BMW Shadowline FAIL

Brettprmsry · 10-18-2015, 11:03 PM

Recently tried to install the black glossy vinyl from BMW Shadowline and just couldn't live up to the task. Have had my 128 for about a month now and wanted to take care of the chrome right off the bat, but managed to mess it up pretty easily. I tapped out at about an hour in and didn't get too far. Really wish I was better with vinyl, because looking at the people who have accomplished it, I'm extremely envious haha. Has anyone had any recent success stories with this DIY?

Maxsensation · 10-19-2015, 01:17 AM

do it the lazy way and plasti dip it. way easier if you ask me. only hard part is taping everything off so you dont get the stuff all over the car. Took me a good day to finish the chrome trim around the car.

Dackelone · 10-19-2015, 04:25 AM

Just have a pro do it. It's not that expensive. Wrapping is very hard to do right. Its an artform.

nacaruh · 10-19-2015, 02:31 PM

Did you apply heat??
A heat gun is absolutely needed when doing ANY vinyl job.
With heat, wiggling, and some patience you will get it done!

Brettprmsry · 10-19-2015, 08:46 PM

Thanks for all the tips and alternatives!! I will definitely think twice before trying to handle any other DIY's!

Mach1er · 10-19-2015, 09:08 PM

I tried it, failed miserably and then plastidipped for a while. Bird poo eats through plastidip, though, so I took it off once it looked bad. Have yet to take it to a pro, but it's happening soon.

Maxsensation · 10-20-2015, 01:03 AM

birdpoo eats through anything, even your paint. just wipe it off quickly. vinyl will stain too

chris82 · 10-20-2015, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brettprmsry

Recently tried to install the black glossy vinyl from BMW Shadowline and just couldn't live up to the task. Have had my 128 for about a month now and wanted to take care of the chrome right off the bat, but managed to mess it up pretty easily. I tapped out at about an hour in and didn't get too far. Really wish I was better with vinyl, because looking at the people who have accomplished it, I'm extremely envious haha. Has anyone had any recent success stories with this DIY?

I succeeded my first try with no prior vinyl experience. I didn't even use a heat gun/hair drier, I applied it in the sun, and that was enough heat to get it to curve to the trim of the car. It wasn't easy, especially if you want to get it perfect. Anyways, It was great stuff, but in the end I decided to go with a chrome theme. Unfortunately when I took it off, well that stuff did not come off very nicely, I still have residue left that seems impossible to get off. Oh well.

Tworl28 · 10-22-2015, 07:32 AM

Yessss! It took some trial and error but a few tries and I got it down. Take your time and get those bubbles out. Not perfect but looks sweet.

Brettprmsry · 10-27-2015, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 128tworl

Yessss! It took some trial and error but a few tries and I got it down. Take your time and get those bubbles out. Not perfect but looks sweet.

Looks so good! Good job man. Makes me want to try again haha
Still have 95% of the roll left so I'm thinkin' I'll just go for it.

10-18-2015, 11:03 PM	#1
Brettprmsry Private 6 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 128i black on red Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	BMW Shadowline FAIL Recently tried to install the black glossy vinyl from BMW Shadowline and just couldn't live up to the task. Have had my 128 for about a month now and wanted to take care of the chrome right off the bat, but managed to mess it up pretty easily. I tapped out at about an hour in and didn't get too far. Really wish I was better with vinyl, because looking at the people who have accomplished it, I'm extremely envious haha. Has anyone had any recent success stories with this DIY?
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10-19-2015, 01:17 AM	#2
Maxsensation Lieutenant 54 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somewhere? iTrader: (3)	do it the lazy way and plasti dip it. way easier if you ask me. only hard part is taping everything off so you dont get the stuff all over the car. Took me a good day to finish the chrome trim around the car.
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10-19-2015, 04:25 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Just have a pro do it. It's not that expensive. Wrapping is very hard to do right. Its an artform. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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10-19-2015, 02:31 PM	#4
nacaruh FOUO 415 Rep 873 Posts Drives: E82 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: LA iTrader: (5)	Did you apply heat?? A heat gun is absolutely needed when doing ANY vinyl job. With heat, wiggling, and some patience you will get it done!
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10-19-2015, 08:46 PM	#5
Brettprmsry Private 6 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 128i black on red Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the tips and alternatives!! I will definitely think twice before trying to handle any other DIY's!
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10-19-2015, 09:08 PM	#6
Mach1er Lieutenant 86 Rep 524 Posts Drives: '13 128i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I tried it, failed miserably and then plastidipped for a while. Bird poo eats through plastidip, though, so I took it off once it looked bad. Have yet to take it to a pro, but it's happening soon. __________________ '13 128i \| 6MT \| SGM \| Black Boston \| Black Gloss \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech \| HK \| Anti-Theft \| [CDV-Delete \| Clutch Stop \| 30% Pinnacle] Ordered 2.23 \| Production Begin 3.7 \| Ends 3.15 \| Released to carrier 3.18 \| At port 3.19 \| Departed 3.23 (K-line to Brunswick) \| Arrived 4.7 \| Truck 4.12 \| Dealer 4.19
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10-20-2015, 01:03 AM	#7
Maxsensation Lieutenant 54 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Somewhere? iTrader: (3)	birdpoo eats through anything, even your paint. just wipe it off quickly. vinyl will stain too
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10-22-2015, 07:32 AM	#9
Tworl28 Private 12 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW [0.00]	Yessss! It took some trial and error but a few tries and I got it down. Take your time and get those bubbles out. Not perfect but looks sweet. Attached Images
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