear dome light set up... haven't decided for sure but its difficult at night to see in the back seat if I need to get something out of their.

    Some progress pics:
    IMG_0473.jpg IMG_0476.JPG IMG_0482.JPG IMG_0509.JPG

    What do you guys think?
     
    creacat, taco4267 and Daze like this.
  2. dellrio

    dellrio Im pretty much awesome

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    281
    88
    37
    Location:
    Des Moines, IA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Looking forward to seeing more modded Pri C's out there. - Rear Dome is way easy too - I have done that on several cars - just tap into the front dome and change the bulbs to LED, the draw will still be lower than it currently is so no need to upgrade wiring or fuses. Keep pics coming as you get done with your list and lastly you said

    "With out the badges, people don't seem to know what it is and they accept it for what it is, not what its named!"

    Exactly - we had a huge thread about debadging a while back and I explained this to people who "didn't get" the reason to debadge. Honestly the agressiveness of drivers around me has been cut in half without the badges. You may want to consider colormatching the side badges until you do the side ones. I did - there should be pic;s in my albums.
     
    steveoknievo and J.DeAngelis like this.
  3. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2012
    407
    168
    0
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    You say you debadged the rear, but your photo shows both emblems still there. Any updated photos? Were there holes under the Prius C emblem, or just double sided tape?



    Bob
     
    Daze likes this.
  4. karabits

    karabits Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2012
    51
    10
    0
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Great job on the tail lights. Can you tell me what % tint you used on them? Thanks, and keep up the good work!
     
  5. photogrl13

    photogrl13 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2012
    115
    47
    59
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Looks nice so far. I wish I was that good at tinting :( I would so do my tail lights.
     
  6. CAlbertson

    CAlbertson Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    99
    24
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    You pretty much can't drive your car in California anymore. I think the fine adds up to about $1,000.
     
    Hemy03 likes this.
  7. Rob.au

    Rob.au Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2012
    960
    441
    0
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Still trying to talk myself into this but I'm too concerned about its usefulness - lighter items don't really need a net and I fear heavier items are going to slap on the rear. What's your experience?

    I'd think about the rear bumper scratch protector strip but the cost of getting that sent out here is prohibitive.
     
  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,856
    6,658
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    "Blacked Out" isn't my look, but that's OK.
    I'm an old fart.

    Well executed! :)
    Definitely a unique look.

    Good Luck!
     
  9. Hyper_PriusC

    Hyper_PriusC Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2012
    83
    55
    0
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    looks great man. i like your tinted taillights
     
  10. dellrio

    dellrio Im pretty much awesome

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    281
    88
    37
    Location:
    Des Moines, IA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three

    Badges, on the back the Toyota HSD emblem and the Prius C emblem are taped on only. The Toyota emblem has pin holes, but its indented anyway, so to truly remove would require body work. On the fenders the "Hybrid" emblems are taped on, but contain two holes, one is fairly large basically the size of the emblem - pictures in my albums of a debadge, and rebadge where there were holes
     
  11. dellrio

    dellrio Im pretty much awesome

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    281
    88
    37
    Location:
    Des Moines, IA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three

    Badges, on the back the Toyota HSD emblem and the Prius C emblem are taped on only. The Toyota emblem has pin holes, but its indented anyway, so to truly remove would require body work. On the fenders the "Hybrid" emblems are taped on, but contain two holes, one is fairly large basically the size of the emblem - pictures in my albums of a debadge, and rebadge where there were holes
     
  12. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2012
    407
    168
    0
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks. Was hoping for no holes on those two emblems. What kind of solvent did you use to loosen and remove them? I'm leaving the Toyota emblem in place, but hope to find a decal kit to change it from blue to red. Think that will look much better against the black paint. Not the solid red I have seen on other Prius mods, but a red/black combo, sometimes called "heat red", like this:
    Heat Red.JPG
    So far no luck finding this to fit the C's emblems.

    Looked at your album, and Wow! You have really made some extensive modifications in adding the Fat Mat and other sound deadening materials to the interior. Wish Toyota had gone this route. I would gladly give up the 2-3 mpg in gas savings the extra weight might cause to gain a quieter interior at highway speeds. Thanks for sharing all this with us.
     
  13. dellrio

    dellrio Im pretty much awesome

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    281
    88
    37
    Location:
    Des Moines, IA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    To remove the emblems, I just use a small piece of sturdy string or yarn, hook a little under one corner of the emblem, and do a flossing motion as you slide down the emblem. Make sure the area was clean of any dust and dirt before you do this to prevent scratching, you could even put masking tape around it if overly concerned. Once the badge is removed, I use my finger to pick off the big chunks of tape residue, then rub it with my thumb so the reset of the foam materials gum up into little chunks. After that I lightly polished with goo-gone until the area is residue free. After that I immediately wash the are with car cleaning supplies and wax that area too as the goo gone will remove wax (but will not harm paint).


    Thanks - also, after a few months of driving with the matting, and some heavy subs/amp/box in the rear, I have noticed no impact on my fuel mileage. But I agree, Toyota should have addressed the road noise issues, but I know this was supposed to be an economy priced hybrid, so its understandable.
     
  14. koipond

    koipond Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2012
    198
    40
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I'm also lovin' the tinted tail-lights. Along with a few other posters, I'd love to hear some details about how you did it. thanks!