Taillight tint

[PalsyWalsy]

Good luck. I'm on my third laminate kit from them. I never go through a car wash but it bugs the shit out of me that they lift at the creases. First time, I thought it was user error, so I tried again. Second time was better, but still lifted, third time... Yup lifted again.

Maybe I should just stick to technology and go to Mark's house, an hour away, and let him do the laminate.

I have a Lamin-x Kit on mine for about three months and it has not lifted anywhere yet. I check it every time I wash thinking it might but it is still on there solidly.

 

[DevSecOps]

I have a Lamin-x Kit on mine for about three months and it has not lifted anywhere yet. I check it every time I wash thinking it might but it is still on there solidly.

I have a feeling it's direct sun and high heat that causes it to soften it's hold and shrink, but I don't know. When I'm at work the taillights get direct sun and it's 100+ outside.

 

[mkhuffman]

I have a feeling it's direct sun and high heat that causes it to soften it's hold and shrink, but I don't know. When I'm at work the taillights get direct sun and it's 100+ outside.

Maybe heating the vinyl when applying (as @scoopman recommended) will help. There is also a setting period so maybe avoiding the direct sun for a week would help also. The fourth time is the charm! Don't give up!

 

[DevSecOps]

Maybe heating the vinyl when applying (as @scoopman recommended) will help. There is also a setting period so maybe avoiding the direct sun for a week would help also. The fourth time is the charm! Don't give up!

I did heat it each time, and it stays attached for many days, but eventually lifts. It's only on the upper crease and it does it on every light.

 

[scoopman]

Maybe heating the vinyl when applying (as @scoopman recommended) will help. There is also a setting period so maybe avoiding the direct sun for a week would help also. The fourth time is the charm! Don't give up!

Might also be the tint. I used this stuff and it’s stayed down.

VViViD Smoke Black Adhesive Headlight Wrap Tinting Vinyl 16 Inch x 48 Inch Roll (1 Roll Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G8PD9TP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TBZ41DKV3MDBMKE64P17?psc=1

 

[Greymalken]

Might also be the tint. I used this stuff and it’s stayed down.

VViViD Smoke Black Adhesive Headlight Wrap Tinting Vinyl 16 Inch x 48 Inch Roll (1 Roll Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G8PD9TP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TBZ41DKV3MDBMKE64P17?psc=1

Was one roll enough?

 

[scoopman]

Was one roll enough?

I just looked and I actually got the 2-pack because I knew I might need a redo a couple of times....

Here's how the Vivvid stuff looks, applied with a heat gun using the @Murse-In-Airy technique from his video....

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Since we’re talking taillight tint, here’s my VVIVID dark smoke tint on my GT. It’s only been a couple months, but in that time it’s seen temps in the 80’s and temps in the teens.

One thing that may be worth mentioning is that I’ve started making relief cuts on the underside of the lower sharp angle. It’s not visible unless you bend way down and look upward at it. But it relieves a lot of the tension pulling on the tint across the protrusion. Might help keep things laying better @DevSecOps

 

[DevSecOps]

Since we’re talking taillight tint, here’s my VVIVID dark smoke tint on my GT. It’s only been a couple months, but in that time it’s seen temps in the 80’s and temps in the teens.

One thing that may be worth mentioning is that I’ve started making relief cuts on the underside of the lower sharp angle. It’s not visible unless you bend way down and look upward at it. But it relieves a lot of the tension pulling on the tint across the protrusion. Might help keep things laying better @DevSecOps

I ordered the vivid. It's only $12 and I've already spent $225 on Lamin-X. Thank you and @scoopman for the suggestion. He texted me pictures of his install and it looks great as well so I'm gonna give it a shot.

 

[Flashgolfer]

I did my IBSM tail lights in Vivid Smoke Black and am very pleased with the result. A little nervous using an Exacto knife on my lenses, but it turned out fine. Here are a few pics....
Before:

During tinting:

After tinting

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

I did my IBSM tail lights in Vivid Smoke Black and am very pleased with the result. A little nervous using an Exacto knife on my lenses, but it turned out fine. Here are a few pics....
Before:

During tinting:

After tinting

Looks like light smoke. Big improvement.

 

[Petey]

Applied the lamin-x kit:

I think that getting a roll and just cutting it yourself would be a cheaper and better way to go in hindsight. The Lamin-x kit is super tough to get fit right, and it is still slightly bigger than you need (or a touch smaller in a spot or two). If you do the roll, you don't have to worry about the shape / placement and can just focus on a good application / seal - and then get the size right by cutting after the fact.

If this falls off or has issues, there is a shop nearby that will do the same thing for 250$. I'll let a pro handle the next round, if needed.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Applied the lamin-x kit:

I think that getting a roll and just cutting it yourself would be a cheaper and better way to go in hindsight. The Lamin-x kit is super tough to get fit right, and it is still slightly bigger than you need (or a touch smaller in a spot or two). If you do the roll, you don't have to worry about the shape / placement and can just focus on a good application / seal - and then get the size right by cutting after the fact.

If this falls off or has issues, there is a shop nearby that will do the same thing for 250$. I'll let a pro handle the next round, if needed.

Main reason I avoided a kit. Requires too much exactness. I’ve had great luck with a relief cut under the big indentation in the light.