I just got my diy bonnet stripes in the mail today and I just wanted to get some tips from people that have put them on before. The intructions call for using a window squeegy which I have, but am concerned that it will scratch the bonnet. Also, I was thinking of using tape to mark off measuread areas, the tape I would use would be acid free artist tape. Also, should I wax before I put on the stripes or after? What is a good product to clean the imbedded debris from the bonnet w/out scratching the clearcoat?

Thanx

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<img src="http://www.retrogradeattire.com/deep...nner.jpg" alt="Beepers" border="0">

 

Not that I've done this myself (maybe Matt can comment), but...

Again, I caution you I have not done this installation and am only suggesting a method which seems logical to me.

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cranes folded: 670
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YahooIM: denvermini

 

Do you really want to put the stripes on over wax?
That sounds a bit risky to me. But then again, I let professionals install mine!

 

>>Do you really want to put the stripes on over wax?
>>That sounds a bit risky to me. But then again, I let professionals install mine!

That is why I am a bit confused about the waxing, since it seems like the stripes won't stick w/ a coat of wax between the surface of the car and the vinyl. On the other hand the wax could act as a protectant between the cars paint and the adhesive of the vinyl..? I just don't know really

 

Do your stripes have installation tape on the top or only a backing?

Clean the surface with dawn dish detergent.

Make sure the vinyl is warm. Makes life easier.

--
Cheese

 

You will want to prep the surface by cleaning it with Isopropal or Denatured Alcohol. Use either one of these with a 50/50 water mix - just spray on and whipe off. You do not want any wax on the area you are applying stripes.

Use the soap mixture mentioned earlier when applying the stripes. For basic stripes an average sign shop or tint place will do the install in about 20 minutes and charge about $30 - this is the safe way to go.

I have a full page instruction sheet I can send you via e-mail if you like.

matt@cooperflags.com

 

>>Clean the surface with dawn dish detergent.

EEK! Dish washer detergent (even liquid) has super fine abrasives in it! They are really fine and will dull your finish. My friends sister did this to a black car several times and it looked like h*ll. Dish detergent is for dishes.

 

simple green cuts grease and is not abrasive.

 

>>
>>>>Clean the surface with dawn dish detergent.
>>
>>EEK! Dish washer detergent (even liquid) has super fine abrasives in it! They are really fine and will dull your finish. My friends sister did this to a black car several times and it looked like h*ll. Dish detergent is for dishes.
>>

Umm. No. I'm not recommending washing a car regularly with Dawn, only removing wax. Dawn is the best/easiest way to remove wax from a car. If your sister's friend washes her car with dawn, shes probably not using 100% cotton towels either which is the real reason her black paint is ruined. I know all about it, being I ruined a black car myself :smile:

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Cheese

 

I took the plunge, me and my boyfriend applied the bonnet stripes last night in my garage.. heheh. Took us 2 freakin hours to finish :smile:




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<img src="http://www.retrogradeattire.com/deep...nner.jpg" alt="Beepers" border="0">

 

Nice Job, digitalpussi! ... i really like the front pic that shows the 'dog-leg' - nice variation ... Beepers is lookin' good!

 

>>Nice Job, digitalpussi! ... i really like the front pic that shows the 'dog-leg' - nice variation ... Beepers is lookin' good!

Thank you

 

yeah, very nicely done. I really like hot with the Cooper hood being a little flatter, there are some more possibilities for stripe creativity in terms of the routing.

Cool

 

I used the following two sites for installing my stripes:

DIY

and

Speed Graphics and download the PDF file.