I just ordered a Union Jack roof graphic and was wondering what I should expect to pay for the install (no sunroof). Should I go to a tint shop or a vinyl shop and is it too difficult to DIY. Any instructions.

Thanks

 

Howdy. I did my Union Jack myself because the dealer wanted to drop the headliner in the car to be able to remove the antenna. It did not take me long. I seem to recall it was somewhere between an Hour or Two. I went very slowly, knowing a mistake might be hard to recover from. My only Concern, since I did not remove the antenna, I had to cut around it, and I could have done a tighter job. See my Gallery for photos. I found the instructions on the motoringfile website.

 

thanks rockridge. The antenna seems like a PITA to remove so I'll probably just cut around it like you did. I've done a few small vinyl installs, do you think I should try doing it myself, were you already experienced with installing vinyl?

 

With no sunroof, yeah, I think that's a doable job. Although cutting round the antenna and cutting the edges/tucking them into the gutter trim is a bit tedious and tricky.

If you have a pro do it, you should not pay more than about $100 for that job. I paid $125 for a full roof graphic WITH a sunroof. And I live in one of the most expensive areas in the country.

 

if you have someone install it, get photos of previous vinyl work and references if possible. Since you are bringing in your own vinyl, there's not much chance they'll replace it if the install goes bad, so you want someone good!

 

I had no experience installing vinyl, but a did stay at a Holiday Inn Express

I would give it a shot, follow the directions and take your time. If you install the Mini OEM kit it comes in 5 pieces. Start with the cross, and make sure you have aligned it evenly across the car, cut the area out around the antenna, and lock it in place. adding the other 4 pieces was easy.

Good Luck!

 

I thought the UJ roof graphic was a single piece.

Well, that does look easy to install then ! And since it doesn't come to the edge of the roof, no cutting and tucking.

The downside is, there's about 60 linear feet of edges for wax and polish to get stuck. And taking a PC buffer to it would be a bear.

 

I have been using Hydro and Monster Fluffy's to protect it since I installed it. I don't see any wax buildup on the edges, but it could be my 46 year old eyes...

 

How about your main wax... how many coats of Epic, or some other wax, on your roof ?

 

When I first installed it, I polled this forum for what I should use to cover the roof and Decal. One of the responses was that I should try just using Hydro because Epic or may be too harsh for the decal. I liked the approach, so I apply a coat of Hydro on the Roof after I have dried it with a waffle weave. I use Epic and Banana Gloss on the rest of the car (in addition to hydro). It has been 18 months that I have had the graphic, and roof and graphic look great.

 

If you use Hydro religiously, i.e. every time you wash the car (which is every week or two, right ? RIGHT ?? ) then that's fine.

On my full roof graphic, I protect it just like my paint and use Epic twice a year, Banana Gloss every two months or more often, and Hydro every other wash.

As long as the rain is beading up like crazy, then you probably have enough protection. Carry on.

 

While I'm not Ken, I must say, I do use it religiously after each wash.