Bubbles in decals just installed
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
Bubbles in decals just installed
I just installed a set of GS stripes on my car last night and everything looked great. It sat in the garage all night and this morning I have bubbles all over one of them. I used Invisible Glass to spray and apply it (mid America instructions said to use glass cleaner).
Will the vinyl breathe and let these dry out or, should I heat it up with a hair drier and try to reapply it?
Will the vinyl breathe and let these dry out or, should I heat it up with a hair drier and try to reapply it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 233
From: Minnetrista Minnesota
I used Vette Stripes on my car. They recommended warm water with a little baby soap. Worked really well. They key was to use a squeegie and work the bubbles out from the middle to the outside edge while the stripe was still wet.
If your stripes are dry now, I think you are scrxwed. But maybe someone else has an idea for you,
If your stripes are dry now, I think you are scrxwed. But maybe someone else has an idea for you,
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
It's weird- I had them perfectly smooth when I was done last night. No bubbles at all. This morning I came in the garage and one of the stripes is loaded with these little bubbles. Somehow, they appeared overnight.
Last edited by chrisd0729; May 11, 2013 at 08:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,008
Likes: 49
From: Hoover, AL NCM Life Member #2438
It's water that has pooled together under vinyl. They need to sit in the sun for a few hours and most ..... more than likely all will be gone. Tint does the same thing 
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville FL
I wouldn't try to use a hair dryer it would probably soften the glue. Sunlight would warm up the water bubbles and let them evaporate out. Give it a couple of days and if there's anything trapped under there still get a small needle and poke a hole in the bubbles and give them a tiny push. You wont be able to see the pinhole and everything will stay on perfectly.
I went through some stripes on my Mustang that had a few bubbles. They work themselves out.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
Nah, unfortunately they're still there. the really small bubbles went away however, it still looks like a mess. It's so frustrating though.... both stripes were PERFECTLY smooth when I was done installing them. These bubbles appeared overnight!
Did you apply it differently? Small bubbles should evaporate out with time. IMO that one stripe is beyond help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
I can't stand looking at the one. I'm so tempted to rip them off. Just hoping it mat get better though.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 452
Likes: 9
From: Dallas Texas
I have to wonder if there was something on the paint (or the underside of the vinyl), before the stripe was applied. I had a few small bubbles on one of my stripes, but a day in the sun cleared them up.
Maybe you should wet that one down and try to lift/reapply it. Your other stripe looks great!
Maybe you should wet that one down and try to lift/reapply it. Your other stripe looks great!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
That's what I'm considering.... Just not sure how to beat remove it. Hair dryer and then slowly work it off? Just hoping I don't end up with the adhesive on the body and having to remove it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
I caved- heated them up and tore them off tonight. These were from mid America. Anyone suggest a good source for these stripes? I'm thinking Ill go with corvettemods this time.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 22,135
Likes: 2
From: Ft Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
A+ rating for your product and service! I had them within 2 days of ordering and then installed with the thorough instructions included. Both the GS stripes and the emblem blackouts came out awesome. The matte black looks great on silver and helps accent the black wheels.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
As a LAST RESORT try this.. ..If you are at the point where your going to remove them, try wetting them real good.. and use a straight pin to put 1 tiny hole and immediately wipe it with a wet cloth.. pressing hare to force the air out of the pin hole..
No promises, but its worth a try if your going to remove the strips anyway.... just a thought ...
oops Sorry
I see you already removed them....
No promises, but its worth a try if your going to remove the strips anyway.... just a thought ...
oops Sorry
I see you already removed them....