DIY Network

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO: Custom Vinyl Graphics From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-208

	The project car: 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

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In this episode of DIY's Tricked Out, host Andrew Totolos--with some expert assistance from Kevin Bingham of Gila Film Products--spruces up the exterior of a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with a hot vinyl-graphics package that flows into the custom window tint. This first phase of the project focuses on designing and installing the vinyl graphics.

Materials used in this episode:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), tools and materials used in this episode include:

Vinyl graphics
Automotive window film-tint kit
Window tint: 5-percent limo, black
Window tint: 35-percent, pre-cut
Painter's tape
Craft paper
Pencil
Scissors
Straight edge
Utility knife
Dishwashing-liquid/water solution in spray bottle
Razor blade
Hard-edge squeegee
Soft-edge squeegee
Drop cloth
Lint-free cloth
Scotch tape
Hair dryer
Nylon scrub pad

DIY Difficulty Rating for This Project: We gave this a difficulty rating of 2 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. The kit comes with all the special tools involved. There are a lot of steps, and this job requires a lot of patience and some specialized cutting. But aside from that, it's a relatively uncomplicated project.

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The Project Car: Lancer Evolution

Not many four-doors qualify as a true sport compact but the Lancer EVO, with 270 factory horsepower, is an exception. The electric-blue paint and spoke wheels on this one easily turns heads. Inside, the Recaro® bucket seats included in the factory package work with a custom 4-point harness.

And under the hood, the EVO sports a giant intercooler and large-diameter silicone soft pipes and a 3 inch exhaust and down-pipe to let the factory turbo breathe freely.

Trends in Graphics and Tint

Because installing vinyl and tint is a two-man job, we recruited Kevin Bingham of Gila Film Products® to help out. The game plan is to lay out the design for a dark silver vinyl graphic that will flow up into the rear window. At that point, the pattern will continue with a limo tint following the same shape but replacing the vinyl. Finally, the rest of the car's windows will get a gun-metal tint to provide privacy and accentuate the graphic.

According to Kevin, a trend in auto graphics include the graphic patterns coming off the body of the car and running into the window. There's also a wide variety metalized and and colored films in red, blue, black, etc.

For our custom graphic, we design a pattern which is then taken to a vinyl shop where the pros digitize it on a computer and actually cut the pattern for us. Once the pattern is done, we install it on the EVO.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Vinyl Graphics Design

• To begin, use a large piece of craft paper and tack it to the front fender with painter's tape.

• Feel along the fender for contours and work with those to trace out the first part of the pattern (figure A).

• Remove the paper and cut out the pattern, making sure to cut the lines straight.

• Then take the pattern back to the car and tack it up to the fender with rolled-up tape to make sure it looks the way you want.

• Now measure the end of the graphic for the height.

• At the table, trace out a few strips of paper the exact height as the first piece and cut them out.

• Hold the strips up to the car and determine the right length. Cut the strip properly by tracing the angle of the first cut (figure B).
  

• The pattern for the project car has breaks in it for visual effect, so we'll do each piece separately. Be sure to use the same angle on all the pieces by matching them with the original angles.

• Repeat this step with all the strips, and attach them to the car (figures C and D).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  Figure E

• Tip: Try to avoid the door handle as you create your design as the handles can be difficult to cut around.

• From the end of the last graphic start a strip of paper up the window and back across horizontally to make a Z-shape (figure E).

• Cut away the excess paper from the corner of the car and window.
  

• The Z-pattern should be broken up a bit, so first trace out the pattern and then cut the pieces out (figures F and G).

  Figure F

  Figure G

  
  

  Figure H

• The next step is to make the separate pieces all one so it will be easier to transport to the vinyl shop. Run a piece of tape the length of the graphic making sure it adheres well to all of the paper (figure H), and go up the window for the Z-pattern as well.

• Slowly remove the paper and all the excess tape holding it on.
  

  	Figure I
  	Figure J

• Take this to the table and lay it sticky side up (figure I).

• Reinforce the pattern with another piece of tape on the backside (figure J).
  
  
• Write on the paper, on the side that faces the car, whether this is the driver-side or passenger side design. Roll up the entire template carefully.

• Now the design is ready to go to the vinyl cutter. Typically any racing shop has the equipment to create the vinyl graphic from your pattern. Sign shops may be able to do it as well.

• Note: You only need to create the design for one side of the vehicle. The vinyl shop can digitally create a mirror-image for the opposite side.
  

  	Figure K
  	Figure L

Once you've got your vinyl graphic in hand, it's time to apply it to the car. Before applying the vinyl, make sure the car is very clean with a thorough wash. Make sure to clean away all dirt, road-grime and remove any tar. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe the finish down just before you apply your graphic.

• Once the car is thoroughly cleaned, hold the graphic up to the car to make sure that the pattern is what you had in mind (figure K).

• Set the graphic aside and take a mixture of soapy water and soak the entire side of the car where the graphic will go.

• Now slowly peel the graphic away from the backing, flip the graphic over and place it back down on the backing.

  
  

  	Figure M
  	Figure N

• Soak down the graphic with the soapy solution.

• Have a friend help you place the graphic on the car (figure L). Slide it around until it's in the proper position.

• Take a soft-edge squeegee and burnish the graphic firmly to work out the liquid and air pockets (figure M).

• Once the lower piece is in place you can add the window graphic.

• Spray down both the window and the graphic liberally and carefully position the upper piece making sure to line it up correctly (figure N).
  

  	Figure O
  	Figure P
  	Figure Q

• Now go back and use a utility knife to cut the transition of the rear door window molding (figure O).

• After about five minutes remove the backing of the graphic by pulling it back over itself very slowly (figure P).

• Once the backing is off, use the squeegee to get rid of any remaining bubbles. Do the same with the window graphic.

• Finally, cut the graphic at the separation between the doors (figure Q). Then open the door and cut the graphic flush with the edge of the door.

RESOURCES :

Racing Innovations, Inc.
We apologize no contact information is available.

Gila Film Products
www.gilafilms.com

Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guide: Import Cars (Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guides)
Author: Joe Pettitt
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Voyageur Press (October 2000)
ISBN: 1884089526

GUESTS :

Kevin Bingham
Gila Film Products
www.gilafilms.com