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Minor additions but make big a difference

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Old May 22, 2022 | 02:35 PM
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Minor additions but make big a difference

When I bought this car a couple years ago it didn't have the Trans Am logos on the front or rear just on the fenders, also didn't have the bird on the nose. I usually don't have very good luck with decals but I had just finished putting the lens tint vinyl on my Challenger and it went very well so I thought hmmmm, I had the extra decals from when I had the front end painted from the hood fiasco so I thought I'm gonna give it a shot. Anyway here's some pics


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Old May 22, 2022 | 03:41 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Very nice
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Old May 22, 2022 | 03:59 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Does make a big difference and what a gorgeous car!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 04:06 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by topduarte
Very nice
Thank you!

Originally Posted by dmccain
Does make a big difference and what a gorgeous car!
Thank you!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 04:52 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Love it. I like having all the factory badges, I had to replace my 5.7 TPI badge on the back because the letters were all falling off.
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Old May 22, 2022 | 05:00 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Komet
Love it. I like having all the factory badges, I had to replace my 5.7 TPI badge on the back because the letters were all falling off.
Thanks! I agree, gives it a finished look!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 05:01 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Here's some before pics

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Old May 22, 2022 | 05:08 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Beeeeeeeeautiful Trans Am!!!!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 05:26 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by dagwood
Beeeeeeeeautiful Trans Am!!!!
Thank you!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 07:42 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

The decals really tie it together, looks great!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 07:45 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Looks great!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 07:55 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Out of curiosity, what is the procedure for installing the bumper decal? I have one sitting around just never put it on yet. I've never installed a decal in my life, unless you count lick and stick
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Old May 22, 2022 | 08:00 PM
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: 305 H.O. TPI
Transmission: Auto 700R4
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Reddragon88gta
The decals really tie it together, looks great!
Thanks!

Originally Posted by Abubaca
Looks great!
Thanks!
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Old May 22, 2022 | 08:04 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
Out of curiosity, what is the procedure for installing the bumper decal? I have one sitting around just never put it on yet. I've never installed a decal in my life, unless you count lick and stick
The decals I got were from Hawks and are repos on vinyl, they go on very easy, I used some masking tape as a template to get it straight and where I needed to put them, these basically have to backings on them, you peel the first one off and place the decal where you want it and then rub the outer backing with a credit card or something similar to set the decal then pull the other backing off and the decal stays in place.
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Old May 22, 2022 | 08:38 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Thanks
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Old May 22, 2022 | 10:20 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

If you put down soapy water, you can slide and float the decal where you want it, then squeegee the water out, which allows the decal to adhere to the surface. Let dry thoroughly. Done.
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Old May 23, 2022 | 07:29 AM
  #17  
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: 305 H.O. TPI
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Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Drew
If you put down soapy water, you can slide and float the decal where you want it, then squeegee the water out, which allows the decal to adhere to the surface. Let dry thoroughly. Done.
I've had mixed results with this method, it seems if the decal is thicker vinyl it works great if it's thin and flimsy not so much but as I said in my first post I'm not that good with decals
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Old May 23, 2022 | 08:37 AM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Looking good! Going to GM Nationals next month?
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Old May 23, 2022 | 07:27 PM
  #19  
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by PAformula
Looking good! Going to GM Nationals next month?
Thanks! gonna try, taking the T/A to an old GM tech friend of mine soon to go over it, still have an intermittent stumble I can't get rid of, if he gets it figured out in time I'll be going.
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Old May 24, 2022 | 07:09 AM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

If you put down soapy water, you can slide and float the decal where you want it, then squeegee the water out, which allows the decal to adhere to the surface. Let dry thoroughly. Done.
As a vinyl graphics installer, I can speak from experience. If you get the soapy water solution mixed right, it's perfect. Too much soap never fully sticks, too little and it doesn't "float" enough. However, they make an installation fluid which is mixed perfectly. (it's not soap, lol). It's MUCH better than soapy water.
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Old May 24, 2022 | 07:13 AM
  #21  
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Abubaca
As a vinyl graphics installer, I can speak from experience. If you get the soapy water solution mixed right, it's perfect. Too much soap never fully sticks, too little and it doesn't "float" enough. However, they make an installation fluid which is mixed perfectly. (it's not soap, lol). It's MUCH better than soapy water.
Where do I find this stuff, what's it called? Could come in handy for future projects!
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Old May 24, 2022 | 09:59 AM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

This is what I use, but I'm sure there are several different brands that work. Rapid TAC application fluid. You can't use too much, but of course.....depending on how much you use, and how many decals you have, that 4 ounce bottle may not be enough. I think pinstripes (Like IROC) are where using it really liberally helps, and you can use a lot of fluid for. Otherwise, that 4oz. goes a long way.

Amazon Amazon

Last edited by Abubaca; May 24, 2022 at 10:08 AM.
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Old May 24, 2022 | 11:30 AM
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: 305 H.O. TPI
Transmission: Auto 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Abubaca
This is what I use, but I'm sure there are several different brands that work. Rapid TAC application fluid. You can't use too much, but of course.....depending on how much you use, and how many decals you have, that 4 ounce bottle may not be enough. I think pinstripes (Like IROC) are where using it really liberally helps, and you can use a lot of fluid for. Otherwise, that 4oz. goes a long way.

https://www.amazon.com/RAPID-Applica...76&sr=8-1&th=1
Thanks, I ordered a silver Pontiac vinyl windshield decal to replace the white one, I'll try it out on that!
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Old May 24, 2022 | 12:02 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

It's good stuff.
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Old May 25, 2022 | 04:15 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Window tint solution also works.
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Old May 25, 2022 | 06:24 PM
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Abubaca
Rapid TAC application fluid.
Thanks!
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Old May 26, 2022 | 07:51 PM
  #27  
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by Kincer
Thanks, I ordered a silver Pontiac vinyl windshield decal to replace the white one, I'll try it out on that!
I'd like to see that when you get it done.
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Old May 26, 2022 | 10:18 PM
  #28  
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Re: Minor additions but make big a difference

Originally Posted by DynoDave43
I'd like to see that when you get it done.
I'll post it up in this thread
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