Black Headlight Pockets?
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Black Headlight Pockets?
Do I keep them or go monochrome?
Currently my headlight pockets are gloss black. I like the black pockets but a couple people have mentioned that I should have got them painted in white. I was at the body shop yesterday and was talking to them about getting the stone chips on the front nose piece fixed and some other little imperfections. So it was decided that in the spring the entire front will be repainted again...this time with a slightly different flame design as well.
So now I've got to figure out whether I want to keep the headlight pockets black or paint them white and go for the monochrome look. I would like to hear other opinions on this as I am on the fence about this one.
Currently my headlight pockets are gloss black. I like the black pockets but a couple people have mentioned that I should have got them painted in white. I was at the body shop yesterday and was talking to them about getting the stone chips on the front nose piece fixed and some other little imperfections. So it was decided that in the spring the entire front will be repainted again...this time with a slightly different flame design as well.
So now I've got to figure out whether I want to keep the headlight pockets black or paint them white and go for the monochrome look. I would like to hear other opinions on this as I am on the fence about this one.
#2
Member
I like the black headlight pockets.
I don't know why...but to me the body color ones just dont look right.
I don't know why...but to me the body color ones just dont look right.
#3
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 1LE
Engine: 355 CID HSR
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 for now
DO NOT PAINT. I think you should leave them black. Theres a kid out here that has a super nice custom blue paint job on his 86 and then he went out and painted the headlight pocket/louvers and certain dash pieces white and it looks terrrible. I have heard he now plans to go RED?! WTF? Anyways I think blacks the only color thet looks good. Those flames are what I showed everyone at shops when I was pricing out the paint job. Looks great!
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 IROC-Z
Engine: Superramed 355 w/ intercooled T72
Transmission: T56 -=- www.iroc-ss.com
Black.... this gets asked all the time and black always wins. I have yet to see a car with the pockets painted that looked right... JMHO
Trending Topics
#10
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow...not even a split decision here! Well, if I did decide to switch to body colour (still undecided though) it would be with the grill insert white as well. I'd probably go with the louvered insert instead of the one I have now. Something like this (pardon the bad photoshop)...
#12
Supreme Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Olean NY USA
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Camaro Z28/1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: 305 tpi/350tpi
Transmission: 700r4
I have to agree 100% w/ Jim85IROC. Its looks a he11 of alot better w/ the blk pockets and foglamp grill!!
#18
TGO Supporter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 IROC-Z Convertible
Engine: 408 Stroker Turbo, TPIS Mini Ram
Transmission: Magnum t-56
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.55
You guys are all STUPID!!!
YOu have to leave it black, lol =)
I personally think it looks awful white. Gloss Black =
YOu have to leave it black, lol =)
I personally think it looks awful white. Gloss Black =
#24
Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Missouri
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Black!! looks best on the white Camaro's IMO. BTW, why are you doing a diff flame design? I think yours looks pretty cool.
#25
Supreme Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Tallahassee, FL. USA
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: Tremec TKO
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73
I think it depends on the color of the car.
On a white car, I think they look best:
BLACK!
-Rich-
On a white car, I think they look best:
BLACK!
-Rich-
#28
TGO Supporter
Go with white and the white grill louvers!!! Screw the norm!!! That photochop looks great!!!
WHITE
[edit] Silver headlamp scoops look alright on a black car.
WHITE
[edit] Silver headlamp scoops look alright on a black car.
#30
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the responses guys. The huge votes in favour of the pockets staying black doesn't surprise me to be honest. I've still got lots of time to decide, but I will most likely keep the pockets black. I do like the louvered grill though and I think I will be switching to that.
NOW the question is, do I go with a gloss black grill or do I go with a body coloured grill?
NOW the question is, do I go with a gloss black grill or do I go with a body coloured grill?
#31
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Chesterfield, Indiana
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 Stage II
Axle/Gears: 3.23 For Now
Yeah, I'd say black.....to me.....they looked alot more pissed off when the headlight pockets are black!
#32
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Chesterfield, Indiana
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 Stage II
Axle/Gears: 3.23 For Now
I'm not sure if I would go with a gloss black though......depends what you like.......me.....I like the satin black look.....
#35
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Originally posted by CaysE
devian... is that avatar a picture of your hood? I'd like to see a full picture if it is.
devian... is that avatar a picture of your hood? I'd like to see a full picture if it is.
I don't think you want to see a picture of a stock hood.
#39
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: michigan
Posts: 13,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
your nuts to go with that grill..........every time i see it i imediately think daily driver or if nothing else definately RS....same for going body color on the pockets. your car looks very good the way it is; but it is your car.
just like SSaudios car........definately would assume it's an rs made to look like something else at first glance.
all a matter of opinon i suppose.
just like SSaudios car........definately would assume it's an rs made to look like something else at first glance.
all a matter of opinon i suppose.
#40
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Northern CA.
Posts: 5,321
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: '82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH400 4,000 stall
Axle/Gears: Currie 9", 4.56 gears
I had mine white for 2 years but about 3 months ago painted them black, looks much better now
#42
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think I'm getting the message here.
84CustomZ28: Gloss black only...I had the satin black before and hated it. The shiny gloss part goes much better with the rest of the car. I would only go back to the satin if I was trying to restore a car.
84CustomZ28: Gloss black only...I had the satin black before and hated it. The shiny gloss part goes much better with the rest of the car. I would only go back to the satin if I was trying to restore a car.
#43
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Chesterfield, Indiana
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 Stage II
Axle/Gears: 3.23 For Now
You can go with want you want.....it's your car.....to me...I just think that gloss black for the headlight pockets looks cheap. When you get it done, post of picture of it, that would be kewl.
#44
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Moved... GA still, more garage space!
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 87 Red/Blk Bird loaded 3.4L & 700R4
Transmission: Th700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Originally posted by CaysE
[B]Go with white and the white grill louvers!!! Screw the norm!!! That photochop looks great!!!
[B]
[B]Go with white and the white grill louvers!!! Screw the norm!!! That photochop looks great!!!
[B]
#45
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Woodstock, GA
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Trans Am
I would normally agree that black looks better, but to me the black around the headlights detracts from the graphics, which are more subtle. I personally would want to emphasize the graphics, and that would require the headlight pockets to match the car. If you had more of a stock look, I'd stay with black.
#46
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LT1guy: That was my original thinking...let the flames be the focal point. But I really don't think I like the body-coloured version, at least not with a white car.
84custom: Sorry man, I won't be swayed on that one. I had the satin finish and won't go back.
84custom: Sorry man, I won't be swayed on that one. I had the satin finish and won't go back.
#47
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: St Catharines, ON
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: '85 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
IROCKER: keep them black, and I also think you should keep them gloss black, I saw your car at the 2002 Camaro Nationals in Niagara Falls and it looked really sweet!
#48
Supreme Member
I like the white better. Especially with the painted grille. Everyone has black grilles. Of course you'd miss the fog lights, but I definately think the white is more appealing. The black makes your car look like it's got 2 black eyes, the white really makes your flames stand out, makes your front end look a lot cleaner and pristine, and like I said, not too many have colored grilles that I've noticed, so that stands out to me, right away.
Mathius
Mathius
#49
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
85_ZED28: Thanks.
Mathius: Thanks...I think I'm pretty much set on staying with the black pockets. But I do like the idea of the white grill...I think it would be more clean looking as well. We'll see.
Mathius: Thanks...I think I'm pretty much set on staying with the black pockets. But I do like the idea of the white grill...I think it would be more clean looking as well. We'll see.
#50
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: michigan
Posts: 13,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would think if you went with the 25th anniversary white style grill it would look exceptional...........go with the rs grille in white and you might as well paint your pockets white as well...
the reason so many have the black pockets is because they are associated with the z28's, irocs, or generally higher optioned thirdgen. most people try to get away from others thinking their car is an rs, but that isn't why you should do it. stock they came satin black........if you want it to stand out do gloss black...but typically the gloss black brings to much attention to the headlights and will deter from anything custom on the front hense the reason the factory didn't do it. but maybe that's why you want too?
on a personal note, the reason i didn't paint mine gloss black is mainly because it takes all focal point away from any custom paint job other than black.......but everyone has their opinions of course. in the sunlight gloss black brings a cheapness to a real nice paintjob, almost like a toy car as well as in a show room or at a indoor carshow it brings attention to things that typically shouldn't be focused on. it's also alot cheaper and easier to paint the pockets a solid color...........paint the black and do it well people are able to tell a good paintjob from an average.
but it is your car and you should do what you want with it, good luck with your choice.........by the way; when are the nationals held in canada over there?
the reason so many have the black pockets is because they are associated with the z28's, irocs, or generally higher optioned thirdgen. most people try to get away from others thinking their car is an rs, but that isn't why you should do it. stock they came satin black........if you want it to stand out do gloss black...but typically the gloss black brings to much attention to the headlights and will deter from anything custom on the front hense the reason the factory didn't do it. but maybe that's why you want too?
on a personal note, the reason i didn't paint mine gloss black is mainly because it takes all focal point away from any custom paint job other than black.......but everyone has their opinions of course. in the sunlight gloss black brings a cheapness to a real nice paintjob, almost like a toy car as well as in a show room or at a indoor carshow it brings attention to things that typically shouldn't be focused on. it's also alot cheaper and easier to paint the pockets a solid color...........paint the black and do it well people are able to tell a good paintjob from an average.
but it is your car and you should do what you want with it, good luck with your choice.........by the way; when are the nationals held in canada over there?