qballjr13

Ok, so I smoked out my side markers this weekend and wanted to share some pictures. I used Lamin-X (www.lamin-x.com) charcoal film. It was pretty easy but it’s definitely nice to have an extra set of hands to help you. The part number I ordered was #2-612, it was a set of two 6”x12” sheets. It was perfect for the four side markers. I cut each sheet in half the long way, making 4 – 3”x 12” pieces. We started to follow the directions by applying soapy water to the lens and applying the film but actually found it to be easier if you just applied it directly without the water. The hardest part was fitting it around the rounded ends of the markers. This requires your wife’s hair drier and cutting a lot of little relief slits in the film. The hair drier is huge in fitting the film. The product is very thick and not easily workable until you heat it so soften it.

STOCK



IN PROGRESS

qballjr13

FINISHED

GigEmAgs07

looks good!

KCMC582

iTrader: (4)

that does look pretty good. more even coverage that nightshadesobviously since its a film, and it seems to make them pretty dark. not bad at all. i may want to try this on another set of clears and see how it looks.

Bluesbrekr

iTrader: (4)

Looks good. A great alternative to Night Shades. (which is how I did mine)

qballjr13

I forgot to add that the set of film cost me $30.90 (shipped) still cheaper than ANY set of "smoked sidemarkers" that go for like $40 for just the fronts...and they are darker.

hybridioN

iTrader: (11)

eat that, ce.

looks good. i may just have to try this.

qballjr13

EXACTLY, that is why I wanted to post this so bad!

chr0nos

iTrader: (1)

holy ****. can you use regular llumar or solar gard film? its about $2 per square foot. or is this stuff made for plastic?

qballjr13

Here is what I learned from talking to a couple of people. This product, Lamin-X, is similar to a 3M Clear Bra. I believe Llumar and Solar Gaurd are both window tint??? I asked the guy who did my tint if I could use just a window tint and he said no. He said that tint will not hold up with the moisture on the exterior of a car. It will just bulb and peel off.

2kprlmax

iTrader: (16)

can you take pics of the side markers on at night and the day so we can see how it looks.

Nice job also.

Barc

iTrader: (2)

I've actually tried that... Sadly, I couldn't make it work using standard tinting techniques. Maybe it would work with heat or something, but I just ended up painting mine.

qballjr13

These were taken in my dark garage. But I can say that they barely look different with the lights on, which is what I wanted so no one hassles me about them. The pictures really dont do it enough justice, but I will share to try to help out.

qballjr13

There is no way you can work with this stuff without heat. Its 17mm thick and very rigid, you absolutely have to warm it up to work with it at all.

hybridioN

iTrader: (11)

are you using regular bulbs or did you get brighter ones?

qballjr13

They have to be stock, the brighter bulbs are too hot and will melt the film from what I was told (by a 3M Clear Bra installer)

cutter

iTrader: (1)

Nice job....how did you cut yourself? There are some blood drops near the sidemarkers

qballjr13

No blood, which is unusual for me! Thats red paint from another project...my workbench gets used very often!

cutter

iTrader: (1)

lol....oh that definitely looks like blood to me.

qballjr13

Maybe I should have said it was....that would have been a better story!

Barc

iTrader: (2)

That stuff is over half an inch thick? (17mm = something like 2/3")

Regular wnidow tint just doesn't stick properly nor does it stay stuck once you do get it "looking" right. I was referring to the fact that you may be able to melt it on! lol

qballjr13

Oops, I meant 7mils...not 17mm...sorry about that. I guess I was way off on that one.

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

i'm getting tired of the clear sides..does anyone has a whte pearl with the dark markers??? it looks nice.. I like it

scheibler

iTrader: (6)

I'm getting ready to. I can't decide wether to stick with stock sidemarkers and smoke them or get clears and then smoked them. Iw ill post pics when I do.

qballjr13

Thanks! Check out the Lamin-X website, they have two different "smoked" films. One is called "smoked" and the one I used was "charcoal" (obviously darker than the smoked). They also have blue and yellow but I have a feeling those would look like crap or serious rice on side markers.

qballjr13

I was trying to spend as little money as possible yet do it right. So I obviously chose to do it over the stock side markers. Just make sure if you use the clears that you use a bulb that is not hotter than the stock bulb...it will melt the film (so I have been told).

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

me and irish used black spray paint followed by a clear coat...$5 for 8 sidemarkers.

qballjr13

[QUOTE=soonerfan]me and irish used black spray paint followed by a clear coat...$5 for 8 sidemarkers.



QUOTE]

Yeah I saw your cars and they both look sweet done like that. I was just going for something a little less permanent. This film can be removed if need-be without buying new lenses. Now I know it would be a PITA to remove it but I think it can be done. If you dont care about that, than painting them is the way to go. I know Irish is the of the $5 mod!