DIY: Vinyl your foglights

[mystikalstriker]

Supplies Needed: Razorblade/exacto knife, blow dryer or heat gun, vinyl, vinyl applicator or credit card, cup of soap and water mixed.




NOTE: * The fog light I'm using already has a yellow lens but whatever, in the end you can still see a difference between the yellow lens it came with and the one I applied vinyl to.

So why vinyl your fogs instead of paint? Simple:

1) Vinyl will protect your fogs from minor chips and scratches from road debris.
2) It's a more forgiving process putting on than paint.
3) It's reversible, just peel it off and clean your lens
4) NO POLLUTION!!! Hahah, well maybe.
5) You don't have to be 18 to buy. *Well in CA they check your ID for paint*



STEP 1: Put a little bit of liquid soap in a cup and mix it with warm water.


*The cup should look a little bit like this


STEP 2: Clean the surface of the foglight to remove any dirt/debris.


STEP 3: Dip your hand in the soap/water mixture and then let a few drops of that mixture drop on the lenses. Don't put too much water on the lens, just enough for you to spread a thin layer of water on the lense. Too much water will make it more difficult to get the vinyl on properly.


*this is just a little bit too much soap/water on the lens.....a little less than this.


STEP 4: Peel and apply the vinyl on the fog light.




STEP 5: Center the vinyl to cover the fog light correctly.




STEP 6: Use the blow dryer and direct it towards the fog light. This should soften up the vinyl so it contours to the shape of the fog light.






STEP 7: While the blow dryer is softening up the vinyl, use your credit card to push out any air bubbles. This helps shape the vinyl as well.

[mystikalstriker]

STEP 8: After the vinyl is adheres a bit to the fog light. Cut off the excess by trimming along the inside of the fog light as shown. Do it slowly and carefully so you don't remove too much vinyl. After cutting slowly peel off the excess.






STEP 9: After peeling the vinyl may either come off a bit. Use the blow dryer and credit card to soften up the vinyl and use the credit card to push it down for it to adhere to the lens correctly.






And your end product:






Comparison: *Left is regular ebay yellow lense. *Right is ebay yellow lens with vinyl applied. Note that if you have a clear lens fog light, your outcome will look like the right lens.



FAQ:

Q: Why use soap/water?
A: This helps the vinyl stick on better and helps you apply the vinyl and have it contour to the shape of the lens.

Q: What if I put it on the vinyl wrong?
A: Peel it off and start again, vinyl is very forgiving with mistakes. As long as you soften the vinyl with a blow dryer you have many chances to redeem yourself.

Q: Where can I get this vinyl.
A: Check my sig or PM/email me.

Q: Is this lamin-x?
A: Nope, but just like it and cheaper. Same shit different ass as I would say.

[JackandCoke]

lol i liked how you use your feet to prop it up, but anyways when i applied mines i went all out and made sure it will never peel from the side by taking apart the fog assembly and quick gluing the sides, but i wish i knew i could've used soap it would've been alot easier to get the bubbles out.

[shwafia]

Wouldn't the temp of the fog light effect the vinyl after prolonged use of the fog lights?

[mystikalstriker]

Originally Posted by shwafia

Wouldn't the temp of the fog light effect the vinyl after prolonged use of the fog lights?

i had it for 2 years and no prob thus far during that time frame.

[mxlu]

it make its 2934789023 times better if you remove the black frame cause you dont have to cut perfect. and if you get any stubborn bubbles just let it set for 24 hours (kinda like window tint)

[typeSex]

not bad. looks good

[ycgold123]

Very nice

[Dlogz615]

Hey were do i get the yellow vinyl that u used?

[soccerman002]

Originally Posted by Dlogz615

Hey were do i get the yellow vinyl that u used?

Reading > You

[stock k20]

do those fog lights come apart? i want to do the same thing but i'm considering pianting the housing

[*DavidP*]

looks good. so the vinyl forever sticks?

[hau]

awesome! i installed mine on saturday, looks great!

[Dlogz615]

Originally Posted by soccerman002

Reading > You

What does that mean? I was just wondering to get the yellow vinyl that he used cuz i have no clue?

[mystikalstriker]

Originally Posted by stock k20

do those fog lights come apart? i want to do the same thing but i'm considering pianting the housing

yeah they do come apart, all you need is remove some screws and a little bit of force.

Originally Posted by Dlogz615

What does that mean? I was just wondering to get the yellow vinyl that he used cuz i have no clue?

Check my signature below this line ^ ^

[mystikalstriker]

Originally Posted by *DavidP*

looks good. so the vinyl forever sticks?

Does stick forever, but it has an outdoor life rating of 2-3 years. After that it may still last longer, but as it starts to wear out and get dull, you peel it and reapply a new set.

It'll may last a little less than yellow bulbs, but cost 1/4 as much. Which means more money savings for other mods!!!!

[viewloader44]

is there any difference with the light up? pics?

[ScottTam]

will the unit get too hot for the vinyl when its on?

[Abprsxs90]

Great write up! Did mine today and looks awesome!

[808_dC5]

looks fucking clean!!!!!

[cloy26]

I installed my fogs, and I noticed that one seems faded... And its the yellow paint or vinyl or whatever is on them alreday. My question is, would putting a piece of vinyl on the faded one make it back to more of a yellow? Like one is a faded almost green and one is a good dark yellow. Kind of like the pic of the 2 comparisons up top, but its a little more greenish.... Anyone have similar problems?

[mystikalstriker]

Originally Posted by cloy26

I installed my fogs, and I noticed that one seems faded... And its the yellow paint or vinyl or whatever is on them alreday. My question is, would putting a piece of vinyl on the faded one make it back to more of a yellow? Like one is a faded almost green and one is a good dark yellow. Kind of like the pic of the 2 comparisons up top, but its a little more greenish.... Anyone have similar problems?

putting vinyl over them might leave the faded fog to be just a bit lighter. My brother puts vinyl on his because his EK9 depot fog lights faded as well.

Also this vinyl will not burn/melt. I've been running them for at least a month now no prob. Before this I was running them on OEM DC2 fog lights with no prob.

[cloy26]

Will it be less noticeable? 'cause now it's pretty shitty looking.

[mystikalstriker]

Originally Posted by cloy26

Will it be less noticeable? 'cause now it's pretty shitty looking.

yup, less noticeable.

[Ramen Lunei]

hm.. think i can do this without removing the foglights from the bumper?