Cheap mod: Vinyl over orange reflector

335ifanatic · 12-02-2010, 04:34 AM

So I saw a thread in the DIY section of a member putting vinyl over the reflector so I thought I would try out the mod myself. I've always wanted to replace the orange reflectors but I've always been nervous of damaging my bumper when removing the reflector so this is the next best thing plus it's a very cheap and easy mod to do and can be removed whenever.

Overall I'm happy with the way it came out, it looks good and the vinyl matches up perfectly but my car is JB so glossy black vinyl matches up with ease.

OwnAge · 12-02-2010, 05:37 AM

Yeah it's a good and a cheap mode. Did it too. First time I didn't do a good job but second time it was perfect. No need to pay for full plastic ones. It looks just as good. Been over a year now since I put it on and it still on with no issues

wanlong · 12-10-2010, 12:55 AM

Can I do this for AW?

where did you guys got the vinyl?

gaifaun · 12-12-2010, 03:13 AM

very nice color match! AW is harder to match. the best bet is 3M's antique white. which is white with a touch of yellow. its about a 95% match.

if any of you guys find antique white in Canada let me know! Are there even any vinyl shops here nice enough to give you some scrap pieces for the reflectors?

iSpY · 03-24-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335ifanatic

So I saw a thread in the DIY section of a member putting vinyl over the reflector so I thought I would try out the mod myself. I've always wanted to replace the orange reflectors but I've always been nervous of damaging my bumper when removing the reflector so this is the next best thing plus it's a very cheap and easy mod to do and can be removed whenever.

Overall I'm happy with the way it came out, it looks good and the vinyl matches up perfectly but my car is JB so glossy black vinyl matches up with ease.

Hi 335ifanatic,

I have a JB E90 as well and want to follow your path. Do you have any DIY guide to share? Did you pre-cut the vinyl before you put them on the reflectors?

Thanks,

i-SpY

335ifanatic · 03-24-2011, 06:57 PM

Nope, I put the vinyl on top and used my fingernail to go around the edges. Once that's done, you careful use a exacto knife to cut the edge. It's very easy.

gaifaun · 03-25-2011, 01:52 AM

did anyone find anything locally for alpine white yet?

johnsonz1122 · 03-25-2011, 03:19 AM

where did u get this? i hv jet black too

OwnAge · 03-25-2011, 08:33 AM

get a gloss black vinyl and it will match perfectly. i got mine locally in the store

mabman · 03-25-2011, 10:40 AM

yellow side reflectors look terrible. why did BMW change the design a few years back and decide to put them on their cars. Was it a mandate by MTO or whoever governs car safety that they do it ?

335ifanatic · 04-04-2011, 06:27 PM

Did another cheap mod using the vinyl today....

CarbonTT · 04-04-2011, 07:00 PM

I have it done on mine... darker tint layered over it .. not completely blacked out.. Ill grab a pic tomorrow

djse60 · 04-09-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mabman

yellow side reflectors look terrible. why did BMW change the design a few years back and decide to put them on their cars. Was it a mandate by MTO or whoever governs car safety that they do it ?

By removing the amber/orange from the headlight unit it self they have to place it on the bumper to meet DOT regualtions.

Tonybest · 04-09-2011, 10:11 AM

Cheap mod... as long as you don't get a ticket for it.

gchan · 04-09-2011, 07:25 PM

Any suggestions for vinyl color for space grey?

Lotus99 · 07-05-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335ifanatic

So I saw a thread in the DIY section of a member putting vinyl over the reflector so I thought I would try out the mod myself. I've always wanted to replace the orange reflectors but I've always been nervous of damaging my bumper when removing the reflector so this is the next best thing plus it's a very cheap and easy mod to do and can be removed whenever.

Overall I'm happy with the way it came out, it looks good and the vinyl matches up perfectly but my car is JB so glossy black vinyl matches up with ease.

Nicely done! Can you please share where you got your vinyl?

You think this would work on metallic black too? Check your PM please!

Evolution_GT · 07-05-2011, 10:58 PM

What would best match sparkling graphite?

Fozzy · 07-07-2011, 01:07 PM

went to fabricland - not the right kind of vinyl there. Suggestions?

did you glue it down or did the pressure just make it adhere?

E90MCF · 07-07-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozzy

went to fabricland - not the right kind of vinyl there. Suggestions?

did you glue it down or did the pressure just make it adhere?

LOL

That was a pure blonde moment, fabric vinyl is different than the vinyl used for decals and in this case reflectors.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...fo/Series1080/

Fozzy · 07-07-2011, 03:44 PM

^ I'm kind of blonde...I actually read on some other forums they carried it there. Only trust e90 guys from now on.

I tried a graphics place too and they wouldn't sell me any. Just looking for enough grey to do my driver's side key hole.

floss ur teeth · 05-01-2012, 09:13 AM

What color and brand vinyl did you use OP?

DoD74 · 07-06-2012, 11:44 AM

Most cities have various shops that do custom wrapping and graphics work. I would do an online search and contact them. I am sure you could get a small swatch of vinyl from any custom graphics shop for close to nothing. That's how I got mine...

12-02-2010, 04:34 AM	#1
335ifanatic Major 51 Rep 1,090 Posts Drives: Revuelto, Urus Performante, X5 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Cheap mod: Vinyl over orange reflector So I saw a thread in the DIY section of a member putting vinyl over the reflector so I thought I would try out the mod myself. I've always wanted to replace the orange reflectors but I've always been nervous of damaging my bumper when removing the reflector so this is the next best thing plus it's a very cheap and easy mod to do and can be removed whenever. Overall I'm happy with the way it came out, it looks good and the vinyl matches up perfectly but my car is JB so glossy black vinyl matches up with ease.
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12-02-2010, 05:37 AM	#2
OwnAge Gourik 187 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: soon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Innisfil Ontario. iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 328i [8.90]	Yeah it's a good and a cheap mode. Did it too. First time I didn't do a good job but second time it was perfect. No need to pay for full plastic ones. It looks just as good. Been over a year now since I put it on and it still on with no issues __________________
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12-10-2010, 12:55 AM	#3
wanlong First Lieutenant 15 Rep 356 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 lci Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: GTA iTrader: (7)	Can I do this for AW? where did you guys got the vinyl?
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12-12-2010, 03:13 AM	#4
gaifaun Major 207 Rep 1,134 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver iTrader: (14) Garage List 2010 E90 335i LCI [10.00]	very nice color match! AW is harder to match. the best bet is 3M's antique white. which is white with a touch of yellow. its about a 95% match. if any of you guys find antique white in Canada let me know! Are there even any vinyl shops here nice enough to give you some scrap pieces for the reflectors? __________________ I can help with Coding in Vancouver. PM me
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03-24-2011, 06:57 PM	#6
335ifanatic Major 51 Rep 1,090 Posts Drives: Revuelto, Urus Performante, X5 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Nope, I put the vinyl on top and used my fingernail to go around the edges. Once that's done, you careful use a exacto knife to cut the edge. It's very easy.
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03-25-2011, 01:52 AM	#7
gaifaun Major 207 Rep 1,134 Posts Drives: E90 335i LCI Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver iTrader: (14) Garage List 2010 E90 335i LCI [10.00]	did anyone find anything locally for alpine white yet? __________________ I can help with Coding in Vancouver. PM me
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03-25-2011, 03:19 AM	#8
johnsonz1122 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 347 Posts Drives: f30 335xi Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: vancouver iTrader: (3)	where did u get this? i hv jet black too __________________ 13' F30 335xi mods are on their way 09' E90 LCI 328xi (GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN) 19" m310,quad conversion perf exhaust, full mtech conversion, m3 sides, kwv1,etc PICS:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=757811 PM me if you need coding for f30s in GVR
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03-25-2011, 08:33 AM	#9
OwnAge Gourik 187 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: soon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Innisfil Ontario. iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 328i [8.90]	get a gloss black vinyl and it will match perfectly. i got mine locally in the store __________________
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03-25-2011, 10:40 AM	#10
mabman New Member 10 Rep 164 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335xi Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	yellow side reflectors look terrible. why did BMW change the design a few years back and decide to put them on their cars. Was it a mandate by MTO or whoever governs car safety that they do it ?
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04-04-2011, 06:27 PM	#11
335ifanatic Major 51 Rep 1,090 Posts Drives: Revuelto, Urus Performante, X5 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Did another cheap mod using the vinyl today....
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04-04-2011, 07:00 PM	#12
CarbonTT Lieutenant 8 Rep 493 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (1)	I have it done on mine... darker tint layered over it .. not completely blacked out.. Ill grab a pic tomorrow __________________ 2007 335i coupe: Sold 2015 BMW i8 Sophisto Grey 2013 BMW M3 Convertible
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04-09-2011, 10:11 AM	#14
Tonybest Enrollment Officer 114 Rep 5,014 Posts Drives: 997.2 Porsche C4S Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc. iTrader: (2)	Cheap mod... as long as you don't get a ticket for it.
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04-09-2011, 07:25 PM	#15
gchan New Member 1 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Any suggestions for vinyl color for space grey?
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07-05-2011, 10:58 PM	#17
Evolution_GT Captain 91 Rep 856 Posts Drives: 08A22E93N52 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	What would best match sparkling graphite? __________________
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07-07-2011, 01:07 PM	#18
Fozzy Waaka Waaka 41 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 xdrive & 2015 F15 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Downtown Toronto iTrader: (3)	went to fabricland - not the right kind of vinyl there. Suggestions? did you glue it down or did the pressure just make it adhere?
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07-07-2011, 03:44 PM	#20
Fozzy Waaka Waaka 41 Rep 486 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 xdrive & 2015 F15 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Downtown Toronto iTrader: (3)	^ I'm kind of blonde...I actually read on some other forums they carried it there. Only trust e90 guys from now on. I tried a graphics place too and they wouldn't sell me any. Just looking for enough grey to do my driver's side key hole.
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05-01-2012, 09:13 AM	#21
floss ur teeth Enlisted Member 5 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2011 Jet Black 328i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	What color and brand vinyl did you use OP?
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07-06-2012, 11:44 AM	#22
DoD74 Private First Class 7 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Most cities have various shops that do custom wrapping and graphics work. I would do an online search and contact them. I am sure you could get a small swatch of vinyl from any custom graphics shop for close to nothing. That's how I got mine...
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