M3Nick
07-29-2008, 11:14 PM
Background
This write-up explains how to black out your red stock reflectors using an opaque black daytime, reflective black nighttime tape.
Since this write-up was inspired by the original idea done by 3GFX, I figured it was only fair to name it after him, since I so shamelessly made a write-up about it! :)
WARNING: This how-to requires basic kindergarten patience and skills. If you’ve been out of school for a while now, you might want to enlist the help of a 2nd or 3rd grader to help you with cutting, tracing and the like. I’m sure it’s been ages.
Tool / Supplies
SafeTape ($17 at Canadian Tire)
Scissors
Scotch / Masking / Duct / Packing tape (optional, but it helps. Very small amounts needed.)
Pen / Pencil
Paper / Cardboard
Thin paper (A long receipt works. I used the one from Canadian Tire after buying the tape, recycling is fun!)
Total Cost: $17
Procedure
The general procedure is to get the shape of the existing reflectors, cut out the tape in their shape, and stick them onto the stock reflectors, carefully.
Let’s get started:
1. Obtain a stencil of two reflectors on the car. Do this by placing the thin paper / receipt over top of the reflector, pushing the edges of the paper into corners, almost making an imprint of the shape. Trace the reflector. Here is a picture of the traces I obtained:
http://i35.tinypic.com/35c30ao.jpg
I chose the left side. The right side reflectors are a mirror image of the ones on the left, so we only have to trace two of them. THIS IS IMPORTANT: MAKE A MENTAL NOTE OF THE ORIENTATION OF THE REFLECTOR ON THE CAR!! <<< THAT WAS IMPORTANT.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2lm0y06.jpghttp://i37.tinypic.com/j0zi9u.jpg
2. Make sure your tracings are fairly accurate. After this, cut them out.
3. Transpose the shape of each reflector onto something far sturdier, cardboard from a cereal box, or normal paper works fine. I used paper for a less rigid stencil:
http://i36.tinypic.com/117frdy.jpg
4. Once the new stencils are cut out, you’re ready to start cutting your SafeTape.
FOR THE LONG SKINNY REFLECTORS
The tapes 1” height makes cutting for this reflector a breeze.
5. Pull out a stretch of SafeTape (they used tape to hold mine together, and when I peeled it off, it left bits of tape and residue behind. I cut these pieces out so they wouldn’t be on my reflector):
http://i38.tinypic.com/2v7zzna.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/2q1ihk7.jpg
Place the stencil to approximate how much SafeTape to unroll and cut a piece out.
6. Align the stencil onto the SafeTape, and use some other tape to attach the stencil to it. The picture will give you a better understanding of what I mean:
http://i37.tinypic.com/w8mcyf.jpg
Place tape on the top of the stencil, around the SafeTape, onto the backing. This won’t leave any tape goo on your reflective surface.
7. Carefully cut out around your stencil. Start at the curves because you will most likely trim off your holding tape when you get around to that part, making alignment an issue.
http://i37.tinypic.com/14v0kjs.jpg
8. Remember how I told you to make a note of the reflectors orientation? This is where it comes in handy. Once you’re done cutting, flip the stencil over on its LEFT OR RIGHT EDGE. This will MIRROR the reflector you just cut out.
9. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the second cutout.
http://i34.tinypic.com/14nk2s5.jpg
FOR THE SHORT FAT REFLECTORS
Because the tape is only 1” high, we need to use two pieces of SafeTape stacked on top of each other for these reflectors.
10. Pull out two stretches of SafeTape long enough to cover the length of the short fat reflector:
http://i38.tinypic.com/wmo10m.jpg
Cut them.
11. Tape the two pieces of SafeTape together:
http://i37.tinypic.com/n5req8.jpg
12. Tape the stencil to the thick piece of SafeTape. You probably don’t need this much tape:
http://i37.tinypic.com/73m835.jpg
13. Cut it out. Don’t worry about the seam, that’s only because the backing on the SafeTape overlaps the side. We can flush it out when we’re sticking them to the car.
http://i33.tinypic.com/2zptqp4.jpg
14. Detach the stencil from the SafeTape, and flip it along its RIGHT OR LEFT EDGE.
15. Repeat steps 10 through 13.
http://i34.tinypic.com/5nltgz.jpg
16. Bring the newly cut SafeTape out to your car, and clean off the stock reflectors. Peel off the backings of your cutouts, and carefully place them over the reflectors. Wipe your greasy fingerprints off the SafeTape and you’re done!
17. Enjoy!
http://i34.tinypic.com/2eangph.jpghttp://i34.tinypic.com/2dqhy8.jpg
Tips I wish somebody had given me
Use a flashlight and shine it at the reflector while placing it to minimize the gap on the uppermost reflectors.
Use a credit card to shove the exess tape behind the reflector.
Push out air bubbles as soon as they form.
Don't work on this at night time.
http://i34.tinypic.com/9pt9iq.jpg http://i36.tinypic.com/wb4fup.jpg
This write-up explains how to black out your red stock reflectors using an opaque black daytime, reflective black nighttime tape.
Since this write-up was inspired by the original idea done by 3GFX, I figured it was only fair to name it after him, since I so shamelessly made a write-up about it! :)
WARNING: This how-to requires basic kindergarten patience and skills. If you’ve been out of school for a while now, you might want to enlist the help of a 2nd or 3rd grader to help you with cutting, tracing and the like. I’m sure it’s been ages.
Tool / Supplies
SafeTape ($17 at Canadian Tire)
Scissors
Scotch / Masking / Duct / Packing tape (optional, but it helps. Very small amounts needed.)
Pen / Pencil
Paper / Cardboard
Thin paper (A long receipt works. I used the one from Canadian Tire after buying the tape, recycling is fun!)
Total Cost: $17
Procedure
The general procedure is to get the shape of the existing reflectors, cut out the tape in their shape, and stick them onto the stock reflectors, carefully.
Let’s get started:
1. Obtain a stencil of two reflectors on the car. Do this by placing the thin paper / receipt over top of the reflector, pushing the edges of the paper into corners, almost making an imprint of the shape. Trace the reflector. Here is a picture of the traces I obtained:
http://i35.tinypic.com/35c30ao.jpg
I chose the left side. The right side reflectors are a mirror image of the ones on the left, so we only have to trace two of them. THIS IS IMPORTANT: MAKE A MENTAL NOTE OF THE ORIENTATION OF THE REFLECTOR ON THE CAR!! <<< THAT WAS IMPORTANT.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2lm0y06.jpghttp://i37.tinypic.com/j0zi9u.jpg
2. Make sure your tracings are fairly accurate. After this, cut them out.
3. Transpose the shape of each reflector onto something far sturdier, cardboard from a cereal box, or normal paper works fine. I used paper for a less rigid stencil:
http://i36.tinypic.com/117frdy.jpg
4. Once the new stencils are cut out, you’re ready to start cutting your SafeTape.
FOR THE LONG SKINNY REFLECTORS
The tapes 1” height makes cutting for this reflector a breeze.
5. Pull out a stretch of SafeTape (they used tape to hold mine together, and when I peeled it off, it left bits of tape and residue behind. I cut these pieces out so they wouldn’t be on my reflector):
http://i38.tinypic.com/2v7zzna.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/2q1ihk7.jpg
Place the stencil to approximate how much SafeTape to unroll and cut a piece out.
6. Align the stencil onto the SafeTape, and use some other tape to attach the stencil to it. The picture will give you a better understanding of what I mean:
http://i37.tinypic.com/w8mcyf.jpg
Place tape on the top of the stencil, around the SafeTape, onto the backing. This won’t leave any tape goo on your reflective surface.
7. Carefully cut out around your stencil. Start at the curves because you will most likely trim off your holding tape when you get around to that part, making alignment an issue.
http://i37.tinypic.com/14v0kjs.jpg
8. Remember how I told you to make a note of the reflectors orientation? This is where it comes in handy. Once you’re done cutting, flip the stencil over on its LEFT OR RIGHT EDGE. This will MIRROR the reflector you just cut out.
9. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the second cutout.
http://i34.tinypic.com/14nk2s5.jpg
FOR THE SHORT FAT REFLECTORS
Because the tape is only 1” high, we need to use two pieces of SafeTape stacked on top of each other for these reflectors.
10. Pull out two stretches of SafeTape long enough to cover the length of the short fat reflector:
http://i38.tinypic.com/wmo10m.jpg
Cut them.
11. Tape the two pieces of SafeTape together:
http://i37.tinypic.com/n5req8.jpg
12. Tape the stencil to the thick piece of SafeTape. You probably don’t need this much tape:
http://i37.tinypic.com/73m835.jpg
13. Cut it out. Don’t worry about the seam, that’s only because the backing on the SafeTape overlaps the side. We can flush it out when we’re sticking them to the car.
http://i33.tinypic.com/2zptqp4.jpg
14. Detach the stencil from the SafeTape, and flip it along its RIGHT OR LEFT EDGE.
15. Repeat steps 10 through 13.
http://i34.tinypic.com/5nltgz.jpg
16. Bring the newly cut SafeTape out to your car, and clean off the stock reflectors. Peel off the backings of your cutouts, and carefully place them over the reflectors. Wipe your greasy fingerprints off the SafeTape and you’re done!
17. Enjoy!
http://i34.tinypic.com/2eangph.jpghttp://i34.tinypic.com/2dqhy8.jpg
Tips I wish somebody had given me
Use a flashlight and shine it at the reflector while placing it to minimize the gap on the uppermost reflectors.
Use a credit card to shove the exess tape behind the reflector.
Push out air bubbles as soon as they form.
Don't work on this at night time.
http://i34.tinypic.com/9pt9iq.jpg http://i36.tinypic.com/wb4fup.jpg