mako22

iTrader: (2)

Has anyone had any luck installing the "Manta" style decal sold on 3rdgendecals.com that is applied to the ss hood scoop? I like the way it looks but the site warns that it is really difficult to install without bubbles/creases. Don't want to dump $100 on something I'm going to end up crumpling up in a rage and throwing out after trying to install for 3 hrs

here's the kit I'm talking about:
http://www.3rdgendecals.com/Manta.htm

01pewter2001z28

iTrader: (2)

Good luck took about 2 hours to do the hood scoop decal w/ 2 people and we still had
bubbles & creases (we got the bubbles) but 2 creases on both sides.

So a few weeks back I had the hood scoop painted.

LS1Baron

Painting is ALWAYS better than decals. Decals always seem to get removed after a while anyway. If you don't remove them, nature does it for you. Save the time. Paint the hood.

bluestreak98

iTrader: (21)

its a HUGE pain to do on your own.

02CamaroZ28

Go get it painted.

Mark

blaSSt

iTrader: (7)

I bought the stickers. Had two different pros try. Both ended up with creases. Heed the warnings.

Then I had mine painted on too.

'02 SLP#686

iTrader: (1)

Well... I bought the "NEW MANTA" kit and installed it myself in about 45 minutes and got the on the first try (he gives you two sets). I have experience with decals though, but it is MUCH easier than the "MANTA" kit for sure.

Jimm

Well, a friend and I did the original Manta kit last weekend. True to Jay's word, it was a PITA to put on. We actually did better on the hood than we did on the spoiler and decklid. For the hood, it looks pretty good except for one wrinkle on the left side. The decklid we kind of slaughtered, and the spoiler wasn't too bad. The quality and color of them were outstanding. It took me a very long time (because I'm kind of **** that way) to pick the exact color I wanted. The design of the decals was fine, it's the nature of the curves of our cars and the way the vinyl wants to lay on it that makes it extremely difficult to install. I highly suggest having two or possibly more people help you. Taking the hood off was an immense help in the ease of installation. I'm looking into getting it painted now too though. Here are some pics of the install.

mako22

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info - nice choice on the color! would love to see more pics of your hood on the car btw! Just wanted to say also I think 3rdGenDecals is great, never questioned the quality of their work - I know this is just a tough install because of the curves of the car. I got my hockey stix through 3rdgen and they were perfect....

cheez22

How much is it for a body shop to paint the hood scoop?

Jimm

Well, I went to a body shop yesterday for an estimate. To do it RIGHT, I got an estimate of $1000. That's for the hood, decklid, and spoiler.

Wildman

I have been through 4 "NEW" hood scoop decals. They are top quality, and if you were going to do the hood decal, I would refer him to you.

That being said, I would not even try to attempt it again. I will have it painted next time. I kid you not... I tried for 10 hours total on all 4, but it would eventually get a crease in it. Mind you, I was trying to go around my Anniversary stripes, so that compounded the problem.

My vote, get it painted.

Good luck, Paul

Scotty-Z

iTrader: (5)

I was going to go the vinyl route, but I heard stories like this and decided to have it painted on. A painter in my local car club is going to re-paint my entire hood and do my scoop black for only $200.

SSactionLs1

can you apply it like tint? just cover the scoop in water then you can move it around, when its all set right just let it dry.

01pewter2001z28

iTrader: (2)

Had mine done for $550 painted with 4 coats of clear on top of the hood so you cannot feal the hood scoop decal layer.

Teri9672

that is how you HAVE to do it, but it doesn't help much. It's the curves in the scoop that mess you up. If the hood was flat it would be a breeze.

I tried to help BlaSSt put his decals on and it was a PITA. My hubby ended up painting them on. Still trying to talk him into painting stripes on my SS

Steve1969LS1

iTrader: (1)

That link.. thats MY stripe!! (the first pic)..

http://www.z069.us/00/Exterior/hood_stripe.JPG

You could always just have it painted on.. sorta permanent but a nice option.. You should do the matching rear stripe, it really ballances out the car and gives more of a "flow" to the design..