hey guys i'm in the process of getting one of bat's roof overlays. i have a xm radio and dont want to remove it. i saw the diy but it doesnt really explain how to cut the vinyl around the antenna and im nervous of getting a razor blade and cutting so close to the paint. anyone have any suggestions on how to cut the overlay to expose the xm antenna?

 

I would cut an "X" right on top of the antenna then work myself around it carefully. But Bluebats installer is on this forum you could ask him his profile name is "O Hella JDM"/Ryan He's a great installer has done work for me so you could hit him up if you don't feel brave enough.

 

Here's a thought. Measure around the antenna, make a template of the hole, and cut the hole out of the overlay before you go to install it. Should drop right on and you aren't cutting around the paint.

 

heat gun, pull it off. Put down the over lay, put double back tape to put it back on. from what i heard, Bluebat is PITA to insall cuz once its down, it stuck so it hard to position. Or you can go 3m Di-Noc and it has air release pocked when u heat it up. so less prone to bubbles

 

Thats why my instructions say to use soap and water when installing, to help you move the vinyl around until you get it positioned. Then sqeegy out. As far as antenna goes, simply cut a slit about the length of the antenna front to back, and slowly work antenna through it .

B@t

 

Well guys, finally have some pics of my Hexis 3d cf roof overlay sample, this on a 2011 STI Sedan, so you can see what it looks like. Notice the nice sheen to it .

B@t









more samples:










B@t

 

there are two ways you can do this. If you don't want a seem (which is a little more difficult to do) you will have to do what was mentioned earlier and cut a hole where the antennae would go through. My personal opinion as an installer, remove the antennae, install the overlay and then put the antennae back on. this will give you the cleanest look.

what i normally do is install the overlay from front to back. that way once you get to where the antennae is, you already have it secured. then i cut a slit from the what would be the center most portion of the antennae and then slice the vinyl all the way to the back. mold the vinyl around the antennae and trim any excess you can, and then merge the two corners again at the back end of the antennae. Hopefully that made sense.

 

Do NOT use Di-Noc on the external portions of a car. 3M even tells you not to do this. Also Di-Noc is not good to use on any surface that has crevices. If you do not use the primer adhesive it will pull up and seperate from the surface. And by using the the primer, you cannot remove it later without damaging the surface that it was installed on.

 

doing a lot of CF work on a Nismo Z tomorrow. I'll have pics up for you guys to see as well

 

Cant wait!

B@t

 

damn i wish you were closer importroller.

bat, do you have an installer around LA?

 

Not yet.

B@t

 

i gotta see this...

 

any updates?! pics???? i'm really stoked to see what this looks like