And the questions just keep on comin'. Hey Ian, how long were the rolls you got for the window trim? I haven't measured them yet, but they look pretty long. I want to order the wrap now, and I don't have the car here to measure the trim. Just wondering what length wrap to buy. Thanks.

Howie

 

Looks good!

-Luccia

 

Hi howie. The drl covers were a pain to wrap if I'm totally honest. It did take me a couple of goes. I didn't use any primer and I have had no lifting of the vinyl so, so far so good. I used a non branded cf vinyl. Your life will be made a lot easier if you use a 3M black as it will be a lot more forgiving.

To answer you question in your next post the wrap I ordered was 1.5m X 1m. The large piece of chrome trim over the doors was done in 2 pieces. You can only see the join if you are close up. If you want to do it in 1 go I guess you need to measure the length and order accordingly.

Hope that helped.

 

Hi Ian,

Thanks for that. Yes I am ordering 3M matte black vinyl. I finally have all of the badges I need to dip black. I have dipped badges when I had the SRT Jeep and they all looked really good. Will see how these go. I didn't know the MB badge on the trunk was plastic, but it is.

I am considering just dipping the DRL pieces as they are low, and the dip in the past has held up pretty well. I will see what happens and post some images when the car is completed. Thanks for the assistance.

Cheers

 

I'm guessing that this is pretty close to the same procedure for sedans.

 

I'll be doing a sedan as well, so I will let everyone know how it goes. I may not remove the trim, but will see how it goes. Will wait to get the wrap this week before I attempt it. Wish me luck...

Cheers

Howie

 

Ian,

So I order me up a 6x6 sheet of 3m 1080 and I remove the DRL pieces. I clean them all up, cut the vinyl and within, oh say 3 minutes I decide the easier route for me is Plastidip. Sure I'll wrap the window trim, which is why I bought the vinyl in the first place. But I gotta tell ya the wrap is a bear until you get a grip on it. I don't feel like wasting a lot of good money and or good wrap, so I'm done with attempting the vinyl on the DRLs.

I just don't have the patience for it. But with your help I did get the DRL frames removed.

Thanks.

Howie

 

Ya I just tried to wrap the DRL's and it was a pain at the sharp inside angles, so instead I dipped them I am also in the process of wrapping the window trim matte black and I have finished one side

 

Let us know how you did on the window trim. I'll try it this week. I had to respray the DRL frames because I he dip just didn't stick.. Spraying again now. Such a pain either way.

 

Hey Ian,

I have to say your instructions for removing the DRL surrounds were a huge help. Thanks many times. I however didn't fare so well with wrapping I have to say. I did purchase enough vinyl to cover my window trim with enough left over to wrap the DRL parts, but my first attempt lasted about 5 minutes, and then BOOM, wrap on the floor.

It seems pretty impossible for a meager first time wrapper like myself because of all of the dips and bends in these two parts. What did you do to get these things done without pulling all of your hair out?

I plasti-dipped them the first time, but when I went to install them on the car, the wrap began to peel. I guess I didn't clean them quite well enough, so I used alcohol and am respraying them now.

I did attempt to wrap the small chrome piece just above the rear license plate yesterday, and the second attempt was much better. However I removed it and will redo it again as I needed to close shop unexpectedly. The window trim, after looking at it with the doors open looks as much of a pain as the DRL parts due to the ripple area inside the door areas. Did you have any problems with that area, or the window trim at all? I have noticed small pits in some places on the trim, and although small, wondering how that is going to look once wrapped.

Anyway, just wanted to get your opinion on the subject. I guess when all is said and done, it can be removed it you make a mistake, but boy that satin black sure does look good from afar. I just need to keep on working it. Give me some good tips please sir.

Cheers,

Howie


P.S. Where in the UK are you located? I spent two tours there when I was in the US military and I loved it there. I still have friends, and my ex-wife is from Witney, Oxfordshire. Boy I miss it there.

 

Wow small world. I live in Oxfordshire. My rear diffuser was hydro dipped by a company in Witney. I used to be based at Brize Norton so I know the area very well. I've had many a drunken night out in Carterton and Witney. I'm guessing you were either at Upper Heyford or Fairford.

There are 2 ways you can wrap the window trim. The easiest way is to remove the trim piece and get a large sheet of Vinyl ( wide enough to cover the entire length of the trim ). That way there will be no stretching of the vinyl and you won't have any air pockets or shrinkage. I did it that way but in two halves so there is a join but it's almost unnoticeable.

You can also wrap in situ. I tried this first but it didn't turn out s good. As for the ripple section you mention on the top inside the door you can wrap over it or leave it. If you leave it nobody will notice apart from you because you never look up there.

The Drls take practice and patience. Most importantly you need a good vinyl wrap that has breathable air release so any air bubbles are removed very easily. Also make sure you use a heat gun and not a hairdryer. A decent set of trim tools help a lot. Plenty on EBay for very little money.

I hope this helps you, just remember to take it steady and not to rush 😉

 

Holy Cow. I lived in Witney. I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford twice. I visited in 1999 and the base was closed, but I drove to see friends in Bournemouth, and spent a night in a neat little place just outside of Oxford. I used to spend a lot of time in Oxford. I loved that place. I really do miss it. When I was married, we, my wife and I used to drive past Brize Norton heading to her parents, who lived in Shipton Under Wychwood I believe. In fact one of their neighbors was John Hurt. Anyway, so it's great to hear from someone who lives in one of my favorite places.

And I can attest to a few drunken nights there as well. I remembe playing the fruit machines in the pub and winning enough to buy us a couple of pints. And DARTS? Don't even get me started. My email is 'howster01@yahoo.com'. Keep in touch. I would love to talk about my second home as it were. I had an accident once where a huge Lorry hit me from behind while I was in a rented vehicle. I had the US military pay for the damages, so I could help the company out who I rented the vehicle from. They in turn allowed me to photograph many of their exotics. I even got to drive one or two.

Was able to go for a spin in a Ferrari 308, Testa Rosa. and a V8 Vantage. I photographed them all as well as an AM DB5. I still have the pics. I also knew a fellow who owned a machine shop in Bicester, doing lots of work on F1 cars. We got to be friends, and he took me for a harrowing ride in his Protype RS500. I loved those cars. I knew several racers to include David Brodie and Graham Goodman. Boy those were the days. Anyway I hope you'll keep in touch and we can discuss cars and England and you can tell me how things are there now. Take car Ian. Oh geez I hope I don't get into a lot of trouble with the forum with this. I apologize now so everyone will understand. Thanks again.

 

Hey Ian,

I did purchase a 6x6 foot piece of 3M 1080 semi-gloss. The ripple parts on my car are at the bottom of the window trim, which you can't see when the doors are closed. I have been told it is easier to do while on the car, but I think if I take my time I will, as you suggest, get a better result if I remove it.

I also made two attempts to wrap the long chrome piece where the trunk/boot handle is just above the license plate cover, but I removed them both. The second time was almost perfect, but almost just doesn't cut it on a C63 right? I was trying to sort out how to remove it, but there are switches and trunk release gizmos that I didn't really want to deal with.

I am heading out to redo that piece again now, so will see how it goes. Window trim will be done for this weekend. Thanks again for all of your help. Tell all of Oxfordshire that Howie says Hi.

Cheers,

howie

 

Crap Ian,

It wasn't Graham Goodman Racing, It was Graham Goode Racing. That's what happens when you get older. So they say...

 

I did a how to guide for the chrome piece on the trunk. Have a read it might help you


https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...how-guide.html

 

Hey Ian,

I just followed you DIY on the rear trim piece. Nicely done. I have it removed and wrapped and getting ready in reinstall it. I'm like you in that I like to fiddle and do my own work. This was not that bad, and the result is so much better than the Plastidip. The Plastidip has its place, but I'd much rather wrap if I can. Plastidip looks great if done properly, but I do like the vinyl look much better. Cleaner and smoother as well. Window trim gets done later in the week.

I'm thinking of hydro dipping the DRL pieces just because of the angles. I've dipped them twice and I just don't like the look. They are lower so not many eyes will look closely, but I know, so it will get done a different way. I really do lime the wrap that I did on the rear piece. Just cleaner.

Thanks Ian. So what's next? What other installs or upgrades ha e you got for me to do?

Cheers

Howie

 

I just did the top trim while it was still on the car, as for the ripples I just wrapped it tight then used the end of the vinyl squeegee to trace it out

 

So greetings to all. So here I am letting the good folks know how the vinyl wrap is going on the window trim. Well I found out the sedan trim is not installed the same way as the coupe trim.

I started with the passenger rear door and you actually just lift up and work your way back as there are no clips. The hard part for me is trying to figure out how to get the vinyl under the rubber weatherstrip that is on the top edge of the chrome trim piece. It isn't removable so I am lost as to how to make this happen on the door trim.

The top trim won't be too bad and I can do that on the car. The problem is the place where I ordered the vinyl said they know the dimensions of my car and would send the right amount. However they sent me a 6x6 foot piece when I need a 7 foot piece. Its really frustrating because I've got shop set up and not the correct amount of vinyl to do the job correctly.

So back to the drawing board. If anyone has wrapped the window trim on a sedan it would be awesome to hear how you made it happen. Moreso on the door trim than the upper pieces. Thanks.

Howie

 

Hey Ian,

I'm wanting to know if the grille needs to be removed in order to remove the star to wrap, paint, dip, etc? I did plasti dip it, but it doesn't look right. I have the vinyl to wrap it so am going to give it a go.

Also the instructions you gave for removing the rear chrome piece were a huge help. I finally got it wrapped, and it looks so much better. I dipped the DRL pieces, but I figure I'm going to have to do something else as I don't much like the look of the dip, although they are down low so not too worried just yet.

I'm doing the AMG Academy next month and would like to have the car looking nice and spiffy when I drive it to COTA. Wheels should be in next week, and the tires are already here. Can't wait. Gonna see what exhaust mods are available without spending as much as the car cost. Thanks for all of your help. Your DIY articles have been great.


Cheers,

Howie