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Tint Installation Guides (Tail/Head/Fog Lights)

Posted by JDMFV on 26th Feb 2024

TINT INSTALLATION GUIDE

Required Hardware:

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED


PLEASE READ ENTIRE INSTRUCTION GUIDE FIRST BEFORE INSTALLATION SO YOU KNOW THE NEXT STEP TO AVOID MISTAKES


Water Solution Preparation: 

Mix water and a couple drops of liquid dish soap or baby shampoo in a spray bottle to make a water solution

Surface Area Preparation:

Use the mixed water solution to thoroughly clean the surface of the lights, being certain to remove all grease, wax, tar and dirt

Dry the surface with a lint free cloth

INSTALLATION IS BEST PERFORMED IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT


STEP 1:

Wet your fingers thoroughly with the water solution. It is important that you DO NOT touch the exposed adhesive surface of the kit with dry fingers. Handling the adhesive side of the vinyl with dry fingers will leave marks that might not go away.

STEP 2:

Spray your vehicles lens surface thoroughly with the water solution.

Apply the vinyl to the lens and use your fingers to position the vinyl  and smooth the  piece onto the lens from center outward (See step 4 for contoured surfaces) 

*some kits may be oversized to ease the installation process - trimming will be required after installation


STEP 3:

Spray the vinyl  and use a squeegee to force the water solution out along the edges of the kit by using firm, continuous strokes, from the center outward. Remember, keep the surface wet to avoid scratching or ripping the vinyl

work the vinyl 1-inch at a time.. work your way from the center outward 1-inch at a time

STEP 4: 

On contoured surfaces, the adhesive will sometimes not stick to the lens immediately.

In this case, use the heat gun or hair dryer to gently warm the vinyl. This will soften the vinyl & allow you to pull, stretch, or work the vinyl into impressions and around contours of the lens.

Heat will also help activate the adhesive and evaporate the moisture allowing for better adhesion and contouring of the material.

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER

 

Patience and heat is KEY to successfully installing your new overlays

Work the vinyl ONLY 1-inch at a time

DO NOT over heat the vinyl it simply needs to be warmed up to soften the vinyl and help w/ contouring

STEP 5: 

Once you have installed your overlays it is now time to post heat.

on moderate heat, post heat the vinyl and watch out for bubbling, shrinkage or fingering. Once the film is completely relaxed and you do not see any shrinkage or fingering on the edges. Let the film cool off for a couple minutes.

If you see any large bubbles, simply lift the vinyl back up, spray with the water solution, add heat, and start to squeegee again.


STEP 6:

Some kits may be oversized and will require trimming or tucking. If your kit is oversized, this is the time to tuck the film around the edges or trim the excess vinyl (if any). 

if you prefer to trim the excess film, using your x-acto knife or razor blade, cut the excess vinyl using the edge of the lens as a guide.

Removing Air Bubbles: 

There is a possibility that you may see some air bubbles under your vinyl after the install. Small bubbles will disappear within a few days/weeks under the sun. The larger bubbles can be removed by using a pin or your x-acto knife to puncture a small hole on the side of the bubble and use your finger to push the air out


Side Markers, reflectors, third brake lights installation instructions:

Side markers, reflectors and 3rd brake lights are usually cut 100% to size which will make installation very simple.

1. wet your fingers. 

2. Peel off the backing paper and apply the film directly on the lens (water solution may not be required)

3. use your fingers or a squeegee to push out any air bubbles.

4 Once applied, use a heat gun or hair dryer to help activate the adhesive