I want to flat black a couple parts on my car (headlight rings, handles, gas cap and the window trim). I've been lookin around the net a lil and the only place I really found I that really does any of that is Aesthetic Creations. Just curious if there is anywhere else that might carry and or do that type of stuff.

Doing the installation myself isn't the problem. But rather finding the parts.

 

http://www.lylesvinylstyles.net/

Lyles Vinyls is great!

 

You've got options for some of the things you want to black out.

I did my own headlight rings, grill surround and side scuttles as well as the belt line chrome and the Joey Mod.

I went to Mike at Aesthetic Creations for the door handles, gas cap, rear tail light surrounds and the MINI badges.

For the work I did, I used spray plasti-dip (Grills, side scuttles and head light rings), high temp spray paint (joey mod) and vinyl tape (belt line and headlight washer covers).

If you go with Mike, just read his shipping info and know what you are getting into. There are times when his processing time will slow down the delivery rate and you wait the full 6 weeks that's advertised. For some parts, it doesn't take that long.

Post some pics when you get started and show us all the progress. I've covered all of the exterior chrome on KOOPER and I do like the way it has come out.

Craig

 

+1 for Vinyl Styles. You can paint them yourself, but just know painted ones take a lot of abuse from the elements. I've found vinyl wrapped parts hold up better. Although I prefer powder coating the gas cap door as it's metal and powder coating is probably the toughest out of them all.

 

I went with plasti-dip, it was really easy and I am VERY happy with the results.
But, just a warning, if you go the vinyl route, go with Lylesvinylestyles.com
at first I went to save money and got it done at a local Vinyl place.
It was a lot cheaper, but a LOT! cheaper of a job, it was rediculous.
The vinyl, when the sun was shining on it, had sort of a brown base (uck!)
it looked horrible, crinkled in some spots, peeled in others.
I had it on there for about.. a month and a half.
on the plus side, it was easy to get off.

So, if you go with vinyl, go with Lyle, he does a great job and it will last.
He can also do body colored trim rather than just black.
I got blue S's so the S's on my side repeaters and the S on teh back would be blue, and the color match is great! and i love they way the look.
and all the vinyl jobs I have seen other people I have met with his work done, looks great! and they are happy.

And many people have complained about Aesthetic Creations, you can find threads about the parts taking like 6 months to get there! no thanks.
good luck!

 

You can do the belt line blackout yourself in about 30 min. There are many vendors that offer the tape.

I wrote a tutorial, with lots of pictures here:
http://www.russellcory.com/blog/?page_id=19#Project2

Hope it helps!

 

If you are on a budget but you still want it to look good, you can also go with 3M's "Super 88" vinyl electrical tape. It runs about $5 for a roll and you can get it at Home Depot or order it from Amazon.com. If you are concerned about durability, mine has been on since sometime in July '09. During that time, it's seen high temps in the mid 90's and, recently temps down into the single digits. Add a 70mph wind chill to that and I'd guess it's very sub zero and it's still there. Road salt, anti-ice chemicals, pressure washing, waxing.... Nothing seems to bother it.

The .75" tape is a near perfect fit for 2nd Gen cars but it's too wide for 1st Gen. One roll of tape will do at least three cars (and there's still a good bit left on the roll) so there's lots of room for mulligans - you don't get that with the kits from other places.

Throw in a new Xacto knife for a couple bucks and you've got the kit for the belt line blackout with plenty to spare for less than one of the kits that are sold by various vendors.

Plan for an hour, take your time and you'll be very happy with the results. If not, call it practice and start over!

Craig

 

Just be careful not to stretch the electrical tape while applying it.

Best bet is to try the Plasti-dip rattle cans, very easy to remove if you don't like it.