$0 color matched side reflector mod DIY!!

jlstyle · 11-18-2009, 04:42 PM

Before I begin, this mod probably only work for people with JB/BSM/AW cars.
Here we go.

Difficulty: As easiest as it can get.
Tools: Your finger nails, exacto knife.
Total time required: Anywhere between 5~20 min.

Goal is to get rid of this ugly amber reflector.

1. Go to the local signage shop and ask for scrap glossy adhesive film.
Our local lady gave me about 2'x2' scrap for free as they have no use for it other than having it around for color reference.

2. Then wipe your reflector with damp towel.

3. Cut the film sized to it.

4. Place over the reflector in top to bottom motion.

5. Go over it with kitchen towel or whatever.

6. Go through the crease with your finger nail then you will feel most of the part is cutting right off.

7. Go over it with exacto knife to ensure the clean cut.

8. Pull off the outer tapes.

9. Finished!

Close up.

Color match for JB is 99.999999% to my eyes.

How hard was it???????
Now you don't have to spend $50+ for painted reflectors! (At least for black and white owners)

jlstyle · 11-18-2009, 04:47 PM

All fixed!

yamazaho · 11-18-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Pardon my huge pictures dudes!

ummm, I don't see anything...

Kensta335 · 11-18-2009, 05:00 PM

Nice.

NiVeDh · 11-18-2009, 05:23 PM

Creative!

mkPOTO · 11-18-2009, 05:25 PM

very nice

tres · 11-18-2009, 05:29 PM

nice

NRG · 11-18-2009, 05:34 PM

Very creative.

But what if...

khaye1 · 11-18-2009, 05:37 PM

not exactly $0, but close enough...i did beat you to it though, you can do that with the grill too.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272011

and I tried it with my AW and there's no vinyl that will match AW

Zirenz2006 · 11-18-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaye1

not exactly $0, but close enough...i did beat you to it though, you can do that with the grill too.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272011

and I tried it with my AW and there's no vinyl that will match AW

You just saved me a trip to my local sign shop to get white vinyl. I was hoping it would work.

catch · 11-18-2009, 06:11 PM

very nice!

lito · 11-18-2009, 06:18 PM

not bad.

veightkiller · 11-18-2009, 06:19 PM

Nicely done, i like it!

jlstyle · 11-18-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NRG

Very creative.

But what if...

Well then I do it again with left over!

yamazaho · 11-18-2009, 06:30 PM

I like it, can you take some pic outdoor in the sun or something? I think it will still look legit.

Ender514 · 11-18-2009, 06:50 PM

nice going!

yooooooo · 11-18-2009, 07:00 PM

nothing beats free

Craig@SupremePower · 11-18-2009, 08:54 PM

not something i would do but its an idea...

jlstyle · 11-18-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamazaho

I like it, can you take some pic outdoor in the sun or something? I think it will still look legit.

Well picture won't tell you much since my car has so much swirl marks.
But I tell you what, you can't really tell the difference.
Shine quality is same if not better, darkness is the same and it seriously looks like it's OEM. I was very surprised.

c-who · 11-18-2009, 09:22 PM

Not bad..

WILLIE92 · 11-18-2009, 09:26 PM

I bet thats the way Martha stewart would do it! JK !! pretty creative idea i must say.

dvpouldar26 · 11-18-2009, 11:26 PM

Ive been doing this for many cars and e92's including mine. I have done 4 e92s and many other cars such as a 650i, SL500, etc. IMO, its better than painted because its very easily removable and repairable. If in LA and you're interested, I charge $35. And btw, any color is possible, Ive done jet black, black sapphire metallic, space grey, and AW all with perfect color matches.

11-18-2009, 04:42 PM	#1
jlstyle Lieutenant Colonel 355 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: Porsche Panamera Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Audi S7 [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00]	$0 color matched side reflector mod DIY!! Before I begin, this mod probably only work for people with JB/BSM/AW cars. Here we go. Difficulty: As easiest as it can get. Tools: Your finger nails, exacto knife. Total time required: Anywhere between 5~20 min. Goal is to get rid of this ugly amber reflector. 1. Go to the local signage shop and ask for scrap glossy adhesive film. Our local lady gave me about 2'x2' scrap for free as they have no use for it other than having it around for color reference. 2. Then wipe your reflector with damp towel. 3. Cut the film sized to it. 4. Place over the reflector in top to bottom motion. 5. Go over it with kitchen towel or whatever. 6. Go through the crease with your finger nail then you will feel most of the part is cutting right off. 7. Go over it with exacto knife to ensure the clean cut. 8. Pull off the outer tapes. 9. Finished! Close up. Color match for JB is 99.999999% to my eyes. How hard was it??????? Now you don't have to spend $50+ for painted reflectors! (At least for black and white owners) Last edited by jlstyle; 11-18-2009 at 09:06 PM..
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11-18-2009, 04:47 PM	#2
jlstyle Lieutenant Colonel 355 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: Porsche Panamera Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Audi S7 [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00]	All fixed!
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11-18-2009, 05:00 PM	#4
Kensta335 Brigadier General 161 Rep 3,637 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal 626 iTrader: (4)	Nice.
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11-18-2009, 05:23 PM	#5
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	Creative!
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11-18-2009, 05:25 PM	#6
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello 636 Rep 16,662 Posts Drives: BMW M3 \| X5 xdrive 35i MSport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (25) Garage List 2002 Lexus GS300 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [5.58]	very nice
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11-18-2009, 05:29 PM	#7
tres Major 34 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: maryland iTrader: (6)	nice
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11-18-2009, 05:34 PM	#8
NRG Lieutenant Colonel 36 Rep 1,658 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal QC iTrader: (5)	Very creative. But what if... Attached Images
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11-18-2009, 05:37 PM	#9
khaye1 Colonel 145 Rep 2,809 Posts Drives: 18 AW F80 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (8)	not exactly $0, but close enough...i did beat you to it though, you can do that with the grill too. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272011 and I tried it with my AW and there's no vinyl that will match AW __________________
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11-18-2009, 06:11 PM	#11
catch Major General 668 Rep 7,148 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Thornhill iTrader: (27)	very nice! __________________ 2016 F80 M3 Mineral White/Sakhir Orange 2013 BMW S1000RR Flat Silver <stolen> 2007 BMW E92 335i Jet Black/Jade Grey <sold>
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11-18-2009, 06:18 PM	#12
lito Colonel 167 Rep 2,174 Posts Drives: E92, F30 Join Date: May 2009 Location: DC metro iTrader: (11)	not bad. __________________
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11-18-2009, 06:19 PM	#13
veightkiller Brigadier General 61 Rep 4,150 Posts Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver,B.C iTrader: (3)	Nicely done, i like it!
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11-18-2009, 06:30 PM	#15
yamazaho Wang D.D.S. 185 Rep 7,057 Posts Drives: 14' WRX, 15' W205 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 325i [7.76]	I like it, can you take some pic outdoor in the sun or something? I think it will still look legit. __________________ Official Houston Chat Thread
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11-18-2009, 06:50 PM	#16
Ender514 General 228 Rep 20,998 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	nice going! __________________ 09' E92 335i \| 6MT \| Montego Blue \| Black Dakota Leather \| Dark Burl Walnut \| Premium \| Sport \| Cold Weather \| Nav \| Sirius \| Comfort Access \| iPod and USB adapter
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11-18-2009, 07:00 PM	#17
yooooooo Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 287 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	nothing beats free
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11-18-2009, 08:54 PM	#18
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1000 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	not something i would do but its an idea...
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11-18-2009, 09:22 PM	#20
c-who Captain 55 Rep 927 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NOLA iTrader: (0)	Not bad..
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11-18-2009, 09:26 PM	#21
WILLIE92 H20 KING!! 16 Rep 525 Posts Drives: E92 328I Join Date: May 2009 Location: COLORADO/DOWNEY ,CA iTrader: (0)	I bet thats the way Martha stewart would do it! JK !! pretty creative idea i must say.
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11-18-2009, 11:26 PM	#22
dvpouldar26 Major 64 Rep 1,498 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 328i, Porsche 987.1 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (4)	Ive been doing this for many cars and e92's including mine. I have done 4 e92s and many other cars such as a 650i, SL500, etc. IMO, its better than painted because its very easily removable and repairable. If in LA and you're interested, I charge $35. And btw, any color is possible, Ive done jet black, black sapphire metallic, space grey, and AW all with perfect color matches. __________________ E92 328i Jet Black / Gloss Black Grilles / 8000k D1S low beam / 6000k HID fogs / GP Thunder 8500k angels & cornering bulbs / black reflectors / gloss black vinyled window trim / tints / smoked rear turn signals / black roundels / AC Schnitzer roof spoiler / VRS style decklid spoiler / Matte black Stripes / Rear fogs / matte mirrors / 19" LM reps / APR lip
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