kingjoker

so in a sunny afternoon. I decided to do my first DIY vinyl wrapped with a friend's help. neither of us have done it before beside watching some youtube. All I know was to unload the bumper to take out the peak and then wrapped the peak with the vinyl. sound easy in theory as I guess that's the best entry DIY mod for newb like me.


The tool I used was a $15 heat gun, garage towel, medical alcohol solution mix with water, soap water, a square blade, a crossectional screw driver, and some cheap gross black vinyl which I rushed to get in only a hour.

so first was to drop the bumper, three screws on each side of the rear wheel well were actually pretty easy to find. After took them out, then applied force inside out from the wheel well direction to the back of the car to "peel off" the bumper. then the bumper with start opening up like a ziplop bag. pushed out the center after pealing off both side, I could see the other side of the peak.


It took us a while to unclipped the peak as they hooked up pretty tight, but we got it out. clean it with soap water and wipe it again with alcohol/water solution. then we start wrapping.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingoke...in/photostream



we straightened the vinyl and apply it on the peak while at the same time scratched out the bubble and the other wrinkle area to make sure no air in between. heat gun was used to soften and stretched the material as for the same objective. very time consuming. but need to get them done all at once. Also, heating gun can not apply onto the vinyl for too long or else it will burst/burned.

After all, we cut out the extra area and it's finally done!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingoke...in/photostream

It was a fun process, I am very excited after seeing the finished look. actually not too bad at all.


I wish this experience will be able to help some others out there if they want to save the money and do the mod themselves. At the mean time I would like to take out the front grill without dropping the bumper, as I saw someone did it on youtube. anyone kind enough to share their experience(photo would be great)? or it's actually not possible.

Anyways, thanks for reading.

kingjoker

photo doesn't work for me, someone please help again. :P

r3tro23

^likewise

Mr Marco

+


Looks great!
Next time we take the Ferry to Orcas we will head a little further north and see it in person.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

Looks great! I've got my front grille / surround wrapped in vinyl. It was very tough to do because of all the bends. The rear trim looks like it would be much easier.

LawnPro

Am I seeing this correct.... you have a shawd without the rear trunk spoiler?

EkSoni

iTrader: (2)

That looks really nice & guess its a non tech shawd just curious I never understood why people wouldn't want a luxury car with the tech goodies? Not hatin just curious

kingjoker

Thanks, welcome anytime, in fact I was down to Portland couple months ago.


hah yah, that's why I choose that spot. just attempted the front grill last night, big failed, and scratched the grill

It is sh-awd base, just don't want to spend $3000+ more for a rear camera and a push button. plus I didn't like the trunk lid and I got a GPS. I have spent those money onto my rims and springs and someother stuff :P

ANDYCHULOSKI09

oh damn that sucks bro tech was a must for me !!

potmilkz

here is a list of stuff you get with tech
Rear Spoiler
Reverse Camera
Navigation
Voice Recognition
ELS sound system
Keyless entry system
Push Start
Premium Leather

jhomay2000

Yup! that's a good info.

PeterPort

Looks great! I had been considering doing this with my Acura, but the stock look has grown on me since I picked up my car.

SexyTL

It was wrapped and not painted?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Good job-it looks great on a black TL.

Randy2815

Tech package is a must. Well worth the $$. Car looks strange w/out trunk lid.

djtanveer

Nice work. It looks good.

sham

I agree 100% about not needing the Tech package. I know how to back up without hitting stuff (been doing it for 13 years now), and I rarely use any of the other tech stuff. Keyless entry? Haha the remote is quite easy. But, if I had $3k burning a hole in my pocket, I'd have no problem spending it on extras.

TX_BB

I know this is an old thread, but...

Bought the dark chrome rear trim on ebay today. Do I really have to remove the rear bumper to do this?

Anyone have a PDF or step by step pics of the removal?

Also bought the front dark chrome grille and found the DIY on YouTube...that one doesn't look too hard.

Thanks!

meh

Nice! How is it holding up?

Icedub03

Nice!!