This was much easier than I thought. I used 1/2" 3m low gloss black vinyl tape from Terry's Auto Supply. It was $17.59 for a 150' roll. The low gloss black is a great match to the rest of the trim.

Apply the tape slowly and make sure you don't stretch it too much. I used an Xacto knife to cut the ends off. Take your time when you go around the turns at the corner of the car (A pillar and C pillar).

Here's how it turned out:



I got a set of stock black side vents and I'm going to paint them body color and install black side marker lights from Out Motoring.

Still need to tint the windows and get some wheels .....

 

dont you mean 1/4" ???

let see some up close shots of the door jams and ends.

 

You need to tint to complete that look. Check out sport compact car's project Mini for more pics of blacked out trim.

 

clip

Yes Limo TINT

Earl

 

Nope. 1/4" is too small. You need 1/2". This is what I ordered:

3m72793 1/2 In X 150 Feet LOW GLOSS BLACK ST

It's 11 pm here so I couldn't get a great picture of the ends in the garage. This was the best pic I could get:



That's the edge of the driver's side door.

The great thing about getting 150' is that you can take it off and redo a section if it isn't exactly what you want!

 

That's what I said .... still need to tint and get some black wheels.

Figured I'd do the belt line first. It was only $20 and about 45 minutes.

BTW, how much is tint these days? I'm thinking 50% on the rear windows and 80% on the front. Even though ANY tint is illegal on the front, 80% doesn't usually get you hassled.

 

I'm doing the beltline this weekend. Mine is all black as well- I had the gas cap powdercoated black for $20- something to consider. Yours looks great!

 

Wow! That looks great!

 

Looks good. I have the same color combo and would like to try the same thing on my car. By the way, what antenna do you have? Are you happy with its reception? It looks pretty nice!

 

Huper Optik ceramic film is great, but a little pricey. I am in the NYC area and what you quoted would be around 300.00 installed with a 10 yr full replacement warranty (For the Huper Optik). I am sure you could go with a 3M film for a much lower price, however. Post pics when you have it done.

 

great pic!! looks killer man!!!

 

Do you have any pictures of your gas cap? What about the door handles? Are you going to PC them, too?

I've been considering doing that (PC door handles and gas cap) but I'm still on the fence.

 

Nuff,

Check my gallery for pics- I can take a close up version if you want? I have heard that the handles are actually plastic but it appears that some folks are painting them. IT seems like a lot of work to get them off- can anyone confirm???

 

Love the black side vents and lights. Gonna do that next.

 

Thanks.

The antenna is an Alta.

http://www.altaminiperformance.com/p...a/ANTENNA.html

Costs $29.99. I haven't noticed any change in reception. That said, I listen to Sirius most of the time.

 

make sure NOT to get the tape that is two layers, the top layer will crack in the heat over time

Yep, I know from experience!

I did mine with 3M stripe tape, cracked and looks like crap up close, just waiting until I have time to redo it

Also on the tint...Limo is the way to go! Ohio I'm about 60% past legal but I still run Limo, and make sure to do the sunroof, makes it cooler in the summer

 

I am getting my tinit done thursday! I hope! 20% all the way around except windshield on my JB/JB, beltline black, trim black. Hrmm nice to see another blackout car!

also keep an eye on it because if you streched it ANY it will start to pull away near the edges like the pic you have of your door jam. I put mine right to the edge and now... about 2 months later its pulled back on some parts about 1/16in inch which is just before you will see chrome. Just keep an eye on it and you can redo it on that part.

-Josh

 

Not sure what you mean. The 3m striping tape comes with three layers. The bottom layer is removed to expose the adhesive. Once the tape is in place, you peel off the top layer leaving just the vinyl. The top layer is a clear film that just protects the tape during installation.

As for tinting the sunroof, I was going to do it but then got scared due to some of the other post regarding damaged sunroofs and MINI not honoring the warranty due to aftermarket tint. Still thinking about it, though.

 

I'll keep an eye on it. I tried not to stretch it while I was installing it, but I had to stretch it a little to do the curves around the pillars.

Good thing I have 120 feet left!!

 

good job! now go get some tint.

 

Ha!
Here was my thought process:

• blackout beltline - $20 + 1 hour of my time.
• tint - $200 - $300.

Thought I'd do the easy (translation: cheap) things first. But tint will be going on .... soon!

 

I paid $175 to have our car done in 2004. Check www.tintdude.com for a reputable shop near you.

 

i paid like 120.....you just gotta shop around


Car is looking killer so far...but NEEDS be dropped!! :smile:

 

Thanks!

Dropping it seems scary to me. Clearance is pretty tight on my driveway as it is!

 

hehe who needs driveways anyways The h-sports are only a 1 inch drop....you know you want to