when doing the beltline blackout do you overlap the ends ( rubber) or cut at the rubber chrome junction? pictures would be great.

 

I'll upload a photo in a couple hours,

But I go over the rubber endcaps so that the vinyl matches the end of the cap. I found that when I didn't the vinyl has a tendancy to shrink just a tad and shows about 1 to 2 mm of chrome (which is totally noticeable to someone who is super complusive and a perfectionist when it comes to my cars).

 

okay, here ya go,

Looking at this close-up photo I could probably go in w/ an X-acto and very carefully slice off the ends where it wraps, ...yet when you look at it in real life it looks really good as it is and doesn't look like it needs to be trimmed.

 

I would do it the way that eR1c suggested. Run it to the end of the cap.

BUT, the additional step I did was to let it sit for a day to allow for vinyl to shrink, then go back and trim off excess at the point where the chrome and plastic meet.

Hope that helps!
Anthony

 

YES, ...You can do it that way, ...OR just be really careful to not stretch the vinyl as you apply it. You don't want it loose, yet you don't want it too tight either. There is a tendancy to stretch a bit as you get towards the end of the section your doing. ...so waiting a day isn't a bad idea.

 

not sure if you know this, but I'd recommend to not apply the vinyl over the top portion of rubber ...there won't be enough vinyl to get a good grip and you'll end up w/ frayed edges of vinyl at the top. Best to line up the vinyl top where the top of thte chrome meets the lower portion of the top piece of rubber. YOu'll end up w/ about 6mm-8mm of vinly over the lower portion of rubber (below the chrome) yet you can tuck that in w/ a plastic scraper ...plus that 6-8mm of vinyl will give a better grip at the bottom and stay in place.

 

I just found out doing the belt line in 88 degree sunny Florida weather is impossible. When trying to tuck the bottom, it leaves a whole bunch of residue where it was resting on the paint. The tape just gets too soft to work with in this heat!

 

oh no! :(

Yeah, I did mine at 10PM at night in my garage. It was about 68 degrees in my garage so the car was quite cool.

 

If in direct sunlight or on hot days the tape will stretch itself out too....

I guided mine so it was just under the top black ridge so it doesn't bunch up and let the little excess go down and under.

Cut tape off square beyond ends while applying and then go back with razor blade and make angles. Helps if you indent tape first with fingernail so razor blade has a line to follow belt line's end cap.

Thought a photo using another color may help ya better to see end caps...

IMG_0494.jpg?t=1241550446

IMG_0493-1.jpg?t=1241550546

 

I went over my caps ...they are holding really well, yet am thinking of trimming the overlap off like you did.

 

I bought vinyl for my beltline but didnt like it (thought it looked too much like tape)

Does anyone know any other way to black it out?

 

You could always mask it off and spray with plastidip.

 

Is it possible to take off the line and spray it?

 

for the tops/bottoms use a small hook or toothpick etc and sweep it from side to side pulling the rubber up and over the top and bottom section of the tape.

and no afaik you can not pull it off and spray it - and don't plastidip it b/c that stuff is liquid and gravity tends to pull it downward at 32 ft/sec^2

 

Go for the PlastiDip. I did a test with the belt on my boot. It is easy you just have to do it on a very calm nice day. I live in CT and since I did the test we have had rain 90% of the days since. As soon as it get nice again I'm going to finish the rest of the belt line. The whole tape thing is ok but the ends just look like crap for me. I want it to be clean.

 

I'm tempted to go plastidip but I hear it chips away easily. I currently have the vinyl on but I agree the ends look like crap.

 

I just plastidiped my side scuttles and gas cap and is so pleased on how super easy and super good it looks!

Im probably going to do the beltline tomorrow with plastidip. I decided to give the vinyl a second chance today but it really looks awful.

Hey, toolazyforalogin, have you tried to take the beltline off? Is it easy to get back on? Im really reluctant because i feel like im not going to be able to get it back on.

 

FWIR you can't take the beltline off.

 

How much plastidip is needed? I have a single spray can of the stuff and am considering doing this. Also, which edge do you mask?

 

One can should be enough if it's full. I did all my trim minus the beltline with one and a half cans.

I'm really thinking about Plasti-dipping the beltline, but I'm really paranoid about it getting all over the glass and the rest of the car without me noticing right away. It sucks that it can break so easily if you try to pop it out.

 

I have not removed all the beltline, but most of it comes off pretty easy.
If you go to this link and open the pdf file there are pictures on how to remove.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tall-gen2.html