Open framed hatch...how to finish inset taillights?

[Juneaudave]

I mounted the taillights and license plate holder on the back of the SlumberMAX this weekend...the lights and plate I chose needed to be drilled into the hatch, which has exposed spars...



So now on the underside of the hatch...I've got unsightly holes and bolts sticking through. I'm sure my wiring expertise will add to the beauty of what is sure to look like a mess...



So...for those open spar hatch builders...how did you finish? Or did you? I'd like some elegant inspiration here...please oh please...Pics would be appreciated!!!

[dhazard]

I would make a wooden cover and install galley lights and a towel holder to hide it.

[Juneaudave]

Thanks Dan, good idea...I don't have hatch lights yet...I was sort of thinking individual covers as opposed to something that stretches acroos the entire hatch. But I'm having a hard time visualizing...including the best way for the taillight wiring to pass through the bulk head. I'm pretty sure I can build it if I can figure out how I want it to look.

[Wolffarmer]

I am thinking if you want to leave it open to keep the weight down and to show the construction I would make the bolts short enough to use acorn nuts on. To hide the wires maybe route some channels in wood strips.

Though the back of the lights is going to be hard to hide. Maybe a light weight wooden box inbetween the spars?

[aggie79]

Don't want to create a lot of work for you, but you might do some removable inset panels using woven cane like your shelves on the interior.

[madjack]

Dave, this is not the best pic but just the one I could run down...


the section the bottom(top of pic) of the hatch was boxed in to both contain the light and latch hardware...the panelede section in the center was to hide the wiring...you could build boxes to hide the hardware and give a place to mount additional interior lighting and either use wire loom to hide/dress up the wiring runs...you could also build a wooden conduit to hide the wiring...not as clean as "nothing" but since you have the lights in the hatch, you will havvta come up with something......
madjack

[Juneaudave]

Good Ideas!!!! Nicer hardware or carry the caning theme with inset panels!!! I didn't think of either of those and either would work!!!!!

[Nitetimes]

Too late, ya already drilled the holes.

[/url]

[Juneaudave]

Too late, ya already drilled the holes.

[/url]

Smartass...I debated for months about those lights and drilling those holes...But ya know...once you drill the first one...your kinda SOL aren't ya!!!!

[Nitetimes]

Too late, ya already drilled the holes.

Smartass...I debated for months about those lights and drilling those holes...But ya know...once you drill the first one...your kinda SOL aren't ya!!!!

Yup ya sure be SOL now!! They do look good on the outside tho!! I kinda like the cane idea someone mentioned.

[bobhenry]

I am thinking if you want to leave it open to keep the weight down and to show the construction I would make the bolts short enough to use acorn nuts on. To hide the wires maybe route some channels in wood strips.

Though the back of the lights is going to be hard to hide. Maybe a light weight wooden box inbetween the spars?

I liked this idea there are a few things these little decorative boxes could do for you ac and dc galley lighting ~speaker housings ~ tissue . napkin or paper towl dispenser. Dang it ya got me thinkin about my rat nest of wires under my hatch guess I have another project now.

[xrover]

How about a checkerboard them instead of open spars? Match the light and dark wood on the outside by covering up the spar sections with alternating dark and light wood.

[bdosborn]

I/8" plywood skin on the inside of the hatch?



Bruce

[Ken A Hood]

What about mounting a plaque with the build date where the plate bolts are; as for the wiring there's wire loom available in several different colors (at least it would dress up the exposed wiring.)

[halfdome, Danny]

Dave, I use 50 Pontiac tail lights too. I do fill my hatch with insulation and then a sheet of 1/8" plywood with 6" x 6" pieces of ply for removable covers. You could make 1/8' covers just for the areas you want to hide with a screw in each corner for bulb replacement. Maybe just cover the very lower portion all the way across so it's not so obvious but removable. The lights look great. Danny