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When I had my TL I sprayed the mirror lenses with the same stuff I used to smoke my stock tails. It was simple and cheap and it looked good imho. I had a WDP TL so I only did it lightly. Sorry, no pictures.
Not quite the same topic, but has anyone else had an issue with discoloring around the outside of the sideview mirrors (on the glass itself)? Im wondering if it was from the previous owner leaving the heated mirrors on...
Not quite the same topic, but has anyone else had an issue with discoloring around the outside of the sideview mirrors (on the glass itself)? Im wondering if it was from the previous owner leaving the heated mirrors on...
The heated mirrors shut off after a certain time...just like the rear window defogger so that's not the cause of discoloring...the cause is they're older...
Finally got around to installing the smoke LaminX on the mirror turn signals! Sorry for the long wait.
The Lamin-X went on easliy with a little bit of heat. The whole process (both sides), took about 30 mins to prep, lay, and trim. My friend who owns a vinyl company sourced the material and did the install with me, so I'm sure his experience helped. What impressed me the most was how the Lamin-X seems to completely restore the light below. the hazy look completely disappeared and the light now looks crystal clear.
YES! Plus, I get some condensation inside when it rains, and the vinyl seems to help!
I actually tried using some old vinyl that was too thick and hard to mold. I ordered some much easier and better stuff now...
Looks amazing and yes, makes it glossy cause it's like you added a 2 mil layer of clear.
I may use the same vinyl over the fog lights to prevent a rock taking the glass out.
I may use the same vinyl over the fog lights to prevent a rock taking the glass out.
Definitely put something on them! I had my passenger foglight smashed by a gravel truck on the highway. Picked up my $300 (CAN) OEM replacement. It'll go in once the gravel gets swept up.
Damn Alex, that one looks like it matches the sidemarkers perfectly. I bought some that doesn't match at all. Looks too brown. I need to find a lamin-x installer nearby.
Damn Alex, that one looks like it matches the sidemarkers perfectly. I bought some that doesn't match at all. Looks too brown. I need to find a lamin-x installer nearby.
That sucks! I didn't source this myself, so I don't have much to go off, but I believe we bought 'tint' which is their lightest colored material. From the website, you may have gone with gunsmoke? it looks a little brown to me.
As far as getting an installer, this is honestly super easy. I've worked with a bit of vinyl, and can lean heavily on my friend who owns the design/vinyl company, but with a heat gun and some patience, you could definitely do this yourself. Here's a rough DIY. You need:
Lamin-X
credit-card with lint-free towel (or similar tool)
heat gun
sharp (new) razor blade
cut more material than you need by a couple inches on each side (this lets you position and stretch without getting fingerprints under the part you put over the lens). clean the lens and surrounding area with all purpose auto or glass cleaner. Apply and press down in the center to seat the material. apply heat, and work from the inside out until all sides/edges are pressed down. trim carefully with the sharp razor (you don't have to cut all the way through Lamin-X. if it's scored, it will tear along those lines). remove excess. re-heat the Lamin-X remaining, and re-stick all edges. Done. Let rest for 48 hours before washing.
Last, Lamin-X can take a ton of heat, unlike regular sticker/overlay vinyl. My friend and I figured that a good rule is to place your hand next to the area your heating. Once your hand starts to feel the burn, then the Lamin-X is ready to be applied.
Well, I certainly appreciate the advice. I've laid SOME down before, but not often. I actually bought some oracle vinyl, which isn't bad and stretches into place without heat, even...although I'm sure heat would help.
I talked to my buddy that paints and he tints clear with some black and said he should be able to match the sidemarkers so I'll let him give it a whirl first. If that fails...I'll follow up with the lamin-x for sure. Yours match PERFECTLY!
just figured it out...you can order them in a roll...much more affordable than the pre-cut stuff that you better get right the first time! I don't mind sharpee and cutting!
Thanks, man...
another question, how much did you tuck and how much did you leave? I tried wrapping over the entire edge and it seems like it's way too tight when being pressed in which kinda forces some material out.
I might order a roll and just go this route and also do the fog glass.
for sure! I didn't even know they did pre-cut pieces for this lens. We have a vinyl whole-saler (sp?) in town, and were able to buy just a couple square feet off a roll.
we tucked nothing. we did it as I mentioned above, starting with an extra couple inches in all directions, pressing it down all the way to the edge of the reflector, and then trimmed it exactly on the line between the lens and the painted mirror.the trimming took the longest, since it needed to be perfect, and that's why I suggest a brand new blade.
LMK if you have any questions during the process, if you decide to go this route.
Thanks, man...Gotcha, that's what I'll do then too...trim exactly to the edge!
No, I meant I originally searched by car and found the pre-cut for the fogs and/or tails...but if they cut them for you, they're $50 for tails and $15 for fogs...whereas 4"x30' is only $30.
If I do go this route, I'll definitely post it here. Kinda making me doubt having them sprayed now since it's not guaranteed to be the right shade and the laminx is.
01-31-2016, 02:24 PM
Looks too brown. I need to find a lamin-x installer nearby.
I didn't source this myself, so I don't have much to go off, but I believe we bought 'tint' which is their lightest colored material. From the website, you may have gone with gunsmoke? it looks a little brown to me. 
