jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Title says it all... I need some tips

I just tried to install my passenger side tail light overlay and something went horribly wrong.

I followed the instructions to the T. After cleaning the surface of the tail light and spraying it with soapy water, I dunked the overlay into the soapy water bucket and placed it on my tail light.

Once I lined everything up, I started to use a MF towel and a plastic card to push the soapy water and air bubbles out. I quickly noticed that the overlay didn't seem to conform to the tail light! 1, it was a little larger (fine, the instructions said some trimming might be involved) and 2, around the curve, there was too much overlay and it started to overlap! I tried push out the crease but the film had already stuck together. I ended up scraping the passenger side overlay and didn't attempt the driver side tail light.

What did I do wrong? Is there a trick to the curve?

Bearcat94

But I feel ya, man.

I butchered mine too. I gave up.

Did you get the ones with the cut-outs? ('07/'08 base style, I guess they'd be).

I'm either going to do nothing or Night Shades.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ No I got the full tint (light shade).

MAN so frustrating. People make it seem so simple...

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

you probaly got the cheap thin film which no kind of film ur suppose to dunk into water the film i got from stickerscity.com had adhesive so all u have to do is make sure ur hands are clean and spray alot of water on the film when ur trying to line it up on the taillight once u line it up then u get a sqeegee or plastic card and wipe all the air bubbles off

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ I don't think BBM uses cheap film... especially since it was $40!

blkaspec

i did the cut-out version and it was a bitch, the hardest of all the lights. i used a hair dryer to help soften the vinyl and make it more conforming. i tried to start at one corner and then work diagonal to the opposite side. i found it easier to use my fingers instead of a card. after i was done i had a few bubbles, so i filled a syringe with soapy water and injected them in the bubbles, then i used the hair dryer again to heat things up and then i pressed out the bubbles with my fingers. i did it on a cooler day in the garage, if i did it again i would do it on a hot day in the sun. overall, heat was the key. without it things just work go well.

blkaspec

the thread i started when i put mine on:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/my-blue-batmobile-overlays-teaser-now-639197/

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

^ Lame. I guess I'll try the driver's side tomorrow (~62F) and if that works, I will see if Andrew will let me just order the passenger side overlay.

blkaspec

and just to warn you, if you decide to use your fingers as a rubbing tool be aware that damage may occur to your finger tips. i had blisters on a thumb and finger from constant rubbing against the vinyl with a hair dryer pointed at it. so use the card when possible, and switch fingers every once and a while. good luck!

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

OK thanks. Is a hair dryer necessary for the tails?

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

well i dnt know what quality bbm is but the sheets i bought for 100 and i was able to do 4 pairs of tailights, its the best film ever witht the adhesive

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

i used a hair dryer i first cut out a square piece just enough to cover evry inch of the taillight. then i sprayed it with alot of water like evry 10 seconds, align it the way i want and then i took a rubber sqeegee and pressed away the water bubbles, using ur finger is just gonna make the bubbles spread and evn worse

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

and after that just take ur time and cut around the extra film, its really hard espacially when ur hand starts shaking. but ive installed film on over 20 cars, but i got better at it the first few times were practice

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

and for my headlights i didnt put fil across the whole headlight because i did it before and it dimmed my headlight at night really bad even when i have 10000k bulbs so what i di is just cut the film just enough to cover the orange lens, and i didnt cut it straight i circled around the ballistic, it looks really good if u guys wanna check it out its on car domain

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3312727

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

i want to see your messed up attempt, lol

blkaspec

my issue with using a card was that it was very easy to press too hard or to bunch up the film which would then make it stick to itself. and then you have a new problem of getting the pieces un-stuck. i like the finger approach because you can actually feel the bubbles and its easier to work them out with finesse rather than brawn. but whatever works best for you is the method you should use.

StYLeZz101

i juss tried installing the roof overlay...and let just say im staying with my ssm roof....i messed it up sooooooo bad...i had the roof wet so the vinyl cud be moved into position but the backing got wet and when i was trying to peel it off the backing some parts came off and other parts retained the white backing...i got a razor blade and began getting the backing off then i put a couple holes into the vinyl...so i juss scraped it all..every where i went sed that they dont do that type of install or they dont wanna do it b/c its 2 piece and dont want to mess the cut up....the join would have been goin down the car from front to back..so now im just thinkin about having it painted...this one place sed that they would do it but they dont recommend the 2 piece install becuase from washing the car over and over the join might start to flare up and peel apart....and told me to try to get it as one entire sheet so there goes $88

jweb12

iTrader: (2)

Anytime you're trying to "wrap" something curved, it's tricky. I ordered BBM's side mirror turn signal overlays and planned on doing it myself. Figured I used to be able to do my own window tinting in the past so it should be relatively easy. It just so happened that I had to get my windows re-tinted (at the request of Baltimore's finest) so while I was at the shop I asked them to put the overlays on. They were familiar with BBM's products. Anyway, even using a steam gun, there was no way the overlays would go on perfectly. For the signal lenses, there's just too much curvature to get a completely clean fit. They did a good job, way better than I could have done, but there are still small creases/folds around the edges of the corners.

With the tail lights it should be easier since the compound curves aren't as tight as the signal lenses. I think the material has a lot to do with it also. Something that has some stretch to it, when hit with some heat, will do much better getting around the corners.

Try asking mmade. If I remember correctly, he did some tails for another member and they came out perfect from the pictures he posted. Not sure what he used though.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Shut up Tom. I already rolled up the vinyl and tossed it. Haha no residue on my tails though.
Maybe you can help me out since you're local

If I can get my driver side tail overlay on good, then I'll order the other side. If not, I guess I just wasted $42
Well I tried to use the card more so maybe thats why I had the film bunch up on me. Lame
Ouch man that sucks. I can't imagine having to squeegee the entire roof!
Hmmm I really want the tinted tails but I gotta figure this process out. Gonna try again on Friday in my friend's garage with a hair dryer.

It really doesn't look hard AT ALL but I guess looks can be deceiving.

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

Vht night shade FTW

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

yea ill help u just let me know when i pm'ed u my number did u get it i wanted to meet up with u guys in rolling meadows on sunday if u didnt get my number let me know ill give it to u again

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

JM, I'm sorry I didn't see your thread earlier. I put the 1/2 tints on my headlights and didn't have any problems. Don't use any towel at all when getting out any bubbles. Just use a straight edge along with with the hair dryer. My tints were also alittle large, but I just wrapped it around the edge of the lens-it worked OK. The hair dryer is the key because it not only helps take out bubbles, but it also helps curve the tint around the lens itself.


By the way, the BlueBat tints are good quality...you can do it !!!

2009 Kansas City All Acura Meet-May 17th
https://acurazine.com/forums/midwest-312/kansas-city-2009-spring-all-acura-meet-may-17th-12pm-%40-jay-wolfe-acura-714994/

swttl1985

iTrader: (5)

if ur gonna reorder the tint order it from stickercity.com and get either the pre cut or the sheets and ill help u put them on no prob

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Hmm we'll see how Friday goes. If everything works out and I'm happy with it, I'll stick to BBM since I don't want the tint shades to be off. Plus he's a vendor and we gotta support them!

Is Andrew on holiday or something? Bat, if you're reading this, respond to my email!!

Blue Batmobile

Hope I took care of ya . If not, give me a call again. I use a 5-7 Year High Performance Vinyl for all of my applications guys .

Bat

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Andy, tried it again and got it almost on but I think I stretched the edges too much.

Gave up. I still have one good overlay but I'm just gonna have my tint guy do it at his shop... price is about the same.

Bubz

iTrader: (1)

Sometimes thats the best.

Just have a Tint shop do it.

jmkiang

iTrader: (5)

Yeah I just wish I thought of that first.

$50+ BBM overlays + $50 tint shop = $100+ for tail light overlays ...

Snipeshow21

I emailed in reference to getting some tint overlays and did not get a response. How should I go about getting the overlays?