Thread: hood blackouts - vinyl or paint?

When I had my D1 my wife did this for me. She carefully masked the area and then gave it a light rub down. Next she sprayed it with mat black paint. Was really good at stopping the reflection from the bonnet. I beleive LR did a vinyl one as per the Camel Trophy vehicles but it was very expensive.

HTH

Ivan

I'd go with painting, at least then touch ups are easy where as vinyl may bubble and peel.

I did mine with a couple of cans of satin black from supercheap. Gives a good matt finish. Only took a couple of hours. Very happy with the results.

Viggdesigns (USA) make the vinyl ones and you can see them putting them on here. Flickr: viggdesigns' Photostream
The Landrover logo one looks good. install instructions http://www.flickr.com/photos/viggdes...n/photostream/

Or you could go the whole hog and go the Zebra theme : )
(see attached)

Trying to line up the sticker would be a complete bitch, go the paint.

Satin black paint yeah

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Trying to line up the sticker would be a complete bitch, go the paint.

Its not too bad if you put it on wet, as long as you take your time and don't rush it - easier with two to help guide it. The bonnet area needs to be clean, grease and old polish free, metho works well. Make a weak soapy water solution in a spray bottle, spray the whole bonnet area first, then the exposed vinyl as you peel it. Put it into position, while its floating you can adjust it then squeegee it (soft felt squeegee) out from the middle towards the edges. While its wet the bubbles can be easily pushed out. (Standard practice for large vinyl installation). Good quality vinyl will not bubble or peel in the heat for a few years. Supposed to last 7 years. You can buy the stuff by the metre at Spandex - a sign supplier, way cheaper than a bought one. It also has a white backing which you can lay on the bonnet to get the shape drawn out in pencil. Cut it out and away you go.

It does work well to cut down the glare. Here's a couple of pics of mine after a year. Am thinking of adding the Land Rover logo at some point when I get around to it.

Originally Posted by 4x4shooter

Satin black paint yeah

Satin black is shiney kind of defeats the purpose of blacking out a bonnet...

Mines painted by the way...and yes mine was satin coz partner bought the wrong paint..I actually quite liked it but it has faded after 3 years so needs painting again..will be done with a Matt next time