Tail-light Tinting Day - Sat 11 July - Switzerland

[Jimmy S]

So...

Dave and I are planning on installing the fancy tail-light tint this coming Saturday at Switzerland, and I know there were a few of us WA crew who bought the tint, so we are extending an invitation to anyone else who would like to join us!
Also, it doubles as an opportunity to grab your tint at the same time even if you can't hang around to fit them!

Anyway... 12 mid-day at Switzerland, PM me for the address if you don't know where it is!

Bring it on!

P.S - this event will be cancelled if the tint doesn't get here obviously!

[Arith]

Count me in!

[libsti]

Count me in!

ready to go now jim?

[Jimmy S]

hahah... Just drive over for the day Jim?

[dwayne]

Yep, I should make it, thanks for the heads up Jimmy !

[Arith]

Here's some steps I posted in the Group Buy thread if you're interested:

I'm not a professional installer nor do I have vast experience in tint. But here are some of my steps which may or may not help others attempting this:

Useful Items

• Plastic squeegee that came with the tint
• Spray bottle with water/dishwashing liquid mix
• Hair dryer or heat gun
• Phillips screwdriver
• Extremely sharp razor/blade
• Towel
• Surface cleaners

Let's Get Started

1. I found it much easier to work on the taillights while they were lying flat on a solid surface. That way I didn't have to worry about scratching, wetting, or blemishing the car. So I recommend removing the taillights if you have time. It's quite simple. Just unfasten the shopping bag hooks (rotate until it's upside down, and jam a small screwdriver in the hole to un-do it), peel back the lining, and then unscrew the x4 nuts holding the taillights in place. After disconnecting the wire harness, simply pull the taillight out.
2. Place the taillight on top of the towel while in a nice comfortable area, preferably inside the house where it's warm!
3. Flip the taillight over onto it's surface. There are x2 screws that hold that chrome strip in place. Unscrew those and remove the chrome strip.
4. Clean the taillight surface thoroughly with the surface cleaners
5. Peel the tint film from the paper backing, being sure to hold it by one of the square tabs sticking out. This will prevent finger prints on the film!
6. As markii suggested before, use a blend of water with a bit of dishwashing liquid for the spray bottle, and spray generously on both the taillight surface and the tint film (the sticky part).
7. Lay the tint film on the taillight and align it so that no areas are exposed. You should have about 5-10mm of excess film at the borders. The water/soap mix should allow the tint to move about freely without being stuck to the taillight
8. Going from one side to the other or from the centre out to the edge, use the squeegee to start pushing out the water between the two layers. Use the hair dryer to quicken this process. As the water is evacuated and the tint film starts to dry, it will start to stick to the taillight. Also use the squeegee to squeeze out any air pockets to the edge.
9. Keep the hair drying running constantly as you're squeezing out the water and air, as it will help evaporate the water but also soften the tint film. There's a curve in the taillight, and heated film will be soft and adhere to that curve better.
10. At the edges where you have excess film, there will be air pockets as the film tends to curl up. Just keep focusing on the other areas until they are relatively bubble free.
11. With the main area finished, take the sharp razo/blade and run it at the edges, cutting the excess film. If you didn't remove the chrome strip, the bottom part gets a bit difficult.
12. With the excess trimmed, run the squeegee and hair dryer through the edges again, this time it should be more cooperative.
13. Re-install the chrome strip
14. Re-install the taillights and re-connect the wire harness
15. Sit back, relax, and admire your efforts.
16. Now take some damn pics and post it up on this forum or we will kill you.

If you notice any haze or milky areas, this is normal as it occurs in the tinting of windows as well. It should eventually disappear after a while. Air pockets should go away as well. Usually within 1-3 weeks.

Ok, hope that helps some folks out there! Good luck!

[scary]

Gents the tint has arrived. I don't know if I will be able to install on Saturday but can probably drop the film off. If not I am sure we will be going to lunch this friday so I will bring it along then.

Cheers Jim for the speedy delivery!

[GTSPECB STI]

good news Shane and good excuse to have lunch on Friday !

[Jimmy S]

great news... 2 mods in 3 days for me!

Don't think I'll be able to make lunch tomorrow, but will be there Saturday for sure!

[dwayne]

D'oh I can't make Switzerland on Saturday - forgot I have a wedding to go to.

Will catch up with someone sometime - Shane, will pick up from your work in the next week or two.

I'm unfortunately a no go for lunch tomorrow too...
Dwayne

[GTSPECB STI]

Ok boys how about we try and pick another day for this install then?

[Jimmy S]

I'm still keen to get them on if you are Dave? but whatevers easiest!

[GTSPECB STI]

I picked up the tints from Shane. Looks more like a full afternoon job if you include sanding and painting the chrome strips.

[suff]

So where are the pic's Gents?!

[Jimmy S]

yeah... didn't get the tints done in the end... we decided it was going to be an "at home" job so as to let the lights dry overnight or at least for a good period of time!
So, we just washed the car... and will see if I can get the tint on during the week!