240z vinyl side stripes...question

[mally002]

Although I'm 3-4 weeks away from getting my car back from the painter, once I have it I was going to apply the white 240z side stripes that run along both sides of the car. I already have them and was wondering if anyone has ever applied them to their car.

What is the best proceedure to make sure they go on straight?

Any tips or tricks would be appreaciated.

Thanks in advance,

Randy

[Mckrack]

I wish I knew. I can't even get the airfilter housing stickers on so they won't fall off. If they are self adhesing maybe get some prepsol from the body shop and then heat up the stripes with a hair dryer just a little so the glue softens up and then have someone hold a string line to put them on straight or follow the line of the rocker panels.

Use the prepsol to clean off any residue on the paint and let dry. It's great stuff and in no way will damage the paint.

Should look nice when your done.

McKrack

[WingZr0]

Not sure how much help this is but I have an article in one of my muscle car magizines on the proper way to apply rocker panel / side stripes. It was a very detailed 3 page article.

I can't remember the whole thing but I'll dig it out of my archives this weekend and scan it for you.

If anyone knows where I'm going with this, please feel free to fill in....

It basically summed up to measure the height of your stripes and decide what level of height to place it on the car.

Mark the top and bottom of stripe location on the car with a grease pencil.

Then you take a string and taped it to one end of your car at height chosen where the top of stripe will go, run it straight across as you feel is correct then tape the other end down.

Take a water saluble grease pencil and mark some spots along the line of string where the stripe will go.

Remove string.

Then from here on methodes vary as far what kinds of stripe meterial your using.

But it was the basic heating and sponge to move the bubbles out the sides reutine.

But you do take the stripe and run it along the grease pencile lines to make sure it all lines up correct.

Let me find the article though and scan it for you so it can give you more clear detail

~Z~

[Arne]

I was considering the black side stripes for my yellow 240Z, when I got to that stage of the project. Now that I have my red one and the yellow car will be sold (soon), I haven't made any call on stripes for it. Could go black, white or none.

But the point is that if I were to do this, I'd take the stripes to a local sign shop (the ones who apply vinyl signs, lettering and logos to vehicles) and pay them to do it right. Wouldn't cost much, I'm sure. And they know what they are doing - I don't. Sometimes it's worth paying the pros to do things.

[mally002]

Thanks for heads up guys, I appreaciate it.

[Go240Zags]

Using a chalk line, rather than a grease pencil, might work as well for the do-it-yourselfers.

[Stickerman]

As the owner of a few sign shops, I would say take it there and let them do it. That being said, here are some tips. 1st, no heat. It will distort the vinyl. 2nd, no windex. It will eventually break down the pigment. 3rd, no grease pen or chalk. It will affect how well the vinyl sticks.

Take a spray bottle filled with water and put (1) drop of diswashing soap in it. Only (1) drop. Spray the area of the car where the vinyl will be. The wetter it is, the longer it will take to dry, and you will have more bubbles, but they will come out easier and it will be easy to adjust. Does that make sense?

After spraying the panel, peel the backing from they vinyl and put it where you want it to go, (lining up the top and sticking from top to bottom is easier on rockers) don't be afraid to peel off and restick, if it is not right. Use a squeegee (credit card works) to press it on the car and remove bubbles. If it is really wet, let it dry some before removing top tape layer. If there are some bigger bubbles still left the easist thing is to carefully lift up that section and restick. Most people damage the vinyl trying to squeegee out bubbles at this stage.

This is one of those things that sounds harder than it is, most people are too cautious when doing it, and that leads to the water drying out and stretching the vinyl.

The best advice would be to get a scrap piece from a sign shop and practice with that on a window a few times.

[bobc]

Stickerman has it right! I used a bit of Dawn mixed with water and it worked out well. It is hard to get the stripe level though. Be sure the car is on level ground and you've measured correctly. Do it twice to be sure!

Now one thought I had was to either buy or rent one of the laser levelers that drop in ceiling guys use. It wouldn't put anything on the car and it would provide you with a constant line to use in applying the decal. Wish I had thought of that earlier!!!

Check this out: http://www.strait-line.com/irwin/consumer/straitline/jhtml/laser_level_30.jhtml;jsessionid=PYF2BSPKFPYRQCQHUBSCGWQKA4QHQJCK

It looks like this model is around $20.00.

Good luck!

Bob

[WingZr0]

Sorry Mally, I think I read that article at work and forgot to buy the mag :stupid:

But EVERYTHING that was in there was coverd by Stickerman, so go with the pros.

I mean come on, the guy has like as many shops to fill up a Yellow Pages section

~Z~

[mally002]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll let the pro's handle this one, although the stripes are only $20, I don't want to go through the hassel of a re-order.

Also, Escanlon brought up a good point in a PM that I may want to wait a bit after a fresh paint job.

PS...bob, your stripes look great with that BRG, hope mine turns out as well.