FuzzFace2 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Hopefully this is still a good thread to post this to. Here's the "before and after" so far. Personally I think this came out amazing, with some caveats below. Sorry I forgot to dust the faceplates before taking the photo. FYI, I am re-ordering new stickers for mine. I had originally wanted to make transparent colored indicator sections for the backlighting but they just didn't look good. Half is because the backlight is colored in most trucks (mine is blue) and half because the backlight is too weak to begin with. It's just like all the other lights - too dim! It wasn't worth the hassle. At this point here is the exact process for anybody that wants to replicate this. First, if you know how to use Figma or are willing to learn, here's my design file. You can clone it and make any adjustments you want for your panel: https://www.figma.com/file/ma4VRRqGzCNRFK1aKTsf7L/Ford-Bullnose-Climate-Control-Stickers If anybody has basic modifications they'd like made, I'd consider doing it for you if the request is clear and not too involved. Once you have a faceplate you want, you can click on the "frame" around it and you'll see an export option. You export it to PDF. Then you go to https://www.carstickers.com/ and start an order for a "Custom Stickers" -> "Create a Custom Clear Sticker" -> "Clear Vinyl - Front Facing Adhesive" -> Rectangle. Request dimensions 7.25" x 2.1". As you'll see, it makes no sense to order just one, so do the first price break of $29 / 10. This way you'll have a few extras if you make a mistake applying the sticker, have two trucks, or have a really good friend who wants one too. In the order notes I've been requesting "Please ensure final dimensions of 7.25" x 2.1". I don't know if it's needed. Then go to https://sendcutsend.com/ and order this: Faceplate.dxf Have it cut from Acrylic, Clear, 0.118". I ordered 5 units, again their first price break, so it was $13.10. That means my panel was technically $5.52 although I spent almost fifty bucks to get there! When you get the face plate, I have a slight/fixable "mistake" in my design. There are two "sides". On the right, where the fuel selector switch slider goes, that rectangle is a slightly different height than the left-side climate control fan speed selector rectangle. The difference is only 1mm or so but it's noticeable if you pay close attention. I suggest removing the protective paper from both sides of the faceplate and laying it over the sticker to see which way fits better. Worst case if you choose wrong you can just adjust for it with a little bit of x-acto knife work. You'll see immediately what I mean if you do it backwards. One side will need a tiny bit of trimming to look right. To apply the sticker I suggest spritzing the faceplate with a light mist of water, the way you'd apply window tinting. Make a slit across the center of each control-slider rectangle to allow water to escape as you squeegee, but do not cut those sections out yet. Apply the sticker from the center out, squeegeeing firmly to eliminate all air bubbles. Then use a sharp/fresh x-acto knife and slice carefully along the control-slider rectangles to cut those out. My understanding is all of the faceplates have the same physical dimensions, just slightly different visual/UI layouts. If we can get some folks together who'd like to upgrade their climate control faceplates, maybe a group buy would make sense, especially for the acrylic panels... Looks nice and would rock one in my truck if I had to Thanks for all the leg work to make this happen Dave ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Hopefully this is still a good thread to post this to. Here's the "before and after" so far. Personally I think this came out amazing, with some caveats below. Sorry I forgot to dust the faceplates before taking the photo. FYI, I am re-ordering new stickers for mine. I had originally wanted to make transparent colored indicator sections for the backlighting but they just didn't look good. Half is because the backlight is colored in most trucks (mine is blue) and half because the backlight is too weak to begin with. It's just like all the other lights - too dim! It wasn't worth the hassle. At this point here is the exact process for anybody that wants to replicate this. First, if you know how to use Figma or are willing to learn, here's my design file. You can clone it and make any adjustments you want for your panel: https://www.figma.com/file/ma4VRRqGzCNRFK1aKTsf7L/Ford-Bullnose-Climate-Control-Stickers If anybody has basic modifications they'd like made, I'd consider doing it for you if the request is clear and not too involved. Once you have a faceplate you want, you can click on the "frame" around it and you'll see an export option. You export it to PDF. Then you go to https://www.carstickers.com/ and start an order for a "Custom Stickers" -> "Create a Custom Clear Sticker" -> "Clear Vinyl - Front Facing Adhesive" -> Rectangle. Request dimensions 7.25" x 2.1". As you'll see, it makes no sense to order just one, so do the first price break of $29 / 10. This way you'll have a few extras if you make a mistake applying the sticker, have two trucks, or have a really good friend who wants one too. In the order notes I've been requesting "Please ensure final dimensions of 7.25" x 2.1". I don't know if it's needed. Then go to https://sendcutsend.com/ and order this: Faceplate.dxf Have it cut from Acrylic, Clear, 0.118". I ordered 5 units, again their first price break, so it was $13.10. That means my panel was technically $5.52 although I spent almost fifty bucks to get there! When you get the face plate, I have a slight/fixable "mistake" in my design. There are two "sides". On the right, where the fuel selector switch slider goes, that rectangle is a slightly different height than the left-side climate control fan speed selector rectangle. The difference is only 1mm or so but it's noticeable if you pay close attention. I suggest removing the protective paper from both sides of the faceplate and laying it over the sticker to see which way fits better. Worst case if you choose wrong you can just adjust for it with a little bit of x-acto knife work. You'll see immediately what I mean if you do it backwards. One side will need a tiny bit of trimming to look right. To apply the sticker I suggest spritzing the faceplate with a light mist of water, the way you'd apply window tinting. Make a slit across the center of each control-slider rectangle to allow water to escape as you squeegee, but do not cut those sections out yet. Apply the sticker from the center out, squeegeeing firmly to eliminate all air bubbles. Then use a sharp/fresh x-acto knife and slice carefully along the control-slider rectangles to cut those out. My understanding is all of the faceplates have the same physical dimensions, just slightly different visual/UI layouts. If we can get some folks together who'd like to upgrade their climate control faceplates, maybe a group buy would make sense, especially for the acrylic panels... Yes, this is still a good thread. And the panel looks wonderful! Well done! Plus, even I can follow the directions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 Hopefully this is still a good thread to post this to. Here's the "before and after" so far. Personally I think this came out amazing, with some caveats below. Sorry I forgot to dust the faceplates before taking the photo. FYI, I am re-ordering new stickers for mine. I had originally wanted to make transparent colored indicator sections for the backlighting but they just didn't look good. Half is because the backlight is colored in most trucks (mine is blue) and half because the backlight is too weak to begin with. It's just like all the other lights - too dim! It wasn't worth the hassle. At this point here is the exact process for anybody that wants to replicate this. First, if you know how to use Figma or are willing to learn, here's my design file. You can clone it and make any adjustments you want for your panel: https://www.figma.com/file/ma4VRRqGzCNRFK1aKTsf7L/Ford-Bullnose-Climate-Control-Stickers If anybody has basic modifications they'd like made, I'd consider doing it for you if the request is clear and not too involved. Once you have a faceplate you want, you can click on the "frame" around it and you'll see an export option. You export it to PDF. Then you go to https://www.carstickers.com/ and start an order for a "Custom Stickers" -> "Create a Custom Clear Sticker" -> "Clear Vinyl - Front Facing Adhesive" -> Rectangle. Request dimensions 7.25" x 2.1". As you'll see, it makes no sense to order just one, so do the first price break of $29 / 10. This way you'll have a few extras if you make a mistake applying the sticker, have two trucks, or have a really good friend who wants one too. In the order notes I've been requesting "Please ensure final dimensions of 7.25" x 2.1". I don't know if it's needed. Then go to https://sendcutsend.com/ and order this: Faceplate.dxf Have it cut from Acrylic, Clear, 0.118". I ordered 5 units, again their first price break, so it was $13.10. That means my panel was technically $5.52 although I spent almost fifty bucks to get there! When you get the face plate, I have a slight/fixable "mistake" in my design. There are two "sides". On the right, where the fuel selector switch slider goes, that rectangle is a slightly different height than the left-side climate control fan speed selector rectangle. The difference is only 1mm or so but it's noticeable if you pay close attention. I suggest removing the protective paper from both sides of the faceplate and laying it over the sticker to see which way fits better. Worst case if you choose wrong you can just adjust for it with a little bit of x-acto knife work. You'll see immediately what I mean if you do it backwards. One side will need a tiny bit of trimming to look right. To apply the sticker I suggest spritzing the faceplate with a light mist of water, the way you'd apply window tinting. Make a slit across the center of each control-slider rectangle to allow water to escape as you squeegee, but do not cut those sections out yet. Apply the sticker from the center out, squeegeeing firmly to eliminate all air bubbles. Then use a sharp/fresh x-acto knife and slice carefully along the control-slider rectangles to cut those out. My understanding is all of the faceplates have the same physical dimensions, just slightly different visual/UI layouts. If we can get some folks together who'd like to upgrade their climate control faceplates, maybe a group buy would make sense, especially for the acrylic panels... I don't know how I missed this thread. Great job! I guess for me, I would have preferred the OEM style look to keep with originality. I have Corel Draw and I may consider drawing up the face plate for the OEM look. Thanks so much for providing the info and sharing. Outstanding! I wonder if we might make a "How-To" out of this??? Scott, Gary.....thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Hopefully this is still a good thread to post this to. Here's the "before and after" so far. Personally I think this came out amazing, with some caveats below. Sorry I forgot to dust the faceplates before taking the photo. FYI, I am re-ordering new stickers for mine. I had originally wanted to make transparent colored indicator sections for the backlighting but they just didn't look good. Half is because the backlight is colored in most trucks (mine is blue) and half because the backlight is too weak to begin with. It's just like all the other lights - too dim! It wasn't worth the hassle. At this point here is the exact process for anybody that wants to replicate this. First, if you know how to use Figma or are willing to learn, here's my design file. You can clone it and make any adjustments you want for your panel: https://www.figma.com/file/ma4VRRqGzCNRFK1aKTsf7L/Ford-Bullnose-Climate-Control-Stickers If anybody has basic modifications they'd like made, I'd consider doing it for you if the request is clear and not too involved. Once you have a faceplate you want, you can click on the "frame" around it and you'll see an export option. You export it to PDF. Then you go to https://www.carstickers.com/ and start an order for a "Custom Stickers" -> "Create a Custom Clear Sticker" -> "Clear Vinyl - Front Facing Adhesive" -> Rectangle. Request dimensions 7.25" x 2.1". As you'll see, it makes no sense to order just one, so do the first price break of $29 / 10. This way you'll have a few extras if you make a mistake applying the sticker, have two trucks, or have a really good friend who wants one too. In the order notes I've been requesting "Please ensure final dimensions of 7.25" x 2.1". I don't know if it's needed. Then go to https://sendcutsend.com/ and order this: Faceplate.dxf Have it cut from Acrylic, Clear, 0.118". I ordered 5 units, again their first price break, so it was $13.10. That means my panel was technically $5.52 although I spent almost fifty bucks to get there! When you get the face plate, I have a slight/fixable "mistake" in my design. There are two "sides". On the right, where the fuel selector switch slider goes, that rectangle is a slightly different height than the left-side climate control fan speed selector rectangle. The difference is only 1mm or so but it's noticeable if you pay close attention. I suggest removing the protective paper from both sides of the faceplate and laying it over the sticker to see which way fits better. Worst case if you choose wrong you can just adjust for it with a little bit of x-acto knife work. You'll see immediately what I mean if you do it backwards. One side will need a tiny bit of trimming to look right. To apply the sticker I suggest spritzing the faceplate with a light mist of water, the way you'd apply window tinting. Make a slit across the center of each control-slider rectangle to allow water to escape as you squeegee, but do not cut those sections out yet. Apply the sticker from the center out, squeegeeing firmly to eliminate all air bubbles. Then use a sharp/fresh x-acto knife and slice carefully along the control-slider rectangles to cut those out. My understanding is all of the faceplates have the same physical dimensions, just slightly different visual/UI layouts. If we can get some folks together who'd like to upgrade their climate control faceplates, maybe a group buy would make sense, especially for the acrylic panels... Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 I don't know how I missed this thread. Great job! I guess for me, I would have preferred the OEM style look to keep with originality. I have Corel Draw and I may consider drawing up the face plate for the OEM look. Thanks so much for providing the info and sharing. Outstanding! I wonder if we might make a "How-To" out of this??? Scott, Gary.....thoughts? I'm not sure what would be needed beyond this post. But maybe we should ask taskswap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taskswap Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 I don't know how I missed this thread. Great job! I guess for me, I would have preferred the OEM style look to keep with originality. I have Corel Draw and I may consider drawing up the face plate for the OEM look. Thanks so much for providing the info and sharing. Outstanding! I wonder if we might make a "How-To" out of this??? Scott, Gary.....thoughts? Happy to share any other details as needed. This component was a bit of a labor of love so if there's anything you want written up or shared re: files LMK. On the design, Machspeed, I can't reproduce the "OEM style" because mine was aftermarket to begin with so I don't have a source component to measure. If you want to give it a go, can CorelDraw import PDF files? I have it in a Figma right now which they have a free plan for, but I know what it's like to want to use a tool you have experience with. FYI Figma can also export an SVG but my experience has been that's less accurate than PDF because not all apps seem to process SVG's quite the same way. Gary/Scott if we were going to do something here I think it would be cool if we maybe had a page for this component with the files available for download and some instructions on how to get them produced? Then if I, Machspeed, or other users come up with new designs (I think there were at least 3-4 designs just from the OEM climate control options) it would be an easy place to archive them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 I don't know how I missed this thread. Great job! I guess for me, I would have preferred the OEM style look to keep with originality. I have Corel Draw and I may consider drawing up the face plate for the OEM look. Thanks so much for providing the info and sharing. Outstanding! I wonder if we might make a "How-To" out of this??? Scott, Gary.....thoughts? Happy to share any other details as needed. This component was a bit of a labor of love so if there's anything you want written up or shared re: files LMK. On the design, Machspeed, I can't reproduce the "OEM style" because mine was aftermarket to begin with so I don't have a source component to measure. If you want to give it a go, can CorelDraw import PDF files? I have it in a Figma right now which they have a free plan for, but I know what it's like to want to use a tool you have experience with. FYI Figma can also export an SVG but my experience has been that's less accurate than PDF because not all apps seem to process SVG's quite the same way. Gary/Scott if we were going to do something here I think it would be cool if we maybe had a page for this component with the files available for download and some instructions on how to get them produced? Then if I, Machspeed, or other users come up with new designs (I think there were at least 3-4 designs just from the OEM climate control options) it would be an easy place to archive them. That looks incredible! Nice work If you'd want to put together a How-To for this, that would be great and you could attach any needed files to that post. Since this requires knowledge of external software, up to you on how deep you want to get into that. We are in discussion for cleaning up the Resources folder to better house How-To threads but if you want to make a post in this thread containing the How-To, I believe (Gary correct me if wrong) we can move just that post into a new Resources thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 That looks incredible! Nice work If you'd want to put together a How-To for this, that would be great and you could attach any needed files to that post. Since this requires knowledge of external software, up to you on how deep you want to get into that. We are in discussion for cleaning up the Resources folder to better house How-To threads but if you want to make a post in this thread containing the How-To, I believe (Gary correct me if wrong) we can move just that post into a new Resources thread. Yes, we can move an individual post as a new thread. Have to make sure the Subject isn't Re: .... and it may take other posts with it, but they can be moved back. Or, clone the post as the new how-to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Yes, we can move an individual post as a new thread. Have to make sure the Subject isn't Re: .... and it may take other posts with it, but they can be moved back. Or, clone the post as the new how-to? I like the idea of moving it so there is only one real copy and we don't have to update both if changes are made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machspeed Posted January 19, 2022 Author Share Posted January 19, 2022 I like the idea of moving it so there is only one real copy and we don't have to update both if changes are made. Agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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