I just received the kit from phoenix graphix and I'm thinking on installing it this weekend.
Is there any tips you can give me before I start, so I don't mess up things. I read the instructions that came with it, but the thing that I'm worried about is how to align the accent stripe to the dot faded one, wich one do you install first? Can they both be installed the same day?
Anything that you've learned in the process will help, thanks.

 

I do this for a living, so here goes.

As far as the "which one first" question, do the dot fade/larger stripe first. I'd follow the directions. I install graphics all day and I'll be honest, stripes can be tricky. I had to do mine on my Iroc twice before I was happy. If you can afford to have a pro do it, It's worth the money. If not, BE PATIENT. As for lining up the smaller stripe, I'd just do it by hand. Have a buddy hold down one end and stretch the stripe over the area to be striped. put your end down wherever you think it looks good. If you're slightly off, you can lift up the stripe and do it again, just make sure your bud keeps his finger on his end. The good news is that it looks like that red stripe is pretty thin, so if you messup, you can probably buy some more just about anywhere.

Look in the book under SIGNS. I work for Sign-A-Rama, and we should have a branch in your area...we have over 500 stores.

 

i saw some show where they were putting on a large hood decal and they sprayed the hood with soapy water so when the sticker was laid you could still move it around and get any wrinkles out. when it's where you want it, smooth it out/push water out, let dry and rinse soap off

 

I disagree..Personally I did the thin accent color first, then put the fading dot on top mostlly because the small skinny stripe was a sticker and the other was a decal so I did the dry one first then had the (blue in my case) to line up the other one,otherwise you will not have a solid gray at the top of the accent color befor the fading begins.and i was also thinking this would help keep the water rolling off of it better instead of having a little lip for the water to try to get under.
The only problem area was when it went around the corners of the back bumper,the front bumper and all the sides were easy.

Do use a water / soap mixture it helps alot because then you can move it if you need to.

I ended up with about 5 or 6 feet of extra so don't freak out if you mess up a piece

I looked into having mine put on by the pros but they said $150.00 and I said no thanks.

Take your time and you will love it,and be pround that you did it all yourself.But you can still do it in a day, easy..

Good luck

 

No offense intended, but I wouldn't use this method. You will end up stretching the stripe material as it goes on the car, and then it will tend to shrink back over time. I would go with the suggestion of using a lubricant that allows you to position the stripe or decal and then squeegee the water out once it is in position. This is how the pros do it, and it's how you should do it too.

 

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The only problem area was when it went around the corners of the back bumper,the front bumper and all the sides were easy.

First of all, thanks to everyone that replied; All of your opinions help.

And second: Scott, what problem did you have with the corners of the back umper, and how did you take care of it?
Thanks

 

As I mentioned earlier, I do this all day long...and trust me when I say to do it by hand. If you use soap and water under a thin pinstripe...as well as for the small "bird decals" you can keep moving them yes, but you may end up with wrinkles AND you may not be able to get the soap out. If you DO use soapy water, only use a small amount of soap. You don't want it to be too soapy.

As for doing the Larger stripe first...I was wrong...since the red stripe butts up against the GFX...I'd do it first. I thought it was the other way around...sorry.

Matt427
No offense taken, but I AM A PRO, and we almonst NEVER start a job intending to do a wet application. As for a hood bird, yes, in that case we would. But never for stripes. The reason I had to do mine twice is because I got nervous while working on my OWN car and opted to do it wet...bad idea. It can work, yes...but beleive me when I say that with such a small adhesive/surface area like a pinstripe, you may get it straight, but it may never fully dry. There are several RIGHT ways to do it. I'm only saying how WE do it.

 

As for the back bumper...I would use a heat gun to help bend the stripe, but this can be VERY TRICKYIt takes a lot of practice, but it does work. . I honestly don't know what to tell you. Do the directions offer a method? Anyone have a better way?

 

I didnt buy the stripes but what I did was get in too much of a hurry with the 4 TRANS AM decals. The fender ones went on good but I messed up on the placement of the front and rear ones, they are out of position. Make sure you have a good idea of where they go.

 

Hey guys, I just noticed that the red "accent" stripe has a thin clear protective plastic over it. Do I have to take it off?

 

I did the fender trans am decals, and the red stripe, and everything came out fine, I'll do the rest tomorrow.

 

Looks good! You must have repainted the car, looks fresh. I want those 5.0 LITER F.I. decals! Do you have the FUEL INJECTION door handles?

I would leave the protective plastic on until your ready to Zaino......

Zaino the car next after all the decals are on, Zaino is safe on decals and you can put it on in the sun!

I know of no other polish that can make this claim!

Did you do the stripes to make it original? Do you have your RPO's?

Don

 

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Looks good! You must have repainted the car, looks fresh.

Thanks 85 T/A WS6. The paint is only a few months old, and I wet sanded it, that's why it looks that way.

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Do you have the FUEL INJECTION door handles?

Yes it does.

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Did you do the stripes to make it original?

Yes. I like when I see a clean, and stock looking car, it seems like going back in time, it brings back memories from high school.
I'm not sure if there was a color combo like mine from factory, but I know there was a silver/black combo, and it looks really nice.

 

YES! If you don't it will yellow, turn brittle, crack, and generally mess up the stripe underneath...
Rob