Attempted Shadowline Window Trim...

toicy4ya · 07-08-2012, 05:03 PM

So i order 10 yards of 3" 3M scotchgcal vinyl in gloss black in an effort to attempt to shadowline my chrome window trim on my E90 sedan. In the process of waiting for the vinyl to arrive, i begin to review multiple sites, read several instructions, saw a couple of youtube clips and thought to myself, yea i got this!

I wash my car, dry it, grab a nice spot in the shade and pull out the 3M vinyl. I decide to tackle the hardest part first, the trim above the driver side rear door... 15 minutes into it, im freaking loosing it.

This sh@t is so frustrating. I wrestled with it for about 30 minutes and wasnt able to successfully get six inches done

At this point im thinking, this aint worth my sanity.

Does anyone know where i can get this done at a reasonable price in the tri-state/westchester area. Preferebly Bronx or Yonkers. Or are any of my experienced forum brethren willing to give me a hand and possibly do it with me?

Yvette · 07-08-2012, 05:45 PM

before I wrapped window trim, I failed 2 times.
my tips here are.
- do it outside when it's hot ;easy to stretch and very sticky
- practice first w/ scrap vinyl
- practice cutting. If it ain't cutting right, get new exact knife.
happy diy

toicy4ya · 07-08-2012, 05:51 PM

It was definitely hot out, bout 88 degrees. The blade i had was new. The issue was getting the 3" vinyl to curve around the arch above the rear (driver side) door without wrinkling.

What were the size dimensions of the vinyl you used?

Cromartie84 · 07-08-2012, 07:36 PM

OMG..tried it thought it looked really bad. Not sure if I stretched the vinyl too much or what. Gave up

jagmandan · 07-08-2012, 08:16 PM

Don't do the hardest part first. Get the hang of it on the easier sections and you will have a better feel for the material. I am happy with my first attempt. I could not get around the sharp bend at the back with a single piece so I have a small, parallel overlap there where the two sections meet. It is only noticeable if looking at it close. The rest came out very well. It's not easy though.

shanecarmaster1 · 07-08-2012, 08:17 PM

Vinyl tape is too "makeshift" on a BMW imo. Plus, I think the e90 has a GREAT looking window profile that's brought out nicely with the chrome, especially on black cars. Just keep it

toicy4ya · 07-08-2012, 09:27 PM

I'm really trying to avoid splicing it but it seems that may be the only route. Anyone have any suggestions on how to wrap it around the rear arch without splicing it successfully?

rovensail · 07-08-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toicy4ya

Does anyone know where i can get this done at a reasonable price in the tri-state/westchester area. Preferebly Bronx or Yonkers. Or are any of my experienced forum brethren willing to give me a hand and possibly do it with me?

I realize that this may not be where you asked, but the guys at Pleasant Details located in Mt. Pleasant, SC do a knock out job with no seams and one single piece of vinyl on each side. I don't live close to them, but I scheduled it during a road trip and they did it in about three hours. Just an idea.

DSB335d · 07-08-2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toicy4ya

I'm really trying to avoid splicing it but it seems that may be the only route. Anyone have any suggestions on how to wrap it around the rear arch without splicing it successfully?

Heat gun

ndog14 · 07-08-2012, 11:36 PM

Plastidip

pdips · 07-08-2012, 11:40 PM

Should plastidip it. Vinyl can get annoying. Check out our website we dip everything! www.dippednyc.com Plus, we have tons of photos and pricing for everything!

BAYsic · 07-08-2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSB335d

Quote:

Originally Posted by toicy4ya

I'm really trying to avoid splicing it but it seems that may be the only route. Anyone have any suggestions on how to wrap it around the rear arch without splicing it successfully?

Heat gun

+1

I used a hair dryer and it worked very well. Definitely do the easier spots first to get the hang of it first, then tackle the difficult curves.

Yvette · 07-09-2012, 12:29 AM

Easy to wrap with whole vinyl rather than stripe

JS82 · 07-09-2012, 12:57 AM

Buy a big sheet of vinyl that covers the whole window.
That's a lot easier and you'll get better results, but you'll also waste more product.
I did it myself last year and it came out almost perfect.
It was a pita, though.
Just be patient and don't rush it.

sammy_0559 · 07-09-2012, 01:00 AM

plasti dip.

toicy4ya · 07-09-2012, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwfanatic93

Should plastidip it. Vinyl can get annoying. Check out our website we dip everything! www.dippednyc.com Plus, we have tons of photos and pricing for everything!

Out of curiosity, do they sell plastidip in gloss black?

Pete Schweaty · 07-09-2012, 06:10 AM

No but you can use a gloss eurethane on top of it.

ramirez330i · 07-09-2012, 01:04 PM

Use a heat gun and a 4" roll of vinyl. Do not plastidip. I've done it about 10 times pm me if you have specific questions

idrift4wd · 07-09-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toicy4ya

So i order 10 yards of 3" 3M scotchgcal vinyl in gloss black in an effort to attempt to shadowline my chrome window trim on my E90 sedan. In the process of waiting for the vinyl to arrive, i begin to review multiple sites, read several instructions, saw a couple of youtube clips and thought to myself, yea i got this!

I wash my car, dry it, grab a nice spot in the shade and pull out the 3M vinyl. I decide to tackle the hardest part first, the trim above the driver side rear door... 15 minutes into it, im freaking loosing it.

This sh@t is so frustrating. I wrestled with it for about 30 minutes and wasnt able to successfully get six inches done

At this point im thinking, this aint worth my sanity.

Does anyone know where i can get this done at a reasonable price in the tri-state/westchester area. Preferebly Bronx or Yonkers. Or are any of my experienced forum brethren willing to give me a hand and possibly do it with me?

come through to my crib, we will plastidip it.

NYC6 · 07-09-2012, 01:49 PM

OP, would replacing the trim with OEM black trim be worthwhile? Dont know how much it would cost but it would certainly look nicer.

edirtaynine · 07-09-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90sexion

Easy to wrap with whole vinyl rather than stripe

this.

idrift4wd · 07-09-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC6

OP, would replacing the trim with OEM black trim be worthwhile? Dont know how much it would cost but it would certainly look nicer.

i dont think its possible, cause the window trim is a three piece section and one piece is almost impossible to take off without bending.

07-08-2012, 05:03 PM	#1
toicy4ya Lieutenant 47 Rep 427 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330XI Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Attempted Shadowline Window Trim... So i order 10 yards of 3" 3M scotchgcal vinyl in gloss black in an effort to attempt to shadowline my chrome window trim on my E90 sedan. In the process of waiting for the vinyl to arrive, i begin to review multiple sites, read several instructions, saw a couple of youtube clips and thought to myself, yea i got this! I wash my car, dry it, grab a nice spot in the shade and pull out the 3M vinyl. I decide to tackle the hardest part first, the trim above the driver side rear door... 15 minutes into it, im freaking loosing it. This sh@t is so frustrating. I wrestled with it for about 30 minutes and wasnt able to successfully get six inches done At this point im thinking, this aint worth my sanity. Does anyone know where i can get this done at a reasonable price in the tri-state/westchester area. Preferebly Bronx or Yonkers. Or are any of my experienced forum brethren willing to give me a hand and possibly do it with me? __________________ 2006 330XI BSM, Terra Cotta Leather Interior, ZSP, ZPP, ZWP, ZCV, Comfort Access, Adaptive Xenon, Steptronic, Logic 7, Nav w/ IDrive
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07-08-2012, 05:45 PM	#2
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	before I wrapped window trim, I failed 2 times. my tips here are. - do it outside when it's hot ;easy to stretch and very sticky - practice first w/ scrap vinyl - practice cutting. If it ain't cutting right, get new exact knife. happy diy
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2012, 05:51 PM	#3
toicy4ya Lieutenant 47 Rep 427 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330XI Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	It was definitely hot out, bout 88 degrees. The blade i had was new. The issue was getting the 3" vinyl to curve around the arch above the rear (driver side) door without wrinkling. What were the size dimensions of the vinyl you used? __________________ 2006 330XI BSM, Terra Cotta Leather Interior, ZSP, ZPP, ZWP, ZCV, Comfort Access, Adaptive Xenon, Steptronic, Logic 7, Nav w/ IDrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2012, 07:36 PM	#4
Cromartie84 Private First Class 32 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 6mt 335 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Asheville, nc iTrader: (1)	OMG..tried it thought it looked really bad. Not sure if I stretched the vinyl too much or what. Gave up
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2012, 08:16 PM	#5
jagmandan Enlisted Member 0 Rep 41 Posts Drives: '08 E92 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Central VA iTrader: (5)	Don't do the hardest part first. Get the hang of it on the easier sections and you will have a better feel for the material. I am happy with my first attempt. I could not get around the sharp bend at the back with a single piece so I have a small, parallel overlap there where the two sections meet. It is only noticeable if looking at it close. The rest came out very well. It's not easy though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2012, 08:17 PM	#6
shanecarmaster1 Lieutenant 57 Rep 550 Posts Drives: e90 325i, F01 750Li, e38 740i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Vinyl tape is too "makeshift" on a BMW imo. Plus, I think the e90 has a GREAT looking window profile that's brought out nicely with the chrome, especially on black cars. Just keep it __________________ A BMW can be described in one simple, yet true statement, "From the outside you don't understand, from the inside you can't explain." How true is THAT?!
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07-08-2012, 09:27 PM	#7
toicy4ya Lieutenant 47 Rep 427 Posts Drives: 06 BMW 330XI Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I'm really trying to avoid splicing it but it seems that may be the only route. Anyone have any suggestions on how to wrap it around the rear arch without splicing it successfully? __________________ 2006 330XI BSM, Terra Cotta Leather Interior, ZSP, ZPP, ZWP, ZCV, Comfort Access, Adaptive Xenon, Steptronic, Logic 7, Nav w/ IDrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2012, 11:36 PM	#10
ndog14 Banned 52 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: E90 328xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Plastidip
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07-08-2012, 11:40 PM	#11
pdips Lieutenant 55 Rep 476 Posts Drives: 2015 M6 GC CP Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (1)	Should plastidip it. Vinyl can get annoying. Check out our website we dip everything! www.dippednyc.com Plus, we have tons of photos and pricing for everything! __________________ 2015 M6 GC CP
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07-09-2012, 12:29 AM	#13
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	Easy to wrap with whole vinyl rather than stripe
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07-09-2012, 12:57 AM	#14
JS82 Captain 29 Rep 659 Posts Drives: '08 E92 328i 6MT Jet Black Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA USA iTrader: (12)	Buy a big sheet of vinyl that covers the whole window. That's a lot easier and you'll get better results, but you'll also waste more product. I did it myself last year and it came out almost perfect. It was a pita, though. Just be patient and don't rush it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2012, 01:00 AM	#15
sammy_0559 Lieutenant Colonel 202 Rep 1,950 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: FortWorth, Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 E93 335i [3.66]	plasti dip.
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07-09-2012, 06:10 AM	#17
Pete Schweaty Captain 39 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2014 750li Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	No but you can use a gloss eurethane on top of it.
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07-09-2012, 01:04 PM	#18
ramirez330i MATTE 47 Rep 515 Posts Drives: '13 VW Golf R Join Date: May 2011 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (7)	Use a heat gun and a 4" roll of vinyl. Do not plastidip. I've done it about 10 times pm me if you have specific questions __________________ Full Mod List: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647519 A-RAM WRAPS- VINYL WRAPPING SERVICES IN HOUSTON http://imageshack.us/g/818/dsc02742e.jpg/ Matte Frozen Grey e90: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=709625[SIGPIC]
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07-09-2012, 01:49 PM	#20
NYC6 Banned 71 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY iTrader: (0)	OP, would replacing the trim with OEM black trim be worthwhile? Dont know how much it would cost but it would certainly look nicer.
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