OK, I just decided that my next mod (for real this time- heh) will be boot stripes.



Black stripes on the hot orange are going to look great I think... Aesthetic Creations has a nice set for $65 for the Cabrio... I understand that I need to heat and remove the rear badge, then re-apply it (they give you a replacement with the stripes- nice touch).

I know I can do this, but I wonder how hard it is to apply the stripes themselves? Looks like it might be nightmarish trying to get them perfectly centered around the chrome hinges. Does anyone have experience with applying these and can give pointers (a walk-through would be great if someone has a link), or is this strictly a job for "them that knows what they're doing"?

After this... DRIVING LIGHTS (probably).

Thanks!

 

it's easy if you use some masking tape as your alignment guide and some soapy solution so you can move it around until you squeegee the solution
out.

use a cotton t-shirt over the squeegee so you don't scratch the surface.

good luck.

 

Oh... so these are a "cling" type stripe, and not one with a hard adhesive? To apply those kind, you put a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the water, spray it on the (thoroughly cleaned and degreased) surface, then roll on the stripe, right? Sounds like you have a few seconds to slide the decal around on the soap, then when you squeege it "locks" down? How long do you let is set before you take it out? Overnight?

Appreciate the tip- I thought I read somewhere that the stripes were sticky-type.

 

I've been thinking about doing the same on Gromit. I just put custom stripes on the bonnet.

The custom bonnet stripes I got from AesthetiCreations had the "hard" adhesive. Mike put an instruction sheet in the box with the stripes that explained the process really well.

I had never done anything of this type before, so I was a little nervous about the process. The actual installation was EASY. The hard part(not really) was making sure I got the stripes in the right position on the bonnet.

For this, I put some thread down the centerline of the bonnet and measured out from there to make sure the stripes were centered.

PM me if you want more details about the actual installation process. I was really surprised with how easy it was.

 

Mishka: What did you use to lay down the center line? Blue tape?

 

No, they are the adhesive type, but the application method is basically the same

 

With this type you only have one shot to align them though, right? Looks like there's a notch or something cut into the bottom edge to fit around the boot hinge, which should help, but I'm always so afraid of air bubbles with stickers of this type...

 

The stripes I got from Mike for my boot were also the sticky kind. I had no trouble getting them on with the great instructions from Mike. I found that if I lined them up over the hinge first and then worked from there it worked best in getting them straight. The stripes were a little long so I had to decide if I would cut them, or wrap them over the top of the boot...I wrapped. See my gallery for a few picts of the stripes...I also left the Coooper badge off.

 

those aren't the static type are they? i thought those had the real adhesive backing on them.... ?

while the soapy solution is under the adhesive you can move the stripe
around until you squeegee out the solution. after you squeegee, you
can take a heat lamp and accelerate the drying process (i toasted
my stripes for 1hr) and not wash/wax the car for a few days.

after that, it's like a permanent bond.

 

I used thread held in place with blue painters tape.

 

i

 

Wahoo! They're on order! Hopefully soon I'll have them, and I'll be sure to document the process for others. Cross your fingers for me, but hopefully the directions will be as clear as I've been told (deep breath)...

 

They're here! They're here! They're here!! I have so many pics to put up!

 

Excellent! I'm waiting for that great doc from you so I don't screw up mine in a week or two?

 

I'm putting them on as soon as I get home. With the convertable and the external hinges, they look to be a snap!

 

I'm waiting also. The more you talk about the stripes, the more I think I might want to get a set to match my bonnet. When I first saw the boot stripes, I didn't like them very much but they seem to be growing on me.

Pics, please!

 

It's DONE!!