Shadowlining the E28

[TheRyanChoi]

Hey guys, I am very interested in doing the shadowline process on my E28. I think the royal blue color would make an awesome contrast with the black lines.
I would love any tips/help for the process.

But first, a few questions...

-Has anyone made the tail lights a glossier(almost like the chrome) black? I was wondering how that would look. Sure it isn't the orthodox way to do it, but I am interested on how it looks.
-Should I make the center chrome grill black as well or keep it chrome?
-What kind of black spray paint is the best? I've been hearing good things about plasti dip for these kinds of processes, but I've heard of a lot of people just using regular old spray paint.

Any detailed pictures of your guys' cars would be a great help.

Thanks!

[Blue Shadow]

glossy tails...???

Crest is the best satin black spray paint. Other brands are ok.

Plastidip? I seen it talked about but not the result a year later

[John in VA]

Mask the car, scuff the trim with a Scotchbrite, and paint it with several thin coats. This has been chronicled in previous posts - try a "shadowline" search.
Please leave the front center grill as BMW intended it!

[Amos830]

glossy tails...???

Crest is the best satin black spray paint. Other brands are ok.

Plastidip? I seen it talked about but not the result a year later

I plasti-dipped my tails 3 years ago. Driven the car about 25k miles since then in all of the Canadian seasons.

Taken the car through countless touchless and even 1 of the spinny brush-rags car washes, brush the snow off (whenever it arrives) and even classily clean them with the gas station squeegee if they're dirty and it's raining out.

Aaaaaand the plasti-dip still looks as good as it did the first day I put it on. I put it on thick though.

I can get pictures for you on Tuesday if you like.

[trevmmeister]

Amos I would like pictures. I have been on the fence about it, but I also kind of need to do it because the shop that painted our 535 about 5 years ago didn't know what they were doing and sanded most of the aluminum trim. As well as bending half of the side door trim in the removal process. Lets just say I have alot of trim work to do.

So as plastidip is one of the main products I am looking into, I would love to see detailed pics of it's longevity.

[Owndapwn]

I'd definitely go with Plasti Dip. I actually plan on dipping my whole car to protect the paint, and touch up some of the trim with it. I'm doing a flex blue body, and use black to touch up a bunch of trim. If I have enough, I'll use it to fill the cracks on my spoiler. I'll be getting it in gallons and using the DYC sprayer, and I'd advise against doing anything large with the cans.
Few reasons to go with Plasti Dip instead of paint.
It's easier.
If you hate it, you can easily remove it.
If the person you sell it to hates it, they can remove it.
Overspray is easily fixed with a microfiber towel.

On the tail lights, however, don't smoke them. It doesn't look good and it's dangerous.
If you want to change the look, grab a can of clear and use it on the lights. It gives it a very unique satin look, but doesn't affect visibility any.

[foamy]

when i went the shadow line route i ordered some flat black decal strip tape and just decal taped over all the chrome bits. its been on the car for about a year now and still looks as good as the day i put it on. i was going to paint them but found out i couldn't remove the trim pieces from around the doors without most likely damaging them.

[Owndapwn]

Plastidip? I seen it talked about but not the result a year later

Plenty of stuff about it after a few years, but this just got posted to the DipYourCar facebook page.
Plasti Dip vs truck blowout
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/153 ... 1411_o.jpg

[TheRyanChoi]

I'd definitely go with Plasti Dip. I actually plan on dipping my whole car to protect the paint, and touch up some of the trim with it. I'm doing a flex blue body, and use black to touch up a bunch of trim. If I have enough, I'll use it to fill the cracks on my spoiler. I'll be getting it in gallons and using the DYC sprayer, and I'd advise against doing anything large with the cans.
Few reasons to go with Plasti Dip instead of paint.
It's easier.
If you hate it, you can easily remove it.
If the person you sell it to hates it, they can remove it.
Overspray is easily fixed with a microfiber towel.

On the tail lights, however, don't smoke them. It doesn't look good and it's dangerous.
If you want to change the look, grab a can of clear and use it on the lights. It gives it a very unique satin look, but doesn't affect visibility any.

Thanks for the advice!

But for the tail lights, I didn't mean to smoke them or darken them at all. I meant should I make the chrome bits lining the tail lights the traditional shadow line satin finish or go for a glossier look? Just thought it'd be interesting to see how that would look. But I think I'll stick to the satin look.

[Nanajoth]

Unless you plan on stripping the anodizing from the trim, just use blackout tape.

[Amos830]

I thought I was off on Tuesday but I had my work schedule mixed up.

I took some shots of the lights today after a car wash. Tried to get some detailed one, as requested. The only wear I could really see was on some of the sharper edges that I didn't get it on as thick but still.. in my opinion, it looks pretty good for 4 years old.

I also took some shots of my roof rack and mounting arm. Both are plasti-dipped as of last year.

This car is always parked outside and driven all year round.

PS: Plasti-dip sells a top coat product called glossifier that can make it look.. you guessed it glossy-er.

[Sockeye]

You'll be amazed at what a couple $6 cans of plasti-dip can do. It's a great solution to replacing shitty sun dried orange trim around the front/rear windows as well.

[trevmmeister]

You'll be amazed at what a couple $6 cans of plasti-dip can do. It's a great solution to replacing shitty sun dried orange trim around the front/rear windows as well.

Niiice. I am running 15% tint on my windows, and i like that black on black look. I am planning on doing my trim tomorrow, on my day off

[dhdrums]

t's a great solution to replacing shitty sun dried orange trim around the front/rear windows as well.

I second this. As reluctant as I was to put plasti-dip on my car. This was definitely one of the things it is good for.

[TheRyanChoi]

You'll be amazed at what a couple $6 cans of plasti-dip can do. It's a great solution to replacing shitty sun dried orange trim around the front/rear windows as well.

How many cans of it did you buy, and how many coats did you spray on?
Yours looks great!

[Sockeye]

Pretty sure I used 2 cans for all the window & door trim. 2-3 coats. The only advice I can give is take your time taping everything off properly and clean the surface you're going to spray with something that will remove grease/oils.

[euro635gas]

If going the route of painting with trim paint. Use an etching primer to get the best results. I learned this the hard way. Scotch bright with trim paint won't hold up for years and years. Scotch brite then etching primer then trim paint really is long term.

The door trim does take a while to figure the technique to remove but once you get it its actually really easy. The clips tend to break so you may need some extras. I'd just go experiment at a junk yard.

[TheRyanChoi]

Thanks for the advice guys!