TotheMax

Hey guys, just got my smoke vinyl in today. Was planning on doing all my lights this weekend. Does anyone have any tips/tricks they would care to share?, i've never done this before lol

I have a heat gun, rapid tac, several different squeegees and an xacto knife. I have a 2x4 piece of the vinyl, i think that should be enough for all the lights granted i don't fcuk some sh!t up.

manutd

Ive done mine a couple of times, dont be afraid to pull up different parts of the vinyl even if it sits on the tail light perfectly. Dont be too worried about air bubbles they'll eventually go away (if its bubbles galore re-do it)

Dont be scared to pull it off, make sure you dont over heat the plastic because itll burn or tear in half when your stretching it.

potmilkz

for taillights,, work from the middle going out.. make sure when you cut the vinyl.. you give all sides about half an inch of extra vinyl.. just incase you need to wrap around..

Booya4139

This is great advice, especially the rear tails, the lights return into the trunk with a sharp angle, make sure you have enough to wrap into the return.

I had a pro do my red vinyl tails, but i was curious so i watched him do it.

You should be fine. Good luck

TotheMax

I appreciate the advice! I will try and post a few pics, i'm not doing anything to crazy. The vinyl is very light smoke, i hope it's barely noticeable however giving the rear that ever so slight "mod" especially after shaving the badges off.

potmilkz

also.. please take the tailight out before you do it.. makes going around the edges much easier.. and its really not that hard to take the tailights out.. i can do it in less than 5 mins.. all you have to do is peel back the trunk lining and remove 3 bolts.

TotheMax

I just might do that, depends on how hard it is. I do want it to look legit, I ordered all the tools required to get into the crevices but if they don't work out well i'll take the light out. I know it's not hard, i've done it before

potmilkz

it is just easier and cleaner to do it with the lights off the car...

this way you dont get rapid tac liquid all over the paint of your car..

TotheMax

Do i need to worry about the rapid tac as far as the paint/clear coat go?

potmilkz

as a detailer i would advise you to take it off the part and do it separately..

TotheMax

wow! so i failed miserably with the vinyl, it's much harder to do then i thought lol...

Either i'm gonna get it professionally done or i'll go the plasti dip route

Thanks for your help & advice!

Mr Marco

What does this thread have to do with the 4G TL?

Could you post some pics of the project?

potmilkz

dont plastdip your tails.. it looks like shit.. just my personal opinion..

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

OP, did you buy the pre-cut kit or a standard sheet?

For those who have done their tails what would you recommend? If the pre-cut, does it wrap around the edges?

Also, why do you need the rapid tac if the vinyl has adhesive backing?

Thanks in advance.

TotheMax

I ended up buying a standard sheet as it was way cheaper than the pre-cut. I also figured the pre-cut wouln't wrap around the edges. And yes, rapid tac is recommended even with the adhesive backing.

I failed miserably so best of luck with this lol... i might give it another go though

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

I'm surprised you found the sheet to be cheaper. I measured the tail light last night and figured 12" x 32" sheet would be needed for each (though a 9" x 30" might suffice). Even the 9" x 30" is $30 each though and I found the pre-cut set for $55.

Hopefully someone can chime in on the fitment of the pre-cut. I would think it's gotta be sized to go around the edges.

I watched a guy do my grille a while back. It looked pretty difficult (and the results were far from perfect) but I'd imagine the tail light is much easier, so I'm gonna take a stab at it.

potmilkz

ive attempted the tail lights twice.. and both of the times... it did wrap.. but it had soo much bubbles that i couldnt get rid of.. so i said fuck it.. and diy painted the tail lights..

now its nice and glossy

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

Damn, you're likely much more handy than I am so that's not good news. Your lights look great but I don't know if I could get mine to look that good, and I also like the idea of being able to remove the vinyl if I ever decided to.

Ah, decisions decisions...

Booya4139

I originally bought the precut lamin-x red vinyl tails and failed in epic style trying to work all the angles, don't feel bad, goto a tint shop they will do an amazing job. Don't even think of plastidipping it.

Booya4139

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

Looks good booya! If you don't mind me asking, how much did the tint shop charge you? Also, did they have the red vinyl on hand and if so do you know if it was lamin-x?

I-Four

i did the pre-cut lamin-x and it does overlap. You have to take your time with the lamin-x to get it to overlap just right.

Booya4139

$80, he had the red vinyl on hand, took him about 45 minutes. I had the same guy do my carbon xp tint a few months before. I feel like the stuff he put on was thicker than the lamin x only from feeling the difference in the reverse cutout, but they might be the same. It has been really durable through washings and snow etc.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

I called the place I got my tint done after seeing your post, and they charge $85. Unfortunately they don't carry the red though so I'll probably just try to tackle it myself.

AntSauce

iTrader: (2)

I bought the precut red vinyl on EBay and paid the local tint guy $20 to put it on. Looks great!