Oh snap! I'm pretty sure you are in a DIY league of your own...and we are not worthy.

 

WOW 3K?? Probably cause you live in Woodlands. I got quoted like 2k to 2.5k. But then I got mine on a promo deal for cheaper. I live the opposite side of you down south the Clear Lake/League city area lol.
Car looks good so far The front bumper is going to be........smh I'll pray for you lol. I also notice you got the chemical guys kit

 

Here is a comprehensive list of all the supplies I ordered for my wrap project with links and what I've learned to date. I'll update more once I (hopefully) finish the wrap this weekend. All in all, I paid around $800 for all supplies. I received three separate quotes to wrap my IS, which didn't include wrapping the roof or side mirrors, the lowest being 3K, so I saved myself over $2200 to do the project on my own. Money I then used to buy a new intake and exhaust I don't suggest taking something like this on, if you don't have an extra vehicle to use, while you are wrapping your IS (or whatever car you are wrapping), or if you don't have an eye for detail. PATIENCE IS A MUST, and you need a clean and temperature controlled work environment. Don't do this is you live somewhere like Arizona where it's 180 degrees, and you're fighting dust storms.

What I've learned so far:

-I found that I really don't like using the knifeless tape, as it's not very user friendly, and I prefer to do free hand cuts, as they are cleaner, and have less of a chance of making a mistake or tearing the vinyl.
-If you plan to take on a project like this, know that you are going to have to remove both the front and rear bumper (or at least detach) to be able to position the vinyl into some of the complex curves and under the head/tail lights, I suggest removing the lights. You will also have to take all of the door panels off to remove the door handles prior to wrapping the doors. This is very time consuming. Speaking of time.....
-Time: be prepared to put aside at least two weekends to do the work, and have an extra set of hands to help with vinyl placement on the bumpers (I was able to do all other panels on my own), and TAKE YOUR TIME, don't get in a rush, that's when you'll make mistakes......
-Mistakes.......Order extra vinyl for waste, you are going to make mistakes.
-Application gloves, and painters tape are your best friends
-Chrome delete on door trim: lower trim pops off, upper trim is riveted to door, so I don't suggest taking this off. The rubber molding doesn't come off of the chrome piece, so it's futile removing it anyways.
-The heat gun is your friend as well, but only use it when absolutely necessary (in recesses and complex curves), as the vinyl has "memory". The best application of vinyl is cold stretching wherever possible using the triangle technique. This avoids issues with the wrap failing due to overheating/stretching which causes "fingering". I found a lot of useful tips on the wrap institute website, as well as CK wrap video tutorials on youtube:

https://wrapinstitute.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrSpyderGT/videos

SUPPLIES:

Cartridge cutter & replacement blades: $10.69
https://www.fellers.com/fellers-shop...-cutter-a-551p

Pro vinyl application tool kit (a must): $45.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYMQ2CN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Heat gun: $26.92
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004TUCV/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Knifeless tape & Squeegee kit (I don't recommend this if you are able to do free hand cuts): $29.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J28FLS6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fastener Assortment kit with clip remover tool: $22.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KNXI2AS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Auto Trim removal kit (a must): $6.39
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HNMLQAG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Avery Dennison Vinyl (you'll need more than this if wrapping the roof): $480.00
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KTHF5Q8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Vivvid glass black vinyl for chrome delete: $33.98
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FXY83DY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&th=1

Temperature gun (for post heating): $11.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FYVEJMY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edge Seal it pen (for wheel wells): $14.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAQO5LO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Clay Mitt: $34.95
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UI3U98C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wash for satin/matte vinyls: $10.81
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUFWN5E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Detailer/sealant spray for satin/matte vinyls: $12.64
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FQHY64S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Matte Sealant (optional): $26.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013YVG190/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Headlight tint film (for front emblem): $5.59
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAPQOS2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Replacement adhesive for Fsport fender badges (3m is too thick): $16.00
http://www.adhesivetemplates.com/product-detail/?itemID=10844&categoryID=2


Items used but not purchased:

-Wax removing wash (I used Dawn dish soap)
-Painter's tape to protect from free hand cuts
-various sockets and tools for hardware removal
-work lights (if area for wrapping is not well lit)
-micofiber rags
-isopropyl alcohol
-air compressor to blow off dust (tack cloths can be substituted if you don't have one)
-goo gone and dental floss for badge removal

Additional body modifications that I'm doing post wrap:

CF side skirts:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182111473130?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
CF trunk emblem insert:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291663324012?ul_noapp=true
Black Pearl Plated Trunk emblem:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380399579486?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Combo painted trunk lip and roof spoiler:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121786590308?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
CF front lip spoiler:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391357610373?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Seibon CF RF Style rear diffuser (purchased from TH Motorsports, vivid racing link for image purposes only):
https://thmotorsports.com/seibon/sei...p/g-59141.aspx
https://www.vividracing.com/catalog/-p-150782613.html?utm_cmp=FullFeed&gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7jgjdu44y-a0x80Dt8yMZDvfpGYzkB0Cqv2Awb2sIKxoCMsrw_wcB

 

Wow, that's an awesome deal, still way more than what I ended up paying. How long have you had your wrap on, and how well has it held up? Is you car garage kept?

 

Yea I'm a DIY kind of person but I just didn't have the time to do it. Next time I change the color I'll probably do it myself.
I had it almost year now. Beside the normal rock chips for the front bumper overall its pretty good if you take care of it. And yes its garage kept and I high recommend doing so if you can. Easier to clean but also you got to be careful at the same time.

 

Satin White Pearl is a high maintenance color because bugs, bird poo, etc. stain the vinyl very quickly. I've been wiping mine down daily with rinseless wash and microfibres.

On the other hand, it looks amazing!

 

Handle back on! Also, going to Lexus today to pick up the correct size rivets to put the trim back on. Wrapping doors/removing trim/handles is for the birds. I'm taking the rest of the week off.

 

Looking good...dang...that's like work.
Lexus will likely have to order the rivets...and if they have them in stock at the dealer, ask them why for me? Cause I think you're probably the first person to take that trim off, outside of a body shop doing a repair on a door.

 

you big baby!

 

they had them in stock, about a buck a piece. Theres around 14 per door, so that woulve gotten pricey if I had done all the trim. I think the parts guy thought I was nuts when I told him what i was needing.

 

Yeah, but it's going to look awesome. I get my wheels in today (carbon graphite vorsteiner vff103) and I think the contrast will look really nice!

 

I guess we'll be twins then! Satin White Pearl and VFF103s haha.

I can tell you that the contrast is indeed nice; I wish they made them in mystic black, but that's just me being picky.

 

oh wow, haha. I'd love to see pics!

 

I'm stunned they had them in stock.

 

Goodies waiting for me when I got home today!