Have to Replace Hood Decal - Options/Opinions?

[swoop1156]

I'm getting my car fully PPF'd/Ceramic and they're pulling off the hood stripe since it cannot be PPF'd (Race Red car) so I am looking at the Autodesign stripes. Firstly, I don't think I know which one would match the factory stripe on the hood, Black Gloss / Silver Gloss / Anthracite Matte or the Black Gloss / Silver Gloss / Black Matte though I am thinking it's the Black Matte one.

Since it's getting pulled off and removed, I could do anything at this point. Considered going with the Black Gloss / Blue Gloss / Black Matte, though that wouldn't match the side of the car which will remain factory with the white accent. Probably doesn't matter, but I'd know it's different. I also suppose I could just not do a hood decal, however, I think I'd like it back on there.

Also considered is doing just the hood on top of the PPF, or continuing it all the way on the roof and decklid. I think I've only seen the one FJG with the roof and deck done which looks great - just can't decide if it would be for me. I also have the option to cover the roof in black matte material completely which I'm thinking about...

Lemme hear what you all think! Thanks in advance! My car might not be Local Motors and designed by the Internet, but hey, we can pretend.

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[Rev68]

I'd push back on taking off the decals for PPF. Mine has full PPF (STEK) and initially my installer talked about removing the decals (and badges), but after some research (plenty of videos on youtube), we agreed to leave them on and there are absolutely zero issues.

 

[swoop1156]

I'd push back on taking off the decals for PPF. Mine has full PPF (STEK) and initially my installer talked about removing the decals (and badges), but after some research (plenty of videos on youtube), we agreed to leave them on and there are absolutely zero issues.

I think looking at your avatar you have the FJG? That's the single color and decal that can be covered with PPF. There's an extensive thread on that singular topic (I'll link it when I find it) that makes it abundantly clear that any color other than Fighter Jet Gray, the decal cannot be covered with good results. Hence the removal and reapplication.

 

[cerbomark]

if you continue on roof and decklid then I d consider removing the side stripes. too busy looking with all those stripes? Decisions , decisions.

 

[adeuel]

I'd push back on taking off the decals for PPF. Mine has full PPF (STEK) and initially my installer talked about removing the decals (and badges), but after some research (plenty of videos on youtube), we agreed to leave them on and there are absolutely zero issues.

Ditto.

Had the full hood done and they matched the edge of the ppf up perfectly to the decal.

 

[swoop1156]

if you continue on roof and decklid then I d consider removing the side stripes. too busy looking with all those stripes? Decisions , decisions.

I think it's broken up nicely from the hood/roof/decklid from the doors. Ford has historically offered all of them on various packages and to be honest, the racing stripes aren't my favorite and I prefer the side stripes only - though the Mach 1 kinda is a thing with the hood decal. You're right - decisions, decisions. I guess taking off later is easier than having it put on in the first place, but peeling off a decal off of PPF? Good point.

Had the full hood done and they matched the edge of the ppf up perfectly to the decal.

This seems to be the general consensus on it. The shop said they're more than happy to trim the PPF around the decal, I was just hoping for complete coverage.

 

[adeuel]

The decal is basically ppf, no? lol

 

[swoop1156]

The decal is basically ppf, no? lol

Well, depending on how you think about it, but no. There's a reason actual PPF film is much more expensive and better than a simple vinyl treatment.

 

[murick]

I think looking at your avatar you have the FJG? That's the single color and decal that can be covered with PPF. There's an extensive thread on that singular topic (I'll link it when I find it) that makes it abundantly clear that any color other than Fighter Jet Gray, the decal cannot be covered with good results. Hence the removal and reapplication.

This is correct (I have fully wrapped FJG). On the other hand, if you plan to pull the OEM decals and use the ones from autodesign, you might want to check with them first, if their decals could be wrapped or not.

I believe that having the decal wrapped is definitely an advantage for both the maintenance and longevity because PPF does all the protection and it has 10+ years minimum with the current offerings.

 

[MiamiGT350]

My car is ceramic / PPF... My stripe was not removed. I would push back.

 

[swoop1156]

This is correct (I have fully wrapped FJG). On the other hand, if you plan to pull the OEM decals and use the ones from autodesign, you might want to check with them first, if their decals could be wrapped or not.

The decal would be applied on top of the PPF, not underneath.

My car is ceramic / PPF... My stripe was not removed. I would push back.

Man I know, I know! I am still searching for the thread where people have done exactly this and it has gone horribly wrong with every stripe aside from the specific FJG. It's something to do with the matte/rough texture of the hood decal on the Mach that is present on every other color aside from FJG.

 

[murick]

The decal would be applied on top of the PPF, not underneath.

Why would you do that? Modern PPF have self-healing quality (basically can equalize itself over the impact or scratch as long as it did not penetrate the PPF), which you will lose with decal on top. Some PPFs have also hydrophobic layer, which you will lose as well.

 

[Coastal-Mach]

Like others, I had my PPF go right to the edge of the hood sticker. The whole car was then ceramic coated including the sticker, no paint protection but easy cleaning. I also did 1 foot up the roof line in PPF, with black you need all the help you can get.

 

[swoop1156]

Why would you do that? Modern PPF have self-healing quality (basically can equalize itself over the impact or scratch as long as it did not penetrate the PPF), which you will lose with decal on top. Some PPFs have also hydrophobic layer, which you will lose as well.

Understood. I get all the properties of the PPF and the reason that most get it. This is my first time with PPF on any vehicle, and I am also listening to the recommendation of the shop at the same time as doing my own research. They are good with trimming around the decal, though say they prefer and have done many with removal and reapplication of any decals. Just their preferred method, I suppose.

I made this post for exactly this point, to see what most have done, what works, what hasn't, and go from there.

Like others, I had my PPF go right to the edge of the hood sticker. The whole car was then ceramic coated including the sticker, no paint protection but easy cleaning. I also did 1 foot up the roof line in PPF, with black you need all the help you can get.

I don't plan on doing the roof, but the one-foot-up idea ain't bad!

 

[Fishtales]

If I had to change the hood stripe, I’d just take it off and leave the side stripes on.

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