I know that Lyle does Amazing work, but me being on a college budge :P (literally, i barley have enough money for food :(.

was thinking about purchasin some vinyl from http://www.signsupply.com/Index_Ordway.asp
and was wondering if any of you guys who've worked with vinyl could give me some tips... which vinyl to buy and like, anything that would be helpful.

Was thinking about blacking out the the front rings, as well as the tail light rings.

thanks!

 

I too am a student and am quite low on funds... I have the sport stripe on my Cooper and it wasn't too bad. The stripe itself came from Cooperflags.com and was reasonably priced. After spending the money for the flag there was no way I was going to try to install it myself and potentially waste the money I just spend so I searched out vinyl installers. I searched the yellowpages for signage and first called each location and asked if they install vinyl graphics on cars, then I went to each business that did to get a quote. Eventually I got the stripe professionally installed (bonnet and boot) for a mere $60. I would also recommend asking any local car audio/performance shops if they know someone who does it. Sorry for such a wordy reply! I was just in your shoes 2 months ago.
edit: I just reread your post and realized you're not even talking about stripes. Sorry -_-. Maybe you could do that small job yourself and buy the vinyl from a regular sign store

 

Heyjay i have done what you are planning. It sucks but some time it turns out ok. you need a heat gun and really high quality vinyl film. If you can't afford either of these things then you shouldn't proceed...........but i say if you are on a budget you just should paint them. Some people on the forum say as long as you use plenty of clear coat you wont have chip problems. And if you don't like how they turned out (and didn't rough-up the surface too much) just soak them in mineral spirits to get the paint off. Either way good luck...........and i have done both and want some incite, just pm me before you start either projects and i will let you know what to expect.

 

Don't buy vinyl from a sign store they wont sell you what you need by the way.

 

oh.... then where? hahahaha thanks for the heads up. PM sent!

 

i just ordered a huge roll of matte black vinyl from http://www.beacongraphics.com/avery.html

it was the avery 6 year stuff. I was considering getting the 3m instead but the price difference was quite significant. So far, i have wrapped my gas cap, door handles, and mirror caps. I believe i spent 20 bucks total for the 15" X 10 Yard roll.... they ship next day DHL. I really cannot recommend them enough if you need to buy your own vinyl. Also, harbour freight sells a heat gun for like 10 bucks! I have way more than enough vinyl to do what i want with now. It took me a couple tries at the mirrors and door handles so having the extra material is super nice... i still have a bunch left over in case i need to rewrap anything.

i painted my headlight/washer nozzel, grille, and rear chrome trim because i didnt have the vinyl back then. If i could go back, i would definitely do them all in vinyl although painting was not hard, there was just TONS more prep work in comparison.

 

http://www.fellers.com/
This is what i suggest, Ghosthhound if you soak your rings and grill surround in some water 80% mineral spirits 20% you could get the paint to lift right off......or just wrap them in vinyl as they stand. How long did your door handles take you? suggestions?

 

what kind of prices does that place offer?

Haha, maybe i will do that when they start really chipping. Right now they are holding up fine.

Wrapping the handles was not easy... maybe 45min-1hr. Ive heard taking the door handles off is even harder though! It doesnt look perfect but with the amount of vinyl i got, i can more than easily redo it several times. I would invest in a heat gun from harbour freight. Cost me 10 bucks and is very helpful. Also get more vinyl then you think you need.

 

i just got a roll of 2ft by 10 yards of matte black for 27$. i bought my heat gun from home depot for 20$ and so far i have used it a ton of times. It works as a hair dryer really well.

 

hey can you order the vinyl online? i really don't like to travel to go get products :P

 

yup!

i ordered from here

http://www.beacongraphics.com/avery.html

15 inch X 10 yards for about 25 next day shipping!!

 

Ghosthound,

any advice on how to wrap the handles please ? did you use the heat gun ?

was it just one piece of vinyl per handle (cut properly)?

I got the rest of my stuff from Lyle and happy with it, just don't want to take the doors apart to install the handles...

thanks !

thanks

 

i just used one sheet of vinyl and a heat gun. I started by working the bottom-back (toward the rear) first then slowly made my way forward. I also wrapped it around into the actual handle part. Take your time, have extra vinyl ready. its no easy task especially when you keep the door handles on.

 

many thanks, will try this out (the heat gun already on the way from Harbour :-) !

by the way - which kind of vinyl exactly did you buy from that site please ?

 

just reread your post - you got the avery 6-year stuff, got it :-)