Notices
Lighting A place to ask questions about HIDs & other Lexus lights
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Red-out Vinyl Tails...Pics inside

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 4, 2008 | 07:03 PM
  #1  
Lexus Ave's Avatar
Lexus Ave
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default Red-out Vinyl Tails...Pics inside

Hey guys,

I have a Coach edition RX300...just installed red-out vinyls today. Took me HOURS to do due to the curvature of the outer RX tails (the inners were a snap...only took about 5mins each). The final tail-light which i admit I did after being considerably fatigued did not come out quite as clean as the other 3 applications. They seem like tiny wrinkles/bubbles as the vinyl just would NOT cling with the light without folding midway leaving an air pocket of sorts due to the curvature (thanks Lexus )

Anyway here are the pics...maybe someone with some prior experience can let me know if this will go away after a week or two if I should just peel it off and get someone else to do it for me.
Attached Thumbnails Red-out Vinyl Tails...Pics inside-img_1139.jpg  
Reply
Old May 4, 2008 | 08:07 PM
  #2  
timucla's Avatar
timucla
Driver
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default

From my experience, those creases and bubbles are too large to go away by themselves. If that was mine I'd take it off and do it again. From the sound of it you did a good job on the other 3. Start fresh when you're not tired and try it again.
Reply
Old May 4, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #3  
Lexus Ave's Avatar
Lexus Ave
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Originally Posted by timucla
From my experience, those creases and bubbles are too large to go away by themselves. If that was mine I'd take it off and do it again. From the sound of it you did a good job on the other 3. Start fresh when you're not tired and try it again.
Do you know if I can re-try with the same vinyl? (With the creases/bubbles) and mend it? Or would I need a new one for sure?
Reply
Old May 4, 2008 | 08:50 PM
  #4  
Lexus Ave's Avatar
Lexus Ave
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

I just realized why it was such a huge problem with the curves. For those viewing this thread in the future...you need to make a CUT to do this mod efficiently!

http://reviews.ebay.com/LEXUS-IS350-...00000006298173
Reply
Old May 5, 2008 | 01:15 AM
  #5  
sdmob's Avatar
sdmob
Rookie
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: ca
Default

If I were you, I'd start over with:

A spray bottle of soapy water, with a squeegee handy. spray the tail to give it a film of soapy water, take the vinyl and with a heatgun/blow dryer, start heating up the vinyl so that it can be stretched to accommodate for the curves, then squeegee the bubbles and creases out. it takes a few tries/curse words, but the finished product will be worth it.
Reply
Old May 5, 2008 | 10:44 AM
  #6  
ExTrEmE99's Avatar
ExTrEmE99
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 14
From: SoCal/NorCal
Default

Try heating the vinyl and let one corner dry at a time and then do it slowly. Work with the vinyl and stretch it, if it needs it. Dont be afraid to use a lot of water because it will only dry and make it easier on your install job.

Dont give up until its perfect.
Reply
Old May 16, 2008 | 08:27 AM
  #7  
Brian231's Avatar
Brian231
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,101
Likes: 2
From: Candyland
Default

Originally Posted by ExTrEmE99
Try heating the vinyl and let one corner dry at a time and then do it slowly. Work with the vinyl and stretch it, if it needs it. Dont be afraid to use a lot of water because it will only dry and make it easier on your install job.

Dont give up until its perfect.
This is exactly what I was thinkning based on the picture. I would start with the top right corner of the right tail. Heat it up and smooth it out. You may have to remove the whol vinyl sheet iteslf. you may want a second person to slightly hold the non applied part and keep tension on it to avoid the creases.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SILVRLININ
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
14
Jan 31, 2011 08:44 PM
FuMoFFuTT
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
23
Mar 23, 2010 04:50 PM
miniround
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
6
Sep 11, 2007 10:22 PM
tennistodd
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
26
Jan 18, 2007 05:22 AM
nysupraman
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
20
Jun 16, 2006 03:56 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:14 PM.