In my effort to continue to contribute to the community. Here is my tutorial on how to install a beltline blackout kit.

http://www.russellcory.com/blog/?page_id=19#Project2

Feel free to give me any feedback, I am trying to improve these tutorials as I go along.

Thanks!

 

clockwise or counter-clockwise? haha.

thanks for the DIY instructions. the pre-cut using masking tape makes it much easier.

 

I reccomend counter clockwise, so you can stick it to the man!

 

and i thought that i was the only one that like's peeling sunburnt tissue Good write up's

 

I wish I would've read this months ago. I left the layer of clear film on and now in the L.A. summer sun it is cracking all over. I can peel up tiny spots, but it is not easy. Any ideas on how to remove the film now after it's been in place for sooo long?

 

Good question. I'd say that it's best to remove all the tape and do it over.

Or, you could just sit there very patiently until you pick it all off. I used my X-acto blade to get the peel started. Perhaps if you can get one of the ends started it would come off in a complete strip.

Let us all know what you end up doing, I'll bet someone else has the same problem…

 

I spoke with a friend of mine who does vinyl. He suggested that you gently heat the covering plastic with a hairdryer or heat gun. Don't overheat! It should make the plastic covering a little more pliable and likely to come off in larger chunks. At least thats what he said…

 

hair dryer or a hot summer day (they're coming to a close you know...)

 

RussellCory, you may also want to mention to not stretch the tape so than it doesn't put stretch marks in it. MINInurse has blacked out 5 MINIs now, I believe, and has gotten pretty good at it.

Nice job on the DIYs

 

Thanks! I'll add that to the tutorial.

 

Ok, the tutorial has been updated. Thanks for the feedback! I knew that there would be steps I'd do but forget to write down…

 

auto body depot has this for about $30

3M SCOTCHCAL Custom Striping Tape + For profesional use in matching existing stripes or creating original stripe designs. + Fabricated from durable, colorfast 3M Scotchcal Film designed to resist chemicals and gasoline. + See 3M Scotchcal Striping Tape Color Availability Grid for color selection. Please note that not all colors are available in every size. COLOR: LOW GLOSS BLACK 1/2 in. x 150 ft., Single Stripe

 

Good source! Although 150 ft is a lot of tape…

 

funny... i just blacked out my mini this weekend... took about 1 hour because i have absolutely no coordination.

i used the 3M scotchcal pinstriping tape, i got it on ebay for $23... 150 ft is a lot of tape, but i did several panels twice because i had bubbles...

and i was super confused at first too because of that darn clear tape over it... i thought i got bad pinstriping tape so i unraveled a bunch and threw it out.

either way, cheap mod and it instantly makes the mini look better!

also, you did a great write up too! thanks for posting it here...

 

Glad I was able to help!