stripes
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Taxme, Ohio
I've installed vinyl adhesive stripes a few times. It wasn't hard. You need to know a few things and have a few specific tools. Placing stripes over contoured surfaces is by far the hardest part of it. Across a flat hood, roof, deck or door is straight forward but you need markers to keep you in the right place and aligned. You basically float the vinyl in place and squeegee out the under lying solution. I use a few drops of dawn non detergent dish washing soap in distilled water. Owning a heat gun is a great help.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Taxme, Ohio
I didn't answer you regarding how long it takes and of course that depends on how fast you work, what problems you might face and how well prepared you are before applying the vinyl. Assuming you are going to put down twin stripes from the bottom of the fascia, over the hood and roof and then over the wing and down the rear bumper cover - accompanying pin stripes through the center and along the outside of the broad stripe; you will need several hours. In other words, make it project for at least one half of the day.
Applying vinyl stripes can be frustrating. The more you do it the easier it gets. There are enough tricks to the trade to make you want someone with experience to do the whole job. A lot can go wrong if you don't know what can go wrong and how to undo mistakes.
Applying vinyl stripes can be frustrating. The more you do it the easier it gets. There are enough tricks to the trade to make you want someone with experience to do the whole job. A lot can go wrong if you don't know what can go wrong and how to undo mistakes.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem, PA
Paint is great if done right. Vinyl is the same way, it'll look great if done right. Vinyl is alot cheaper then paint. It's also easier to work with if you take your time. I did the hockey stripes on mine and they came out great. Nice thing with vinyl is if you don't like them, all you have to do take them off. No harm done. Look on Ebay and do a Google search for camaro ss stripes. There are alot out there, you just have to look
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i put my stripes on in 3 or 4 hours.all I used was a tape measure to keep me strait and a bondo squeegy to work the air bubbles out.just use a littlw bit of soapy water on the area you are placing them so you can move them exactly where you want them.I have to say that painting them on is the way to go.I recently had that done and it looks much better.
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I would not do vinyl. i did that to my s-10 extreme and two years later they got so coroded that i could not even peel them off in one piece. I ended up using all sorts of solvents and peeling little pieces at a time trying to take them off. then when you finally take them off you can see the difference in the paint, so you have to put the new ones directly on top, which is easier said than done.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Taxme, Ohio
I would not do vinyl. i did that to my s-10 extreme and two years later they got so coroded that i could not even peel them off in one piece. I ended up using all sorts of solvents and peeling little pieces at a time trying to take them off. then when you finally take them off you can see the difference in the paint, so you have to put the new ones directly on top, which is easier said than done.
Then it's 
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
I had the same first experience and ended up pulling the cracking vinyl off as little pieces. It took hours to do. When I pulled the stripes from the top of the car I used a heat gun which makes all the difference in the world. Warmed vinyl doesn't break apart when it comes off and the glue tends to stay with the vinyl instead of the paint.
I agree. I initially paid to have my stripes put on. The car sat in the sun and after one year the vinyl was curling at the edges. The vinyl that wasn't in direct sunlight looked new. I ordered vinyl from A Plus Performance and cut it myself. It's been on the car for two years and looks like the day I put it on. The car is sheltered now so I don't know how it would have fared out in the weather. The car gets a lot of looks and some compliments. There are always the people who don't like stripes - especially vinyl stripes and they have to let me know it. Then it's
I agree. I initially paid to have my stripes put on. The car sat in the sun and after one year the vinyl was curling at the edges. The vinyl that wasn't in direct sunlight looked new. I ordered vinyl from A Plus Performance and cut it myself. It's been on the car for two years and looks like the day I put it on. The car is sheltered now so I don't know how it would have fared out in the weather. The car gets a lot of looks and some compliments. There are always the people who don't like stripes - especially vinyl stripes and they have to let me know it.
Then it's 