4x72 is not wide enough. The taillights are about 7x12 at their widest and longest points. We'll have to wait for NoBull to reply since he said he spent about $30.

 

>>I'm looking at the film company's website and the only product that looks close to what I see in your pictures is the 4"x72" "smoked bug shield". Is that the item to order?
>>
>>If not, can you tell us the exact name of the item you ordered?
>>
>>Thanks!


Tint I have

OK this is the site and you need the 11"X17" (1)one sheet Smoked to do just the tail lights. Cost is $24.95+shipping. Hope this helps. And if your worried about the law then call and ask first or just don't do it. Also I am not adding any reflectors to the car. That looks cheap to me. You can see the lights aluminate just fine with the tint during the day and night. Look at the second picture and that is the half sheet before after I cut it.

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My MINI is Sponsored byVIVIDRACING

 

I can't speak for the tint Nobull is using, but the Madness stuff does reflect thru fine. Here's a picture with my lights on, no brakes.

R

 

You did a great job, the lense looks great. I may try to do the same when I get my MCS. Do you think it would look tacky if I did the front headlights? The tailights would look nice since my body color is silver, but the headlights...I don't think so.

 

Hey I'm a star....the film company contacted me for permission to use my how-to photos. How bout that!!:D

Pooky if you want to do headlights you may want to use a lighter film. Check out the site and look around, they have lots to choose from.

 

I love the DIY Thanks for posting it. However I wonder if it would be easier to create some type of template? This way you are not putting knife to car. I don't know if bucher paper would curve right but after a few trys you would end up with something perfect. Then transfer the image to the tint.

 

>>I love the DIY Thanks for posting it. However I wonder if it would be easier to create some type of template? This way you are not putting knife to car. I don't know if bucher paper would curve right but after a few trys you would end up with something perfect. Then transfer the image to the tint.
>>

could be a good idea!

 

Excellent. Thanks for the info and how-to, Nobull60!

 

ive got a new idea regardin the placement of the tint:

you know the chrome ring around the taillight, has anyone considered putting the tint inside the chrome ring?? that might look cool

 

nobull-

ive got a couple of questions about the tint used in ur mod

1. is the tint used removable and replaceable as in the madness tint??

2. what percent of tint was used (i think im gonna have it all done by a tint place and need a percent)

3. can u remove the taillights and be able to do the taillight mod wit the rear fog lights, or is it final once u put the tint on?

 

I PM'd you with the answers. :smile:

 

thanks!

 

NoBull's how-to is great. Here's info about another vinyl for those of you still looking for the perfect darkness and cost!

I removed the taillights and used "Oracal 8300 Transparent Dark Grey" so that I could wrap the vinyl completely around the edge and assure it's not going to peel. The Oracal a very high quality vinyl intended for exterior applications. It has the same adhesive used for long term vehicle graphics (and guaranteed for 5 years against cracking, peeling, fading..etc.). The Oracal is thinner than the LaminX and will emit more light as well as not lose the reflective quality of the inner lense. It's nice and dark, but not blacked out. A bit more safe, IMHO. This vinyl can also be painted if you want to mask the taillights and not spray the lense itself.

Here's a pic of the lense from several angles while it was off the car.
(note: arrows indicate where to trim the excess vinyl.)



The vinyl can be easily removed with heat (and adhesive remover if needed). Here is a pic of the removal that also shows the difference with and without the Oracal.



So what are you waiting for? Enjoy.

 

6f7, where did you get that tint stuff again?

Also, did you have any problems or difficulties with getting air bubbles out?

BTW - Great job and writeup!

 

6f7....
lets see some pics on the car!
i second the question above, where can i get the materials?

 

ya 6f7 im interested in ur idea! info info info!

 

MORE PICTURES:

I will post more finished pics when I can borrow my friends digital camera next week.


WHERE TO BUY ORACAL:

I was able to order the Oracal Vinyl (8300 TransPARENT Dark Grey) through a vinyl distributor. It cost me $28 for a 15"x10 yard roll! You can check www.oracal.com for a distributor in your area.


THE INSTALL:

It is tricky to install and it is easier with two people. I have had experience with vinyl and tint and found that the first try was an experiment on technique--make sure to get plenty of spare vinyl! Here's details of the methods I found to work best with the curvature of the lense.

1. Remove the lense and clean it

2. Mix a solution of about 1tsp car soap and water in a squirt bottle

3. Get a six pack for you and your helper

4. Have one person sit with the lense in their lap with a small squeegee and the other with the hair dryer

5. mist the lense with the soap solution

6. Pre-heat the vinyl

7. Peel the backing from the vinyl and with four hands pull onto the lense. This will help the vinyl initially stretch to the lense shape and make shaping the vinyl easier.

8. QUICKLY (while its still warm) sqeegee down the center (high part) of the lense.

9. Have your friend heat the vinyl in an area around the perimeter and pull it so any wrinkles (ie "fingers&quot dissappear and squeegee towards the outside

9. Repeat the process and move around the face of the lense (apply more water if you need it to "slip" more

NOTE: ALWAYS WORK FROM THE CENTER OUT (if you get a big bubble gently or goof up heat and pull the vinyl back and reapply.)

10. After the face looks perfect, heat the edges and pull, press, and hold them to the sides of the lense to assure that they are secured

11. Trim the excess vinyl and reinstall the taillights

12. Sit back, look at your work

13. Finish your beer!

Good luck.



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I think I like 6f7's way better. You now the stuff isn't going to come loose if you wash the lights or something...

 

>>I think I like 6f7's way better. You now the stuff isn't going to come loose if you wash the lights or something...

I waxed them and went to the DIY car wash twice. I thoroughly blasted them with the high pressure hose to see how they hold up--they don't budge or peel.

 

The results.

 

Very nice.

With the tinted tail lights I think I have found a way to elminiate almost all the chrome on the car.

 

looks sweet on your car!
now you just need the wheel arches painted black to complete the look!
thanks for the how-to!

 

>>With the tinted tail lights I think I have found a way to elminiate almost all the chrome on the car.

As an experiment, I actually put electical tape over the chrome trim below the windows. It really lacked something and the car lost a lot of definition.

Lesson learned: Some chrome is a good thing.

>>now you just need the wheel arches painted black to complete the look!

I don't think I would paint the arches since they seem to pit very easily.

>>thanks for the how-to!

No prob. Thank Nobull as well for his great how-to and getting this project moving.



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Thanks to nobull and everyone else's interest. We have finally designed a precut smoke-out kit for the MC tailights = $24.95 for limited time (normally $29.95). And no razor blades needed. Just some fingers.

 

i'm gonna order the kit.
save me the hassle, nice one!