Well last night after giving the new xB a bath, I finally peeled the window tape. I think it looks better without it. And really looks chopped now.
I gotta get the front windows tinted ASAP.
http://www.randode.com/newxb01.jpg
http://www.randode.com/newxb02.jpg

I also took off the rear wiper and wiper motor. I plugged the hole with a nickle, then noticed that the rear view camera was in the mailbox, so that will be replacing the nickle today.
http://www.randode.com/newxb03.jpg

Then I cut some overlays to cover the nasty warning labels on the visors. The grey that I used is an exact match.
http://www.randode.com/newxb04.jpg

Then since I was cutting vinyl, I made some hatch strut overlays and some engine cover lettering overlays in chrome.
http://www.randode.com/newxb05.jpg
http://www.randode.com/newxb06.jpg

so what do you think? i think its pretty good for almost zero cash, and a couple hours of playing.

That is awesome. I am planning on peeling the tape off mine this weekend. We did it to the 05 and it made it look better also.

Master Low-Buck Modder!

Looks better with out the tape around the window!!

it's coming along nicely! when do the wheels get here?

it's coming along nicely! when do the wheels get here?
supposed to be here today, but there was an issue, so now were looking at next week.

good job. will we see some of this stuff on you web site soon?

yeah i did that little mod to mine (peeling tape) it make the car look 100% better!!! your new xB is lookin great Randy!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

good job. will we see some of this stuff on you web site soon?
theres a few items on there already, including the above overlays.

:bow: :bow: To the scion master :bow: :bow:

Hmmm....

Wondering how much of a difference the peeled tape will make to a black xB2...

It would be as shiny as the car and not the dull tape color

Nice!!!!!

~Stephanie

It would be as shiny as the car and not the dull tape color

And probably easier to clean off the fingerprints my 3yr old leaves...

It does look better with the tape peeled.........

there is no stopping this man...
:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

:clap: :clap: very cool....

i like my tape...the dull black looks good against the shinny white...lol...

Nice!!! Day pics?? I took the tape off on my BOP and it looks sooo much better. Isn't it all one piece now too? And a little thicker?

Hmmm....

Wondering how much of a difference the peeled tape will make to a black xB2...

Black doesn't have tape.

Looks like crap...and vinyl is for losers :loser:

Hmmm....

Wondering how much of a difference the peeled tape will make to a black xB2...

Black doesn't have tape.

Yes it does. I own one.

Hmmm....

Wondering how much of a difference the peeled tape will make to a black xB2...

Black doesn't have tape.

Yes it does. I own one.

:doh: Well the old BSP xB didn't have tape, so I figured the new one wouldn't either. I guess that would make me wrong as usual.

I just removed the tape on my silver xB. Is there an easy way to remove the tape behind the black plastic side mirror housings? Is it possible to remove the mirror by popping off the tweeter housing? Or does the whole door panel have to come off?

Thanks!

LOOKS VERY GOOD :clap: :clap:

I just removed the tape on my silver xB. Is there an easy way to remove the tape behind the black plastic side mirror housings? Is it possible to remove the mirror by popping off the tweeter housing? Or does the whole door panel have to come off?

Thanks!
pop off the tweeter piece. then unbolt the mirror.

Out of curiosity, is there some reason (other than looks) that Scion put the tape around the windows? (Sound dampening? Paint protection?) :question:

Nice visor labels. Wheres mine? lol. still waiting?

The lettering on the engine cover looks perfect, how did you do it?

The factory tape around the windows is just for looks. It hides the window frame lines that don't flow well with the rest of the body.

The lettering on the engine cover looks perfect, how did you do it?

The factory tape around the windows is just for looks. It hides the window frame lines that don't flow well with the rest of the body.
I cut the chrome lettering on my plotter. I sell them on my website.

RustedBorg....I wish I could answer your question...I have been wondering the same thing.

~Stephanie

Awesome Randy! Had fun doing some of the free cheap mods with you...

What is the best whay to take off the tape

yeah, where do you start to peel it and how much

anyone have a white one with before and after

RustedBorg....I wish I could answer your question...I have been wondering the same thing.

~Stephanie

When I picked up my new bsp 08 xB at the dealership over the weekend I asked the salesman about it.

He confirmed that the tape/plastic is really just for looks, but it does have one minor practical benefit ... it helps reduce fingerprints. When most people go to close the car door they grab the outside edge of the door near the window and swing the door shut. If you remove the tape/plastic around the outside of the windows then you will end up with fingerprints showing on the paint around the door frame next to the windows. The tape/plastic doesn't show the fingerprints as easily.

Bottom line, it's for looks. If you don't mind the tape/plastic, leave it on and feel some sense of comfort that fingerprints won't show up as easily on your door frames. If you don't like the look, remove it and laugh at all the people who left the ugly tape/plastic on their xB's.

Anyone with tinted window that removed the tape. I have a white box and will tint the windows today. I think it will look choppy between the doors with white showing.
Dontcha think it will look like one large side window with the tape on and the windows tinted dark
anyone with white this way

WOW! it looks soo much better with the black vinyl removed!
IMO the 1st gen looks better with the black vinyl, but this one looks better without.

I think the new body style is starting to grow on me...

we bought the black sand pearl and ours has tape. is anybody sure it is painted underneath? dealer said it wasn't and i see the black cherry is painted here. i don't want to peel this off and have to pay to get it put back on.

Here is what I think, if you have a black or dark box, it looks good with the windows dark too. but, like my white. it will look to choppy and I will lose the wrap around window look

we bought the black sand pearl and ours has tape. is anybody sure it is painted underneath? dealer said it wasn't and i see the black cherry is painted here. i don't want to peel this off and have to pay to get it put back on.


All are painted and clear coated before the black is added for sure

Here is what I think, if you have a black or dark box, it looks good with the windows dark too. but, like my white. it will look to choppy and I will lose the wrap around window look


I agree, don't peel the tape from around the windows on a light colored car.

I don't know, I've photochopped a white one (which I am considering) and I think it looks pretty good in white.

Would you mind posting it? I was wondering what a white one would look like.

So what's the deal with this? Is it just as simple as it looks like, ya know, peeling tape off of a car? How hard is it, and do I need anything special before I do it? Does it leave behind some sort of adhesive? Just trying to get a read on it before I do it next weekend, any help would be appreciated. I got a new BSP that I wanna clean up the lines on.

So what's the deal with this? Is it just as simple as it looks like, ya know, peeling tape off of a car? How hard is it, and do I need anything special before I do it? Does it leave behind some sort of adhesive? Just trying to get a read on it before I do it next weekend, any help would be appreciated. I got a new BSP that I wanna clean up the lines on.
Do it, esspecially BSP, the Gen1 xB BSP didn't even have it.
It is simple, I would leave you car out in the sun, if it is hot it will come off easier. The longer you wait the harder it is to take off. It may leave just a small amount of adhesive behind, but it will come off easy. The only side effect is that your fingers may hurt from pulling the tape. It is well worth it.

Can we have a DIY on how to do the hatch strut overlays? Looks gorgeous!

~Stephanie

Ok, I got done with the driver's side, but I'm gonna wait a couple days to do the other. I gotta blister on my thumb, and my fingers hurt. Now I know what everybody was talking about. It took me a minute to figure out the best way, so I tried to tear it down the middle and then pull each side off, still sucked but it was faster. I'm probably doing something wrong, of course, but it worked for today. Looks much better, but I forgot to pull the A pillar sticker off, so gonna have to do that tomorrow or later.

Can we have a DIY on how to do the hatch strut overlays? Looks gorgeous!

~Stephanie

Strut overlay application instructions:
Clean surface with glass cleaner.
Add one or two drops of liquid soap to a spray bottle full of water (shake thoroughly)
Remove backing from vinyl overlay.
Mist the backside of the vinyl overlay with the soap/water.
Apply vinyl overlay to surface (the soap/water will allow you to slide the vinyl overlay into place).
Smooth out bubbles and excess soap/water from under the vinyl overlay with your fingers as you wrap the overlay around the strut.

Where do you get this overlay??

~Stephanie

Where do you get this overlay??

~Stephanie
www.randode.com

Ok, I got done with the driver's side, but I'm gonna wait a couple days to do the other. I gotta blister on my thumb, and my fingers hurt. Now I know what everybody was talking about. It took me a minute to figure out the best way, so I tried to tear it down the middle and then pull each side off, still sucked but it was faster. I'm probably doing something wrong, of course, but it worked for today. Looks much better, but I forgot to pull the A pillar sticker off, so gonna have to do that tomorrow or later.

In the motorsickle world, we break out mama's blow dryer and hit the tape/decals with some hot air and then peel away. Do about 3-4 inches at a time. Don't see why this won't work on this vinyl as well.

CAUTION: Blow Dryer for hair. NOT HEATGUN! Heatgun will blister the clearcoat in seconds flat.

^^^^^You are correct, works great! But like you said, be careful!!

Yeah, I realized that it was a cloudy, cool day when I first started it, because when I finished the rest on a hot, sunny day, it came off fairly easy. It still sucked, but not nearly as bad. I was gonna get a blow dryer, but I live in an Apt. Complex and didn't have an extension cord.

After all is said and done, it looks MUCH better, with much cleaner lines, especially the A-pillar.

I am in Florida right now and I did mine yesterday and it came off pretty easy since it was a hot day. It looks so much better with it off. Thanks again randode.

we peeled 3 new xb's the other night at our club meet.

Lets see some more peeled pix... curious how it looks with lighter colors.

Great ideas as always Randode :)

im in the process of peeling my bsp but the problem i run in to is getting the vinyl out from under the window stripping. its a pain in the a$$....anyone know an easier way?

Make sure it has been sitting in the sun for awhile. Then remove the weather stripping and start at one end and take the top off then the bottom and pull both ends at the same time about 3-6 inches at a time then move to where the tape still is and pull for another 3-6inches and repeat til it's off.

sweet thanks!

ill see if this works out

I mentioned this to my sales rep and they peel alll of them now For ya!! If ya want of course. :clap:

i like it with the tape

My mom just purchased a new xB last weekend ( Blackberry Crush) and I saw how randy peeled the tape off of the windows and A- pillar, which looks awesome btw. How exactly do you take this off? and will I need any goo remover for it ?

thanks in advance

heat and peel slowly. you might need something to remove the residue

I just put the side I was working on in direct sun for about 20 mins then peeled, came off like butta. Then turn other side of car in direct sun for 20 and repeat process.

aight, cool thanks :bow:

Just peeled it off our new '08 Xb and love it. I was wondering just the other day why Scion would have blacked all that out the other day, then my husband brought home this post. Not smart enough to have thought of that. Awesome look. Thanks so much. Was tough getting the tape out from under all the window trim. Looks like it was wrapped before the window trim was installed.

I would like to see what the super white looks like without the tape before i do mines

lol... so i couldnt wait to see what a white on looks like without tape... so i started mines.... think ill love it but wish i never started, takes to long....how can i speed it up?

heat it up

lol... kool thanks! took me forever just to do the driver door..... :loser: ... I'll just take it lil by lil

i wouldnt take the tape off of the Super White.... but since you have.. lets see some pics :D

as soon as its done ill post pics...... what i did like about the tape is that it make you think thats the top of the car is kinda floating and only being supported by the back.... but anyways lots mote tape to remove

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q72/jonmach12/projectxb006.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q72/jonmach12/projectxb002.jpg
heres pics of super white minus tape..... I like it a lot but at the same time i liked the tape..... to me the tape made it look sleek i guess, as if the roof was only being held up by the back, without the tape i think it looks more boxy.... let me know that you think

Anybody done this on a silver one? How about a pic?

I've been wondering what this would look like on white. Looks nice, might have to do this to mine :wink:

JMO but I think the XB2 looks best with the tape peeled off the A-pillar but left on the windows.

JMO but I think the XB2 looks best with the tape peeled off the A-pillar but left on the windows.

same. just peeled the tape off today and left the window trim on.

maybe once i get my tints ill rethink it

after seeing pics of just the a-pillar, and all of it peeled (on Super White) and knowing that I'm going to be wrapping my front bumper in the same flat black vinyl, I will be leaving it un-peeled

HOWEVER!

I like the a-pillars done if you're not doing the front wrap, and I do not like the entire windows done at all, too many lines without the vinyl

Nice on the darker ones though!

And nice budge-mods rando :clap:

Dude you gotta be kidding me...I just bought my xB and I was thinking of peeling that tape off too...lol...Hey I've been trying to change out the bulbs in my sidemarkers but can't figure out how to get the cap off you know anything about that. By the way my boy just hooked me up with 6000K HID, they look great you gotta get some and also change out the front turn signals for blue ones too it gives it a more clean subtle look. I like your idea for modding without spending a whole lot. Keep me posted when you have other ideas we think alike. When you got 3 kids to feed, money is tight...LOL hit me up if you on myspace too www.myspace.com/lj1977

the tape on my a-pillar definitely has to go...

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. Just did the A pillars only on my Super White. Looks much better now IMO. For those who are going to attempt this let me give some advice. Start on the door jam side of the A pillar and get the whole thing started from top to bottom. Then work the entire thing towards the windshield until you just reach the other side of the A pillar. Then pull slowly down the A pillar and it should come out from behind the molding without any problem. In the beginning just I started at the top and tried to work the whole thing down and it just wasn't working out. Hope this helps anyone with limited patience like myself!

I'm in Austin for the holiday, but as soon as I get back home..... I'm tearin the tape off!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE the look!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!

i got rid of the a-pillar tape. is just a cleaner look IMO. i'm leaving the door tape though. i like the look of it with my dark-tinted windows. flows nicelyhttp://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa2/jrw_1981/photos005.jpg

I have posted pics of my SW xB with the tape removed... and well I now am not liking it. Just found out that the tape is available through the dealership.... sale rep said auto bods due the best job of putting it back on. So I think thats what I'm going to do.

The Black Sand Pearl XB sure does!...
I have that flat-black tape on mine!

So you're telling me that if i remove it it's Black Sand Pearl underneath!?

I removed mine, I love it. And yes, the color of the car will be underneath. I'll post a pic later of my Hypnotic Teal with the tape off of the A-Pillars later this evening.

Went by the dealership to ask about buying the black tape to put it back on.... the crazies wanted $260 for tape.... NUTS!!!

:rofl:
tape removal on a white one is ugly. just go by a vinyl shop and i'm sure they'll even install it for a lot less than $260

Your local sign shop should carry a product called "Rapid Remover" it softens up the vinyl without hurting the paint.

More info here-
http://www.rapidtac.com/products/remover.html

how about some pics of the super white with only the a-pillar peeled off?

how about some pics of the super white with only the a-pillar peeled off?
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/RMS2K05/2007HINAutoImportCrazecl160.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/RMS2K05/2007HINAutoImportCrazecl161.jpg

wow looks good...im contemplating on whether or not to do it now.

how about some pics of the super white with only the a-pillar peeled off?
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/RMS2K05/2007HINAutoImportCrazecl160.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/RMS2K05/2007HINAutoImportCrazecl161.jpg

wow!! wish I would have done that to mines... i took it all off and now looking to put it back on... looks hot!

I have a black one and it has tape

in my opinion the lighter cars (white, silver) don't look so good with all of the tape peeled, just the A pillar looks good, though. the darker cars look pretty good with it all peeled. like the one guy in this thread that now wishes he didn't do it, i would say make darn sure before you do it. my 2 cents.

in my opinion the lighter cars (white, silver) don't look so good with all of the tape peeled, just the A pillar looks good, though. the darker cars look pretty good with it all peeled. like the one guy in this thread that now wishes he didn't do it, i would say make darn sure before you do it. my 2 cents.

^^^^x2. I don't think it flows very well. Heck, even if I had the NB, I'd keep the window tape. I just don't prefer the aesthetics of it pulled.

i like the tape. when peeled off the car looks a little off. it can go either way. it's just taste i guess.

Not a great pic to see it but here's my Blackberry Crush with just the A pillar tape removed. Did it the night I brought it home.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i73/TurboMoe/DSC00968.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w93/rswscion43/IM000302.jpg

Blackberry all tape removed!

my xb2 bsp has tape...

doesn't all of them have those black tape

Blackberry all tape removed!

what are those chrome trim thing doing on your doors? Especially when they arent even long enough. :no:

hmmmm i might do the a pillar....

I just pulled the tape from my A pillar and after looking at it I don't know why they ever would have put it there in the first place. Looks soo much better with out it. Oh yeah, anyone thinking about doing this DEFINATELY let your car sit in the sun awhile to losen things up a bit. Though I could get away with it in the shade since it was a nice hot 82° out today. First side in the sun came off no problem. The shaded side.... well, my fingers are still sore from pulling tape lol.

lets see a GRM with only a-pillar removed! if not you'll see it next week anyhow...lol

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o263/jdmh22acb7/scionxbgraill024.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o263/jdmh22acb7/scionxbgraill027.jpg

Finally got her done last week!

So on saturday i was sittin around bored and decided it was time for the a-pillar tape to go. the whole process took almost an hour for both sides. my only problem is on the window side of the pillar, there are little scraps of vinyl that didnt come off, and they are really hard to get out now. any suggestions of how to get the little scraps out?

Looks better with out the tape around the window!!
except in SW.
good stuff though OP

So on saturday i was sittin around bored and decided it was time for the a-pillar tape to go. the whole process took almost an hour for both sides. my only problem is on the window side of the pillar, there are little scraps of vinyl that didnt come off, and they are really hard to get out now. any suggestions of how to get the little scraps out?

had the same problem but i used a tweezers to get those little pieces out since my fingers dont fit in there...but be careful to not scratch your car with the tweezers

Ok, Ok, I'm tired of seeing every other color with the a-pillar tape removed, I need to see one, just one BSP that has done it. Post it up jigga :!:

Still a noob here... is peeling the tape bad in anyway for the car (during rain, etc), why is it there if it comes off almost eaily?

Still a noob here... is peeling the tape bad in anyway for the car (during rain, etc), why is it there if it comes off almost eaily?
Aesthetics.

I'd love to see what a silver box would look like with all the tape peeled. I'm really thinking about peeling just the A pillar (and there's a pic of it on p3 in this topic I believe), but I would love to see another silver box out there with it all peeled. I think the white box looks pretty awesome peeled.

I would like to see a RS6.0 with the A-Pillar tape removed. Anyone with a picture????

I'd love to see what a silver box would look like with all the tape peeled. I'm really thinking about peeling just the A pillar (and there's a pic of it on p3 in this topic I believe), but I would love to see another silver box out there with it all peeled. I think the white box looks pretty awesome peeled.

I would like to see a RS6.0 with the A-Pillar tape removed. Anyone with a picture????
From another thread:

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/108/l_babfd00c8be64ae1a2ca7287d7416610.jpg

I'd love to see what a silver box would look like with all the tape peeled. I'm really thinking about peeling just the A pillar (and there's a pic of it on p3 in this topic I believe), but I would love to see another silver box out there with it all peeled. I think the white box looks pretty awesome peeled.
To each their own, I guess -- not a chance I'd peel my SW.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/XBwithLids.jpg

Man, dunno how I missed this thread after I bought my car in March. I always wondered what the point of the tape/vinyl was, now I have even noticed it on my Sonata doors.

I decided to keep the door trim tape because I think its protective use if very important. The A pillar on the other hand has always been ugly to me. Likin it much better!

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/jlwhid/IMG_1935.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii47/jlwhid/IMG_1936.jpg

I'd love to see what a silver box would look like with all the tape peeled. I'm really thinking about peeling just the A pillar (and there's a pic of it on p3 in this topic I believe), but I would love to see another silver box out there with it all peeled. I think the white box looks pretty awesome peeled.
To each their own, I guess -- not a chance I'd peel my SW.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/TrevorSt/XBwithLids.jpg
God, that's such a dramatic xB2 picture. :bow:

Man, dunno how I missed this thread after I bought my car in March. I always wondered what the point of the tape/vinyl was, now I have even noticed it on my Sonata doors.

I decided to keep the door trim tape because I think its protective use if very important. The A pillar on the other hand has always been ugly to me. Likin it much better!
I think your box would look good with all of it peeled. It seems the darker boxes look better peeled and the lighter boxes with just the A pillar; however, I fancy the SW box completely peeled. It's very attractive to me.

Oh, but as a quick addendum if you have bat's bumper overlay on your box, you might want to keep some of that tape on there as it goes great together in my opinion.

I just peeled my classic silver xB2 A pillars today, and it came out ten times better looking then i would have ever expected!!! I couldnt be happier with how it came out

I just peeled my classic silver xB2 A pillars today, and it came out ten times better looking then i would have ever expected!!! I couldnt be happier with how it came out
You'd laugh at my silver box. I peeled one and left the other one on because I'm too lazy to get around to doing it. My driver side is taped up and the passenger a-pillar is not. :silly:

haha i did the same thing i did the passenger side first just incase it didnt look right i was goin put the tape on order if i wanted it back on! But like i said couldnt have looked better when all was said and done....i had some sore thumbs for about a day after lol

I think I might go ahead and finish up my last a-pillar tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be nice and hot. Plus I might utilize the hair dryer method, too.

Did my HTM today... 85 degrees and is it still kinda hurt my fingers.... will have pics up soon

I used the hair dryer on high, parked in direct sunlight, and it was still a pain, still killed my fingers.

Yep. I'm a habitual nail biter, too, so that will worsen my cause. Hopefully I'll be able to tackle that last bit of vinyl on Wednesday. It really does look funny with only one pillar peeled. It's like an 80's rebel twist on a newer, sophisticated car.