The clear coat on my pillar for my 2014 explorer came off a bit when I applied the adhesive swab for applying the oem window visors. I'm royally pissed because I won't to restore the spot that got removed but don't know how. It's just a smal spot maybe 2 inches in length and half inch width.
Help!!!
Thanks
Figured I'd revive this thread after finally deciding to do something about the faded pillars on my Ex. Originally I was going to go the spray paint route but after reading PDX's success with vinyl, I decided go with vinyl for all the plastic trims (much less work than painting). The faded pillars/trims were a real eye sore and now my SUV looks new again.[MENTION=189122]PDXplore[/MENTION], don't know if you're still picking up emails from the forum. Is there any tricks to applying the vinyl pieces? Does there need to be a certain over hang amount that wraps around to the back?
Do you use an adhesive spray, or do they have a layer of self stick applied?
Do you need some kind of spreader to make sure it lays flat etc...
Anyone else have luck using the vinyl?
Figured I'd revive this thread after finally deciding to do something about the faded pillars on my Ex. Originally I was going to go the spray paint route but after reading PDX's success with vinyl, I decided go with vinyl for all the plastic trims (much less work than painting). The faded pillars/trims were a real eye sore and now my SUV looks new again.
I had purchased some oracal 751 online and underestimated how much was needed, so I didn't have enough to do the rear pillars. I searched for places that did vinyl wrap on cars in my area and bought a sheet from a highly rated place. His shop used Avery and he explained to me why he liked Avery over other brands and gave me tips on installation. Once I got home and applied the Avery vinyl, I could see why he liked it compared to oracal. It was stretchy and more forgiving if you left an air bubble. The stretchy material is also a bonus for the rear pillars that are curved. The Avery glossy black matched the oracal 751 glossy black pretty similarly, but the OCD part of me wanted everything to be uniform with one brand of vinyl so I took off the oracal I had applied to the other areas and put on the Avery vinyl. Overall, if anyone is looking to restore their faded pillars and trims, I'd suggest vinyl. As PDX mentioned earlier, make sure your surface is smooth prior to applying because any blemishes underneath with show through on the vinyl. I sanded prior and then wiped down with alcohol to get a clean surface. I'll post pics later on with the end product (it's been two weeks with vinyl now).
OK, so I'm trying to solve this problem with the pillars. I tried one brand of vinyl, got too many air bubbles, so I ordered Oracal 751, just tried it, got too many bubbles. Can someone help with how to apply the vinyl -- such as I think I'm getting the hint that you have to spray on water and soap solution before adding the vinyl ?????? I'm not worried about the edges, they seem to turn out good for me -- but the main field has air bubbles all over it. And with the other stuff I used originally, it looked good, then a month later, air bubbles. Frustrating. Helpful installation hints, please.