Who needs paint? Black Vinyl goin FTW

[Glassnpowder98]

Well I started yesterday, took a break to party and then just finished a little while ago. It took me about 6 hours total to cover up all of the brushed aluminum with black vinyl. I did the front grill, sides, and the piece under the trunk. I bought 20 ft of vinyl that was 15 inches wide. I was kind of frugal with it and barely had enough to finish. Here are some rough photo's... I'll take some more when it is a little nicer outside and when I get the Ultraleggera's put on...

http://community.webshots.com/album/563472629aEscHT


Can someone tell me how I can post in the thread? My posting rules say: You may not post attachments

[LAS]

same way i would've do it, especially because it's not permanent... nice!

[supamannn99]

wow..... very nice. i might do this myself. the vinyl is adhesive, correct? how exactly did you do everything?

[Phrost]

That looks good!

I would resize those pictures though first. Then, get the exact location of the picture (will be something like www.good-times.webshots.com/photo/23734609.jpg, then put that inside of the image brackets which are {img} {/img} only [] instead of {}. The yellow picture button above the text field where you reply will do the same thing.

[FlashA4]

Am i fully understanding this? you used actual vinyl? Like fabric vinyl? I certainly hope its marine grade. Regardless, from the pics I actually like what you did. I hate the chrome that goes around the car and would much prefer to have it painted black (or vinyl, in your case). Good job on the effort you put forth with this project.

btw, i need a How-To pronto... im very curious about the walk through on this one.

[Glassnpowder98]

The vinyl is an automotive vinyl that I found on ebay. It is adhesive on the back. Here is the link to where I got it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=180241141595

To apply it, I basically just cut strips the length of the area that I was doing and then laid it down on top of the aluminum. I then used a pen (and then part of a tap and dye set) to push down on the corners. I then used a blade to cut around the edges. Finally I used the tap to fold in the edges to make it stick on the back side. I took pictures of the whole process and think I am going to write up a DIY. However, that will come at a later date. For now I will just post some of the "how to" pictures on the webshots link.

LAS, thanks for uploading those pics for me. Sorry, I deleted and reuploaded two of the pics because they had my license plate in them... I don't want any of you scoundrels finding me!!! muahaha

[LAS]

you don't post attachments on AZ, just get the "direct link to image" on the bottom right side of the screen on webshots, i used the 600megapixel size, then use it when you click on the little 'mountain' icon just above where you enter text.

[whitevdub]

holy shit that came out really good, looks exactly like the titanium package trim. definitely a better way to get that look without paint.

[supamannn99]

im kind of scared i might cut up the paint like i did when i had to trim my lamin-x tails..

[Glassnpowder98]

im kind of scared i might cut up the paint like i did when i had to trim my lamin-x tails..

That was the only thing bad that happened with all of this... I got a little paint in a couple of areas. Just a thin line from the razor, but I was really sad when I saw it. You have to be very careful when doing this to make sure that you are barely pushing on it so that you only cut the vinyl and not paint... In a lot of places there is a nice gap so you are basically cutting vinyl with air on the other side and then you just have to use a tool to fold it up behind the trim to make it stick.

[LAS]

one thing i would worry about is that if you stretched the vinyl a little too tight when applied, after time in the sun and depending on the type/quality of the vinyl, it may lose moisture and shrink a little. time as in a year or two and depending how much sun your car gets. just a thought.

[scoobycarolan]

I would worry about it fading colors over time, but if it only took 6 hours! Nice work and an A+ for ingenuity!

[scoobycarolan]

did you do the front rings too!

[whitevdub]

i need to do the front rings! i'm interested in this. any easy way to do this with the vinyl??

[Glassnpowder98]

Yeah, when I went to do this I was worried about the vinyl coming off after time as well as it fading. But at this time I can't really afford getting the trim painted since I just bought new wheels/tires and springs... It's kinda like, pay $500+ to get it painted and worry about it chipping or not adherring vs. $65 plus 6 hours work and hope it doesn't peel off or fade. At least if it starts peeling off, I can always patch it up (if it doesn't fade HA).

And no, I didn't do the front rings... I don't think I can get the rings to be smooth enough for my liking. Anyone have a good DIY for painting the rings? I just need to get the rings painted, debadge it, get the O.Z.'s put on, and then paint the calipers red... then I'll be completely blacked out and have the look I have been dreaming about.

[element498]

Sweet! I have the same car and was wondering how this would look! I just ordered some myself..

[jahciple]

looks good.

[Ski DraGoN]

nice job!

[Malamute]

I really don't see why the rings would be any harder. Put the sheet over and put a relief cut in the middle of each ring. Stretch and burnish until smooth and trim 'em up. I may buy 1' of it just to try. It would be easier than removing the bumper and gill just to paint them. If it doesn't look good peel it off.

[4RingRook]

did you do the front rings too!

Complete thread jack, where'd you get your APR flash done in Albany?

[Josh_877]

nice, i like how that looks. good job

[4RingRook]

By the way, I like this mod a lot, but I'd be concerned about durability over time, especially since I live in the Northeast.

[ny2flb7a4]

Good job.

[oakenfolde]

wow that came out very well...

might look around in vegas for something similar

[80020vr6]

Looks great. Keep us posted on whether or not it stays stuck around the edges or any other adverse condition. I heard about one guy who went over it with a heat gun very lightly. Don't know if that would help or not.

[R1NSE]

did you use 3M adhesive vinyl? I just ordered some that is colormatched to my car. I am going to be doing the reflectors, filler plate, and the window trim. Did you try putting blue painter's tape on the paint as an extra layer of protection from the razor? Did you use a hair dryer or heat gun at all?

[Glassnpowder98]

did you use 3M adhesive vinyl? I just ordered some that is colormatched to my car. I am going to be doing the reflectors, filler plate, and the window trim. Did you try putting blue painter's tape on the paint as an extra layer of protection from the razor? Did you use a hair dryer or heat gun at all?

I do not know what type of vinyl it was that I got. I posted the link to the ebay site in which I bought the vinyl a little further up in the thread. It was pretty much the only automotive vinyl that I could find. I didn't use any painters tape to protect my paint and therefore there were a few spots that I scraped a little bit of paint. I do not know how well the tape would work because I think it would be pretty hard to apply the tape to the areas that would need it. Also, you would probably end up cutting the tape and it would be a pain to try and remove it... Although I do suggest trying to use something to help protect your paint. I used a hair dryer on some of the areas, especially where I got any little bubbling. I think I am going to go over the whole thing with a hairdryer in the next couple of days to try and "melt" it on there a little better. For spots that bubble you can either pull up the vinyl and then reapply it (which was surprisingly easy and didnt seem to make the vinyl lose any stickyness). Also, there were a couple spots that bubbled after I had already trimmed the edges off... For these I heated up the bubble with the hairdryer and then poked a hole in the middle of the bubble with my razor and then flattened it out. Today will be the first test to see how it stands up to the heat and sun. The car is currently outside of my office baking in the sun while I sit here and stare out the window at it...

[B7A4Sport]

The car is currently outside of my office baking in the sun while I sit here and stare out the window at it...

Gotta love Audis.....


Pro work by the way, man - makes me want to get all DIY and try this. I also give an A+ !

[Vito Roma]

where did u get the vinly from? PM me Also how does it handle when washing the car?

[3.2some]

Hey how many feet did you order bro? I'm gonna try this out....

[STaSIS_2.0T]

nice work! looks great!

[Glassnpowder98]

Hey how many feet did you order bro? I'm gonna try this out....

I ordered 20ft originally and just barely had enough to finish, however I did waste a good amount with the cuts I made. I recently ordered 10 more ft to patch up a few places that I orginally messed up. One spot, I didn't overlap the two sections and some aluminum is showing. Also, the back rear small window (behind the rear doors) I messed up. You need to fold down the weather stripping on the bottom and shove the vinyl down in there or you will get some chrome showing along the bottom line.

I advise anyone who does this, make sure you overlap each section by a few centimeters and make sure that all of the aluminum is completely covered because I have experienced a little bit of shrinking. For example, one section I did on the back window I just barely overlapped and it is beginning to pull apart a little bit due to shrinking. However, none of the vinyl has pulled or peeled off in any other sections, just where I connected two sections of vinyl. I've probably confused you by now, so I'll try to take some pictures when I get home from work today.

[Glassnpowder98]

where did u get the vinly from? PM me Also how does it handle when washing the car?

I have only washed my car by hand since I've done it and I haven't had any peeling. I really don't think you would have a problem bringing the car to a car wash either as the vinyl really sticks on there well.

[3.2some]

thanks, I'll order 30 ft just in case

[Glassnpowder98]

Alright... I realized that my description was horrible without visual reference... so here is a quick paint diagram of what I was talking about.

1. Is the seam that I did not overlap enough. It looks fine in that picture, but after a month in the sun it has shrunk a little bit and is exposing some aluminum.

2. Is the line (can't get it straight because my mouse at work blows) of weather stripping that you have to pull down and shove the vinyl down into. You can't really tell from the pic because the lighting isn't too good, but when it is in the sun you can see a thin line of aluminum showing through.




Hope that helps...

[3.2some]

the main thing I see being a problem is going around the curves, you have any advise on how you did that so that it wont leave any bubbles or cracks?

[ibiski]

Am I seeing right? Did you actually cut this with utility blade? Looks like you were touching the paint below the trim?.

[B7 Projectile]

Yeah, when I went to do this I was worried about the vinyl coming off after time as well as it fading. But at this time I can't really afford getting the trim painted since I just bought new wheels/tires and springs... It's kinda like, pay $500+ to get it painted and worry about it chipping or not adherring vs. $65 plus 6 hours work and hope it doesn't peel off or fade. At least if it starts peeling off, I can always patch it up (if it doesn't fade HA).

And no, I didn't do the front rings... I don't think I can get the rings to be smooth enough for my liking. Anyone have a good DIY for painting the rings? I just need to get the rings painted, debadge it, get the O.Z.'s put on, and then paint the calipers red... then I'll be completely blacked out and have the look I have been dreaming about.

I just did my rings... Get 600 grit sandpaper, and sand them just to scuff them.. Then I just used promax brand gloss black enamel (4 layers)... turned out great.. Matches the plastic on the grill perfect. The only thing is that you must take off the grill in order to take the rings off, but they just snap right back in.. I did this mod when trying to install my FMIC (failed due to spline drive tool), and HID fogs(success!!!)..

[Glassnpowder98]

the main thing I see being a problem is going around the curves, you have any advise on how you did that so that it wont leave any bubbles or cracks?

I just cut strips that were wide enough so that they would cover the curves. You just need to flatten them down so that you can see the curve and then cut away... below is an example of how i did the corner. On the bottom right, just make sure that when you cut, you leave enough excess vinyl to fold around the edge to the back. It will kind of bend up but it will be on the other side of the trim.

[Glassnpowder98]

Am I seeing right? Did you actually cut this with utility blade? Looks like you were touching the paint below the trim?.

You are correct... If you see one of my posts towards the top of the thread, I mentioned that I did cut a little bit of paint. However, if you have a pretty steady hand and a sharp blade (I suggest changing your blade at least once to keep it sharp), you will not scratch your paint. Anyone who tries this, make sure that you are not pressing down against your paint. When you put the vinyl down over the trim and paint (see picture above) you will have a nice gap between the vinyl and the doorsill. There is plenty of room to cut and not hit any paint. Just make sure that you cut a little bit closer to the doorsill than to the trim so that you have enough vinyl to fold around the back of the trim to ensure that the vinyl will stick to the back.