Vinyl vs. black primer for side window and head light covers
Discussion
All, my head light covers were in bad shape so I replaced them. Side windows too. After discussion with another Ultima owner (K Wright) the suggestion was to try vinyl rather then brush on the black primer for the border. Also, to use strip caulk as the adhesive for the headlight covers. For the side windows, mine are removable with six screws. For the side windows I put the vinyl border and then put an automotive foam on the back side of the windows, attaching the foam to the vinyl border.
In both cases the vinyl is on the back side. So far it came out really nice. So I'll keep you posted regarding the durability as compared to the black primer.
3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080. This is the same vinyl used to wrap cars.
3M Strip Caulk as the adhesive.
Foam Sealing Tape for the back of the Windows. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/wind...
I posted a few pictures.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/K0mBfyJm.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/r0i2xiUl" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/r0i2xiUl.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/YUxICjp2" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/YUxICjp2.jpg)
In both cases the vinyl is on the back side. So far it came out really nice. So I'll keep you posted regarding the durability as compared to the black primer.
3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080. This is the same vinyl used to wrap cars.
3M Strip Caulk as the adhesive.
Foam Sealing Tape for the back of the Windows. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/wind...
I posted a few pictures.
Edited by 2001ultima on Friday 9th September 14:42
2001ultima, were these a role of tape vinyl or out of a sheet? ie did you havce to stretch the vinyl around the bends or stick on a sheet and cut out the centre?
I did the inside of my windscreen sunvisor and it looked great. I'll be doing the side windows too, but not suree whether to buy inch strip or a complete cover and cut?
Pete
I did the inside of my windscreen sunvisor and it looked great. I'll be doing the side windows too, but not suree whether to buy inch strip or a complete cover and cut?
Pete
LuckyP said:
2001ultima, were these a role of tape vinyl or out of a sheet? ie did you havce to stretch the vinyl around the bends or stick on a sheet and cut out the centre?
I did the inside of my windscreen sunvisor and it looked great. I'll be doing the side windows too, but not suree whether to buy inch strip or a complete cover and cut?
Pete
Pete,I did the inside of my windscreen sunvisor and it looked great. I'll be doing the side windows too, but not suree whether to buy inch strip or a complete cover and cut?
Pete
I bought a 3 x 5 ft sheet. I thought I would need all of it. It turned out that once I cut the piece for the side window I realized that the center section was enough to cover a head light cover. So this worked out nice in the case I messed up I still have extra. It takes a little work to get the vinyl on. After the vinyl was on and wrapped around to cover the edge too, I then used an sharp razor/knife to trim the edge and entire outer boarder. Then I measured the width of the border that I wanted and used a guide to draw a consistent line representing the border. At this time there is vinyl stuck to good portion of side window. Then I took my razor/knife and cut on the line I drew and then pealed away the excess vinyl. After cutting the border, I would guess that it cut into the side window but you can't tell. If you remove the vinyl sometime in the future, I think you would see the cut line. I saw a you tube videos of a car getting wrapped and the installer was also using a hair dryer for heat. I didn't use heat. Maybe it would have helped I don't know. I did stretch the vinyl as needed. The real trick I learned is as you stick the vinyl on don't follow the contour. the vinyl should be flat and go from one end to the other. Then once you have the vinyl spanning across the side window end to end, then push down along the edge creating the border. My first window took a good bit of time but then the others went quick.
Jim
Jim
YIIHAA said:
So you are relying on the adhesion of the vinyl to the polycarbonate rather than the adhesion of a properly primed surface with PU adhesive?
Yes. The vinyl I used is automotive grade. Although what is exposed is the sticky side. It's looks good. So now I need to get it out in the weather (sun, cold, hot, rain) to see if it holds up. If it doesn't I can removed it all easily and go the primed route again. Also, since I used the 3M strip caulk I can easily start over. My goal is to not have pealing primer which happened to the original covers.LuckyP said:
Is jim relying on bolts?
I'm not relying on bolts for the headlight covers. The 3M strip caulk is very sticky. If it doesn't seem to hold down once in the weather I'll need to consider 4 bolt on each corner but I would first try adding a second row of strip caulk. I like the look of no bolts. The goal with this is to expect the inevitable aging of the car and be able to deal with it as easily as possible. The primer will age and pull away with time as Jim has seen. This arrangement will do the same but is easily serviced. 4 small black nylon screws would make it absolutely bullet proof.
The non-hardening caulk is great tool for sealing gaps that flex or that you may want to service later.
Fire up some more photos of your flanges to help seal the light boxes!
Envious of the time you have to perfect this car. It is the color to get the car in.
The non-hardening caulk is great tool for sealing gaps that flex or that you may want to service later.
Fire up some more photos of your flanges to help seal the light boxes!
Envious of the time you have to perfect this car. It is the color to get the car in.
k wright said:
More interesting would be what primer did you use?
Dow Corning Betawipe 4002, an "Adhesion Promoter for Plastics". More details in this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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