How to apply red outs?
05-13-10, 09:41 AM
#18
1. Make sure your taillights are perfectly clean. Right after a car wash is a good time. If you're OCD like me, you could use the Meguiar's headlight restoration kit or some Plexus to polish the plastic surface of your taillights.
2. Use lots of water+baby shampoo from a spray bottle to lubricate both the taillights AND the adhesive side of the vinyl. This will allow you to move the redout over the surface so you can line it up perfectly. Don't take too long because it will start to stick as the water dries up. Also, do not touch the adhesive side with your fingers as it could lead to fingerprints.
3. I would NOT use a squeegee/credit card to apply the vinyl - I recommend using a microfiber cloth instead. I used the squeegee (same thing as a credit card) and it scratched the surface of the vinyl as I was pressing it down.
4. Make sure the vinyl is flush with your tailights as it dries. Because the surface of the taillight is curved, you need to keep holding the vinyl to the taillight until it adheres. Otherwise, you'll have the edges stick up.
I probably made this sound a lot harder than it is - it's a 10 minutes mod though.
2. Use lots of water+baby shampoo from a spray bottle to lubricate both the taillights AND the adhesive side of the vinyl. This will allow you to move the redout over the surface so you can line it up perfectly. Don't take too long because it will start to stick as the water dries up. Also, do not touch the adhesive side with your fingers as it could lead to fingerprints.
3. I would NOT use a squeegee/credit card to apply the vinyl - I recommend using a microfiber cloth instead. I used the squeegee (same thing as a credit card) and it scratched the surface of the vinyl as I was pressing it down.
4. Make sure the vinyl is flush with your tailights as it dries. Because the surface of the taillight is curved, you need to keep holding the vinyl to the taillight until it adheres. Otherwise, you'll have the edges stick up.
I probably made this sound a lot harder than it is - it's a 10 minutes mod though.
Last edited by brociouz; 05-13-10 at 09:44 AM.
05-13-10, 09:50 AM
#19
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Should've helped me install it... Took me over an hour to do it, and by no means is it perfect 
. I think i did everything wrong, touched the adhesive and scratched up the surface with the supplied squeegee. I should learn to be more gentle.
. I think i did everything wrong, touched the adhesive and scratched up the surface with the supplied squeegee. I should learn to be more gentle.
05-13-10, 09:59 AM
#20
Treat this application just like window tint. If you need to touch the adhesive side of the film, spray your hand first with the soap/water solution. This prevents the oil from your fingers ruining the adhesive.
Also, use the "credit card" squeegee wrapped with a paper towel or microfiber cloth to prevent the hard surface of the card scratching the surface of the vinyl.
Good luck with the redouts!
Also, use the "credit card" squeegee wrapped with a paper towel or microfiber cloth to prevent the hard surface of the card scratching the surface of the vinyl.
Good luck with the redouts!
05-13-10, 12:31 PM
#22
Same rule as applying a clear bra, spray the adhesive side and the surface of the vinyl film during the squeegeeing process to eliminate all liquid and air bubbles to ensure a long lasting stick. By spraying the surface and wrapping the squeegee in a towel (preferbly those blue ones) it will not scratch the vinyl and make it much easier to work with =)
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