I have a few questions about racing stripes for our cars...

1.) I just got the vinyl stripes and I was wondering what is the process before putting them on? Do i just wash the car and apply them? I havent waxed the car since last summer so I dont think i have to strip the old wax.

2.) When is the best time to put them on? when it starts getting warmer?

3.) I heard using rubbing alcohol to clean the surface where the stripes go is supposed to help. Is this true?

4.) After they are on do I let them just sit and dry? if so for how long?

5.) After I put them on I plan on waxing my car with meguiar's 3 step plan, would I wax and polish over the stripes or just leave them alone?

any info will greatly help!

I'll post pics when I finish this!

 

For the Vinyl ones, Clean the car really good. Start at the base, use a credit card and slowly press them on, using the card to push them down good and get all air bubbles out. Once you got them applied, get a pin to pop air bubbles and smooth out with the credit card...We did them on my Mom's Caravan well over 2 years ago, still looks good

 

alright so I'll need a pin.

anyone else have any info on this at all??

all your help is greatly appreciated!
thx!

 

I always heard that you're supposed to use a soapy water solution under the viynl before applying to give the adhesive some ability to be moved in case you f*ck up...?

 

you can go that, but afterwards it wont stick on long (the adhesive isn't all that great)...On my moms van I just never pressed all the way down on the stripe until it was perfectly straight...I think I used my old learners permit to press it down

 

i did mine . ..see pic
1. wash your car
2.get a spray bottle and put some lukewarm soapy water in there
3. spray your car where your putting the stripes
4. when you peel the vinyl, spray the sticky side and then apply it to the car
5. use either the card they should supply you w/, if not a credit card works just fine
6. the most important step, get a hair dryer and go w/ the credit card over the stripes again
should dry in a day-anotherwords don't do any crazy driving
hope that clears things up

 

and the back . . .

 

sweet, thx for the help guys. I was thinking about taking a piece of rope and running it down the center of the car to match it up right. How far apart did you put yours?? Where did u start when u did them?

Anyone know about what I should do to wax it??

any info helps!

thx!

 

lol where do u get vynal racing stripes for our cars?

 

depends on where you live and how much you wanna pay for them. around here there are a few detailing places that paint like boats and motorcycles, and they also put pinstriping and stripes on them, they are also fairly cheap at these places too. or you could go to a dealership, they come probably order you stripes but it will cost you an arm and a leg!

 

Ebay....Any Color you want

 

So does anyone else have any thoughts/hints/tips???

I guess im going to assume that u dont polish or wax over the stripes....

I have one more question....do I wet the whole length of the stripe and just position it to the right place, or is it better to "roll" the stripe on with the solution? Then I just use the squeegee and get the air bubbles out right?

thx a lot guys!

 

yes roll the strip on while aplying solution and rubbing out air bubble with card or squeege. i have done stripes on both my camaro and a neon, the camaro was a lot harder cuz its a bigger car of course. as far as waxing or polishing them, i always put wax and polish over them and it ever hurt them so i say why not!

 

Local graphics company for me, cost 40 pounds, bout $60...

 

 

 

I see someone said use a credit card to help lay down the stripes and get rid of bubbles etc etc...

Wrap the credit card with a rag or paper towel, otherwise you'll take a pretty good risk of scratching or even destroying your new stripes.

How do I know this? Hehe...my wallet told me not to do it the 2nd time I bought window tint.

 

My stripes were put on dry (by a proffesional) and there isnt a bubble anywhere. for home though, i'd agree with everyone else, put them on wet.

I have been assured i can polish over mine, but i'd advise anyone to use caution, the last thing you want is patchy swirly stripes, test your polish on a spare piece of vinyl, to see how it goes.