Lamin-x on headlight...Install failure. Some pointers would be nice

[Audi Juice]

I tried installing my headlight film last week and followed the instructions given to me by the local dealer. They said to put windex on the headlights/film prior to install. I tried that and it left a bunch of crusty blue residue, as I figured it might. Then pealed off and tried again and ended up ruining the film. Gonna try again. Any pointers, or better yet, anyone in OC care to help? Dont want to waste another $50. Look how crappy it came out.

[Phrost]

I just use a soap/water solution and completely saturate everything.

To be honest, I think you would've been fine. Lamin-x is porous so any moisture will soak in and evaporate, but Windex is blue so it is very noticeable before it dries. Windex should work (I would just use soap/water though) but just squeegee it out better next time, and let any access moisture evaporate on its on which takes about a week or two since the film is so thick.

Yours was seriously ruined when you peeled it off? If you get it wet enough it should come off fine (during install of course) as I peeled my tails off one or twice when trying to fit them on correctly.

But bottom line... you are using clear film so the moisture pockets will be very noticeable before dried. Just let it be next time, I think you just wasted your money for no reason if you did rip them off.

[ringmaster2.0]

yeah exactly what phrost said: actually, thats how it looks for like 4 days and then it dissipates. If you already took it off i'm sorry i didn't see this sooner but my laminx looked just like that when i put it on with soap and water for 3 or 4 days. But i was told to just deal with it lookin like sh*t, it will go away and now they look perfect.
sorry bro

[supamannn99]

haha casey i can help you out.. i put lamin-x on my tails

[tomasmdiego]

soap and water...i still got some bubbbles but they all eventually cleared out...

[Obvis07]

oo sorry to mess up da thread but where did u pick up ur lamin x from?

[Phrost]

oo sorry to mess up da thread but where did u pick up ur lamin x from?

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3030421 (www.eurosportacc.com)

or else directly from www.lamin-x.com

[A4addict]

Soap and water, like Phrost said. He's the Lamin-X pimp.

[Phrost]

Others have installed it themselves before me, I just post a lot about everything I know anything about

post whooore

[A4addict]

[Phrost]

<3 <3 <3 A4addict

[VZWalex]

I picked min eup from euroSportacc and they did the install while I was there .. .. talk to Hubert he did mine and they look awsome.

[EuroA4]

Damn man...are these the ones I just sold you?

[nSun]

did you guys get the pre-cut ones or did you cut the film yourself? i ordered pre-cut for all my lights and the fitment is horrible!

[Audi Juice]

Damn man...are these the ones I just sold you?

Haha, no. That is what my first batch looked like. Btw, yours arrived in good shape. Thanks again.

haha casey i can help you out.. i put lamin-x on my tails

Thanks Kevin, I think I'm just going to try again myself. However, I will take you up on the vag com help. Bring the cable to the Irvine meet.

[Phrost]

Fitment is pretty bad on the pre-cut Lamin-x, but it is very close to what you need. All 4 of my pieces needed trimming everywhere, but it wasn't hard at all.

[FlyGti]

I can make you guys a video of how to properly install headlight protection if anyone is interested?

[Phrost]

One can make a simple DIY for Lamin-x in under 10 steps... Installation really isn't that hard

[TooLow2.0T]

What kind of soap works best? Dish soap?

[Phrost]

No, use car wash soap. Dish soap (like Dawn) has coarse ingredients added to it to help scrub dishes clean, and that stuff is not permeable by Lamin-x. I wouldn't want to risk having crap trapped under the film.

It's kind of the same idea of why you should never use dish soap to wash your car

[FlashA4]

Daaaaammmnnnn

[TooLow2.0T]

No, use car wash soap. Dish soap (like Dawn) has coarse ingredients added to it to help scrub dishes clean, and that stuff is not permeable by Lamin-x. I wouldn't want to risk having crap trapped under the film.

It's kind of the same idea of why you should never use dish soap to wash your car

Ahh...don't know why I didn't think of that. Thx.

[Jersey Stephen]

I can make you guys a video of how to properly install headlight protection if anyone is interested?

ya make a vid

[gyroscope]

I think the instructions call for cleaning the headlights with Windex or soap and water before the install so that no dirt or residue is trapped under the film. Then, after you have cleaned the lenses, you spray them with just water. This allows you to move the laminx overlays around for proper fitment. Windex contain dyes and amonia, and will most likley eat away at the laminx film.

[Phrost]

I just got a big bottle of soap/water and used that the whole time. Kept spraying it under the film and over it to keep it lubricated while I centered it and trimmed it.

Also, I highly recommend using a hairdryer to heat these up while you install it. Parts of the tails are very curved and the flat Lamin-x won't want to stick/curve to it easily. A hairdryer will heat/soften it up so it will sit exactly how you want and dry perfect.

[nSun]

what did you use to trim the film? i'm scared to leave uneven edges that stick out. and also, my fog light pieces aren't even big enough to cover the foglight lenses

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

soap and water...i still got some bubbbles but they all eventually cleared out...

Same here, it took about a week for it to look perfect.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

what did you use to trim the film? i'm scared to leave uneven edges that stick out. and also, my fog light pieces aren't even big enough to cover the foglight lenses

The fog light film must be a pita to install on a non sline, but on the slines you can stretch it a bit and it fits perfect.

[Phrost]

what did you use to trim the film? i'm scared to leave uneven edges that stick out. and also, my fog light pieces aren't even big enough to cover the foglight lenses

First I used a razorblade/exacto knife, but that cut a rough line. I wouldn't recommend a razorblade anyway because it's too easy to scratch plastic/paint.

What I did to trim, was I first centered the film where I wanted it. Then I would peel it back a little bit, and use a scissors/shears to trim. It was much easier and safer.

If your fog pieces aren't big enough, I guess first try heating them with a hairdryer or something and pull/stretch a little bit... just don't do anything stupid. If they won't stretch a little bit, just center it as best as you can. Nobody will notice a little white edge, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[VZWalex]

The fog light film must be a pita to install on a non sline, but on the slines you can stretch it a bit and it fits perfect.

when they installed mine he used a bottle with soap and water .. and a heat gun ...... made it very easy to mold. hope that helps .... oh yeah ... you dont have to heat them much ... unless you want a disaster

[nSun]

First I used a razorblade/exacto knife, but that cut a rough line. I wouldn't recommend a razorblade anyway because it's too easy to scratch plastic/paint.

What I did to trim, was I first centered the film where I wanted it. Then I would peel it back a little bit, and use a scissors/shears to trim. It was much easier and safer.

If your fog pieces aren't big enough, I guess first try heating them with a hairdryer or something and pull/stretch a little bit... just don't do anything stupid. If they won't stretch a little bit, just center it as best as you can. Nobody will notice a little white edge, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

thx for the input. i'll try to get this done when i have time. has anyone gotten in shit from the cops for tinted tails and headlights?

[supamannn99]

thx for the input. i'll try to get this done when i have time. has anyone gotten in shit from the cops for tinted tails and headlights?

i haven't :D

[nSun]

lol. i live in vancouver, canada and seems like cops are VERY anal about this kind of shit. in download there are cops on the side of the road that ONLY look for nice cars with violations. bitches eh?

[pyrobecks]

did you get the 20mil or 40mil... trying to decide, not sure if it really matters... besides protecting from bigger rocks?

[Phrost]

I have not had any trouble from the police yet, but it is winter... I bet they'll be looking more come summer.