When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
When you vinyl wrapped your window trim, did you just wrap the chrome or did you also cover the black area below the trim and above the window?
Yes, I covered it all and pushed in with the felt side of the plastic tool. There's a slight indent, but looks nice.
I meant to post closer photos. I debated it but felt there would be cleaner lines to cover the plastic as well. Because it would add to the difficulty and you'd be sure to slice through the current chrome. Same goes for the back door plastic panels.
When you wrapped, did you use one piece of vinyl per door and then cut off the excess or did you use some rectangular pieces?
I used separate pieces. Plus you're going to cut them between the doors anyway. BUT for the rear door, on the corners, I used one piece. (I applied the one piece and then cut the innerds, then applied it perfectly. So technically 3 pieces used for the rear doors. I'm actually making a bunch of precut/measured strips for the 2014+ IS models. Should be ready in about 3 weeks. Let me know if you're interested.
I always appreciated the piano black trim on BMWs and wanted to black out the chrome trim. I don't dislike the chrome, but piano black looks nice when done right. Picked up a huge roll of 3M 1080 Black Gloss vinyl and got to work. First window took about 3 tries to get right. (This was my first vinyl anything.) It saves time to apply the trim to all windows all at once, and then do your cutting and heat gun all in one stroke. Instead of applying film, perfecting, recutting the vinyl,... you get the idea. I have one of those ABN Felt Edge Decal Squeegee 4 Inch from Amazon and after tucking in the sides firmly, it began to cut on it's own. Assuming from the tight spaces I guess.
The tops of all the windows are ten times easier than the lower portions. And if you align the tops just right to the edge, you don't have to cut the topside. Also, on the upper parts, I ended up doing the chrome trim AND the plastic trim underneath. As there is hardly any room to get any cut in there or the plastic piece. Plus a gloss piece right next to a matt finish wouldn't look the best.
CONS: I notice imperfections up close near the car. Heat gun didn't do any wonders except corners, but you have to mold while still warm. When sitting inside the car, I notice ripples or areas where the vinyl didn't adhere, but not sure how else to do it as I tried to fix already. There are about 3 panels that I will be re-installing on to lessen the defects. From the photos, far away, or to the average joe, it looks good. But it's ten times better than any plasti-dip I've seen.
If anyone knows how to remove the window trim, I'll buy you a beer, as this would make the install so much "simpler" and give a cleaner appearance.
Came out good man, did you by any chance vinyl over the rubber on the chrome trim around the windows?
That looks great! You made me want to do mine. I went ahead did the front grill and it turned out great. When I have time I will do the window trims. It's a lot easier than I thought and it just takes patience!
That looks great! You made me want to do mine. I went ahead did the front grill and it turned out great. When I have time I will do the window trims. It's a lot easier than I thought and it just takes patience!
That looks great! You made me want to do mine. I went ahead did the front grill and it turned out great. When I have time I will do the window trims. It's a lot easier than I thought and it just takes patience!
Did you take out the chrome surround or did the vinyl on the vehicle as is?
03-26-17, 08:20 PM
