So I ordered the gunsmoke tail light and clear headlight films. Thus far, i've managed to completely F* up the tail light film install. What happened was while applying it, i ran into the huge problem of that curve that runs the length of the taillight [?|] The film was slightly too small, and it didnt help that the hairdryer i used failed on my half way. So, I resorted to stretching the film myself, and in removing and reapplying the film numerous times (should have used more water), i managed to mess up the adhesive, so that you can actually see the clumps. That and the bubbles. So overall, a bloody fail. [dunno]
That, and the film was a lot darker than i expected.
SO, i checked on a few threads and found people with the same problem. realizing that there was no saving the film, i was ready to rip it off and dump the whole thing, but instead trimmed off the part covering the brake light, leaving the chrome reflector part tinted. Thus, leaving me with what i presume to be the look of the 09+ coupe tails. [grinking] Enjoy:
Before
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3895739986_66351810d9.jpg

after application
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3894963265_5484420451.jpg

you cant really see it here, but it looked hella ugly. (kinda ashamed. thought my handiwork was better)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3895741044_0ddfbe94be.jpg

theres 1 tail light trimmed
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3894963557_a55e480677.jpg

im actually more comfortable with that red. dont want hassles with the popo.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/3894978421_eb329ba8fe.jpg

comparing with the first one again
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3895739986_66351810d9.jpg

a more representative pic of the actual colour
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3894956423_96bb0b2ee1.jpg

so yeah, im KINDA out 50 bucks -_-; i tried the full tint, and didnt really like it, (that and i f*ed up the application). But, im better with what i have now than the stock.
Im installing a clear film for my halo projectors next. those dayyyyummed rocks [wave] - and yes, im still using my stock ugly*ss wheels. i'll get to switching them out eventually...that and a 3dcarbon body kit, and a new 09 grill, etc.. the list goes on [screwy]

the film is a great quality btw, and the shipping/packing is just awesome. This was just my own messup here, and if it werent so pricy id buy again sooner :P

Turned out really good man. Lamin-x is pretty hard to install, but definitely worth it.

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i like that alot better than the whole lens tinted, i might have to steal this idea from you if you dont mind

glad to have had an idea good enough to steal. lol, go right ahead. word of advice: when you're cutting, cut more on the red, so that the silver is covered more. does that make any sense? that way so that when you're looking at it on an angle, the silver is still covered

think i might laminx my euro tails. they are of the car and it'd be easy to do..

the 08+ tails are impossible -_-; well, i'd pass for now on the $50 pop

what does the 'cut more on the red' mean? haha. where did you go to order them?

Looks good.

Did you use soapy water before applying the Lamin-X? A lot of people skip on this step and dont realize that you squeegee the water out after centering it.

Yea, I butchered this process on my 07 Focus too. I felt like an idiot but I always struggle with anything vinyl (or similar to vinyl).

Thats why I like night shades. Spray it one nice and even and in light coats. That way you can tint them as light or as dark as you like with out having to mess with tint stickers.

I used distiller water mists as per the directions. I've applied vinyl skins to other gadgets ect before and have always used soapy water there but not here. Kinda regretting it. As for cutting more in the red I cut out a vinyl piece smaller than the area of the red, so that the tint covers some red still

Ordered from lamin-x and had some discount code. I do see the plus side of VHT here but then I wouldn't have been able to stumble upon this chrome only tint :P

do you think you wouldve had better results if you took off the lamp?

Eh not by that much. Mightve had better luck pouring hot water over the lamp lol

arasky - did you end up getting your lamin-x yet?

nope, im not sure if i want to get the ebay stuff or not. i dont feel i need high quality stuff for the tails, i dont think it is peltered with rocks like my headlights would be. 25 for the ebay and 50 for laminx.

also i have never done anything like this, so im trying to find a tint shop that will do it but no one wants to mess with tail lights!

another question, do you think it would have been easier just to have a big sheet, then cut off the edges, or was it ok with the precut? im thinking it might be easier with just a big 24x12 sheet, then cut off the outsides

yeah, the big sheet would've been better (for the tails). i'd like to find a roll and redo it with the 09 coupe look again. :P the edges have to be stretched, and even then, it wont cover perfectly.
i have yet to try the headlight film.