We tried to have a local graphics shop install 10" stipes on my wifes new vapor silver GT. First they claimed they didn't need a kit since they cut their own graphics. They tried that and couldn't get the the front or rear bumper kits to line up due to the contour so they told me to go ahead and get the kit from Baltimore Street Mods which I wanted to get in the first place. I got the kit and they tried it. They obviously didn't know what they were doing! uneven spaces on the stripes, bubbles, etc. We made them take them off. It looks like I will have to do it myself. I have installed graphics on several of my boats but never on a car with several panels. For those who have installed their own stripes....How hard was it? What tips can you give? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Stripe kit install?? Help!
- Thread starter qwkpony
- Start date
-
Sponsors (?)
tom281
New Member
Did my own, first time vinyl virgin, last year.......
1) Patience. Plan on parking the car for a couple of days, not hours. If you rush, you'll either mess up or end up ruining some of the material.
2) Use the right tools..... get a soft sqeegee, application fluid, etc.
3) Have an extra set of hands available........
4) Patience.
5) Patience.
1) Patience. Plan on parking the car for a couple of days, not hours. If you rush, you'll either mess up or end up ruining some of the material.
2) Use the right tools..... get a soft sqeegee, application fluid, etc.
3) Have an extra set of hands available........
4) Patience.
5) Patience.
onebad95
Sherriff of Bling King County
I helped do mine. I agree, it takes patience. Also, when you are done park it in the sun. You might get a few bubbles, but mine laid down after a day or 2 in the sun. Good Luck.
kooldawg6
mine works really well and can take a fair amount
+100%!!!!!
I did my own rocker stripes this spring...by myself. I used some masking tape since I didn't have the extra set of hands. This was also my first time applying vinyl. I read numerous sites on the net for pointers. I took about 3 hours start to finish and I only had 1 mishap. On the passenger door, the top stripe somehow got kinked
so I had to slit it. The other 2 stripes were fine. I know it's there, but from 10 feet it's barely noticeable. Good luck and post of the picswhen done
beecha91
Founding Member
Mine were installed at the ford dealer, and had mad bubbles and gaps when I first was looking at the car. After I bought it, I had to bring it back and they fixed about 99% of the errors in the stripes. Still have a few slight bubbles on the back most bumper. It was a 100% when I picked it up the second time, but the day during the summer when I had to it was storming BAD, and real humid. Took me over an hour to get home too which didnt help. So after I got home it mad the bubbles reappear. Doh
Thanks for the input. I recognize that this is going to take a while. I just don't think the shops really care about the level of perfection in laying the stripes out. They just want to get them on. Anyway, I plan on putting a 2" strip of painters tape from the front to the rear along the centerline to give a guide to assure even placement of the stripes. I know the front and rear bumpers are the real challenge due to the contours. I have been given advise to carefully use a hair dryer to get the contours to fit just right. I sure hope this works! Any other real world experience and tips are greatly appreciated!
