pcguy2u

Anyone have any experience installing Racing Stripe Decals? My main interest is in covering a small, but bothersome, paint imperfection on the hood.

My concern is that the cellophane decals are not terribly durable and may end up with bubbles, and the vinyl decals are quite thick?

Any ideas here - I have a quote for $800 to paint the hood and the decal would cover the problem nicely for less than half the price..........



TIA

DUB

TIA,
First off...$800.00 for painting a hood is quite high. They must be blending into your bumper and or fenders to get the price that high. IF not...the labor rate per hour out there in California have to be higher than in my area.

Secondly....if using a decal that is made from 3M material....much like ther pinstripe tape.....the hold-out should last a long time if maintained.

As for installing it...without bubbles. Due to the size of your decal (surface area). It follows the same principle as installing decals for model cars or window tint. The use of a very,very,very mild mixture of soap in water...misted on the surface of your car....after is is PERFECTLY CLEAN and free of ANY contaminent...will allow the decal to be applied and then squeegeed off to set the decal and remove any bubbles and water that is under the decal.

I applied many HUGE decals (4' x 6') on the side of tractor trailers many,many years ago. And having to make sure that there were no air bubbles around the rivets in the side of the trailer...or any cuts, tears or pin holes....this was the method I used to get them to adhere and pass quality control.

Make sure that you do this in an ULTRA CLEAN environment....if possible.

VERIFY!!!!! that the decal you are using will allow this method to be used...due to adhesive technology more than likely has changed a bit...and another process may need to be implemented. VERIFY it with the manufacturer of your decal material...if possible. This information MAY make the job go easier.

"DUB"

filmjay

$400 for a vinyl graphic is too much. I did this myself for about $25-$30 and about 3 hours. The largest part of the expense being that fancy new 3M carbon vinyl that's only been on the market for a few months. And 3 hours because I made the tape template from scratch.


That stuff is f'n awesome! No water needed, it's heat reactive. An x-acto knife and a hair dryer is all you need for install. You can wad it up in a tiny ball, put heat on it, and it will nearly unfurl itself and flatten back out with no wrinkles or imperfections.
Plus it's pretty thick = durable. And so far, it's stayed looking great sitting outside in the elements with no clear or UV coatings.

Anyway, graphic/stripe installs are super easy. Order some vinyl and get creative. Goggle vinyl graphics installation if you're unsure of the process. Even if you have to do it 2-3 times to get it right, it's still cheaper than paying $400+ for a stripe. A whole body stripe might be $50-$70 of normal graphic vinyl. Even doing it in this exotic carbon vinyl I have might be $100-$120.

The biggest thing is to just take your time and not get in a hurry.

pcguy2u

Thought I had someone but he bailed - have the decals and would like to get this done..............

Nick

pcguy2u

Got a PM referal and will have the strip installed today - will post a photo later.

Many thanks...........

pcguy2u

Weather's not cooperating here so no photo yet, but Install was done by Hank at Automotive Appearance Specialists in Petaluma - Goo Job and reasonable. BTW the stuff is more forgiving than you might think and it is self correcting when finally exposed to the sun, more or less.

pcguy2u

Here's the finish rehab/stripe...........