Need a Favor (Decklid Picture)

[AngelDeath]

Greets all,

I Hate having to post this as I tried asking a couple of people through DM but being theirs are different (Painted) than mine, and doing search on google didnt get me what I needed I had to create this post, so my apologies.

Can anyone or even a few post pictures of their stripes (Vinyl not painted) of their back deck lid (Must be OEM not aftermarket) like mine that I have attached?

The reason for the ask is Ford replaced my decklid stripes and the left stripe at the bottom keeps bubbling up and the 3rd party company they used said if he trimmed it a bit it would stop (I dont think so) but I wanted to make sure if the original factory stripes (the way they came from ford) is like mine in the picture or are they actually slightly shorter/higher up. I had the stripes replaced 3 years ago when I had ford put the stripes on after I installed the CFTP Wing but didnt have an issue, but after it fading now I do.

Thanks in advance.

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[kilobravo]

Mike: Of all the "stripes" on S550 photos (and in person,) that I've seen nearly all have a paint gap at the end. Some more than others but I can't recall ever seeing a set that went edge to edge.

AND, it's those "edges" that are the problem with vinyl. The idea to trim them has merit but only because the trim removes the contaminated portion of the vinyl allowing the non-contaminated adhesive to "stick."

Unfortunately, that's usually only a temporary fix because the new edge will, in all likelihood, get contaminated as well and you wind up with the same problem BUT, shorter stripes.

I know it's bugging you as it would me and I've dealt with the problem on both my truck and the wife's film so I know where you are. The vinyl companies (PPF and "decal" outfits,) have improved the adhesives a good bit since film became a thing but, Mother Nature's "dirt" is a never-ending problem with vinyl unfortunately.

The "glue pens" can help with a stubborn edge..a little bit and if you don't have one, I suggest picking one up.

Now, regarding the "fading" that you mentioned, I grabbed your image and zoomed in and I'm not sure of what I'm seeing. To wit, this portion...

​

Has the vinyl deteriorated in those two areas or, is that a reflection from below?

 

[AngelDeath]

Mike: Of all the "stripes" on S550 photos (and in person,) that I've seen nearly all have a paint gap at the end. Some more than others but I can't recall ever seeing a set that went edge to edge.

AND, it's those "edges" that are the problem with vinyl. The idea to trim them has merit but only because the trim removes the contaminated portion of the vinyl allowing the non-contaminated adhesive to "stick."

Unfortunately, that's usually only a temporary fix because the new edge will, in all likelihood, get contaminated as well and you wind up with the same problem BUT, shorter stripes.

I know it's bugging you as it would me and I've dealt with the problem on both my truck and the wife's film so I know where you are. The vinyl companies (PPF and "decal" outfits,) have improved the adhesives a good bit since film became a thing but, Mother Nature's "dirt" is a never-ending problem with vinyl unfortunately.

The "glue pens" can help with a stubborn edge..a little bit and if you don't have one, I suggest picking one up.

Now, regarding the "fading" that you mentioned, I grabbed your image and zoomed in and I'm not sure of what I'm seeing. To wit, this portion...

​

Has the vinyl deteriorated in those two areas or, is that a reflection from below?

Thats what I am trying to to know for sure, Being these are original OEM Vinyl coming from Ford themselves I wanted to make sure they are put on right thats why I wanted to make sure the new set looks like OEM. Because the stripes before I didnt take notice on how they were set (who knew to take note of that)

To answer your question, these were stripes that got replaced this march (2024) because the prior vinyl was fading, so they hired a 3rd party company (which I didnt like from the onset for other reasons) and they put on the new stripes which were the 4 pieces on the engine hood and the rear decklid (which now have to be replaced again since the screwed it up). The locations your looking at (circled) is where they used a heat gun to try and tamp down the bubbled up spots, its been bubbled up since they put it on and this picture was taken 10 mins after he was done with a heat gun and the left corner also bubbles up but he didnt keep the heat gun on there as long, so in short they screwed up the new set which has to be replaced yet again, so before I have it done thats why I wanted to make sure to know where the black stripes should end so that with the new company if they dont know I can show them a picture of how it suppose to look.

Had the prior stripes not have faded I wouldn't have this problem cause the faded ones had no peeling issue. My dealership has told me to find a new company/person to put on the stripes and they will foot the bill and order the vinyl from Ford to have it done correctly by anyone I pick as they only have the company that screwed up mine.

 

[MAGS1]

Thats what I am trying to to know for sure, Being these are original OEM Vinyl coming from Ford themselves I wanted to make sure they are put on right thats why I wanted to make sure the new set looks like OEM. Because the stripes before I didnt take notice on how they were set (who knew to take note of that)

To answer your question, these were stripes that got replaced this march (2024) because the prior vinyl was fading, so they hired a 3rd party company (which I didnt like from the onset for other reasons) and they put on the new stripes which were the 4 pieces on the engine hood and the rear decklid (which now have to be replaced again since the screwed it up). The locations your looking at (circled) is where they used a heat gun to try and tamp down the bubbled up spots, its been bubbled up since they put it on and this picture was taken 10 mins after he was done with a heat gun and the left corner also bubbles up but he didnt keep the heat gun on there as long, so in short they screwed up the new set which has to be replaced yet again, so before I have it done thats why I wanted to make sure to know where the black stripes should end so that with the new company if they dont know I can show them a picture of how it suppose to look.

Had the prior stripes not have faded I wouldn't have this problem cause the faded ones had no peeling issue. My dealership has told me to find a new company/person to put on the stripes and they will foot the bill and order the vinyl from Ford to have it done correctly by anyone I pick as they only have the company that screwed up mine.

Take a scroll through the pictures of this one, I think it may help you in your quest. Original vinyl stripes on a Heritage Edition GT500. Maybe KB can work his photo magic and get some zoomed in shots for you (I’m not good with that stuff at all)

https://www.diamondmotorworks.com/2022-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500-heritage-edition-c-4697/

 

[AngelDeath]

Take a scroll through the pictures of this one, I think it may help you in your quest. Original vinyl stripes on a Heritage Edition GT500. Maybe KB can work his photo magic and get some zoomed in shots for you (I’m not good with that stuff at all)

https://www.diamondmotorworks.com/2022-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500-heritage-edition-c-4697/

Thanks but i dont think the angle is going to show what I need to see as I went through the pictures and the lid is closed, on my picture I attached I took it with the lid open to see better the end and where it stopped.

*EDIT*

Actually there is one picture there that did work and based on the picture (KB if you can verify) my stripe setup is correct as the 1 picture on your link seems to show it goes to the edge like mine.

 

[MiamiGT350]

The factory stripes on the deck lid are slightly shorter and do not run to the edge of the trunk. Some after-market companies offer them full-length.

In your photo, it looks to me to be about a mm or two shorter, but it's not something that I would spot walking around your car as an issue. This is one of those things that bothers you.

Edit: I am confident about this. We replaced my buddy's spoiler and ended up accidentally pulling off some of his stripe. We ordered an OEM, from-Ford, replacement that was several hundred dollars. It starts slightly away from the edge at the window, and stops a few millimeters short of the bottom edge of the deck lid. We used tape to mark where the stripe was before we removed it, and then aligned the new one to the edges.

 

[MAGS1]

Thanks but i dont think the angle is going to show what I need to see as I went through the pictures and the lid is closed, on my picture I attached I took it with the lid open to see better the end and where it stopped.

Got it. I had an aftermarket stripe kit on my 2016 that mimicked the GT350R stripes. There was about a 1/8” gap, but it was an aftermarket kit so not OEM like you’re looking for. Probably pretty close to OEM spec but I understand if you want to be more precise with the OEM look. I unfortunately don’t have any pics with the trunk open and have since sold the car.

I do agree with KB, I don’t think any of the OEM stripes go to the edge of the decklid panel. I would be curious if they’re all installed identically with the same gap (they should be since they’re all cut the exact same), but this is Ford QC we’re talking about. Probably somewhere in the 1/16”-1/8” gap is my guess for OEM spec.

 

[MiamiGT350]

Here is an GT500 w/ OEM stripe:

 

[AngelDeath]

The factory stripes on the deck lid are slightly shorter and do not run to the edge of the trunk. Some after-market companies offer them full-length.

In your photo, it looks to me to be about a mm or two shorter, but it's not something that I would spot walking around your car as an issue. This is one of those things that bothers you.

Edit: I am confident about this. We replaced my buddy's spoiler and ended up accidentally pulling off some of his stripe. We ordered an OEM, from-Ford, replacement that was several hundred dollars. It starts slightly away from the edge at the window, and stops a few millimeters short of the bottom edge of the deck lid. We used tape to mark where the stripe was before we removed it, and then aligned the new one to the edges.

My issue is these stripes are screwed up, and the stripes came from Ford directly which the 3rd party replaced, but since they screwed it up the dealer is going to get me new stripes to put on with a company I choose, so before I put them on all I am trying to do is know exactly where they are suppose to end on the end by the trunk camera. Mags1 link has a heritage that seems to show my stripes ending in the same spot.

Got it. I had an aftermarket stripe kit on my 2016 that mimicked the GT350R stripes. There was about a 1/8” gap, but it was an aftermarket kit so not OEM like you’re looking for. Probably pretty close to OEM spec but I understand if you want to be more precise with the OEM look. I unfortunately don’t have any pics with the trunk open and have since sold the car.

I do agree with KB, I don’t think any of the OEM stripes go to the edge of the decklid panel. I would be curious if they’re all installed identically with the same gap (they should be since they’re all cut the exact same), but this is Ford QC we’re talking about. Probably somewhere in the 1/16”-1/8” gap is my guess for OEM spec.

Well like I said in my edited reply there is one picture that does seem to show that my stripes end in the same location as the heritage picture.

 

[AngelDeath]

Here is an GT500 w/ OEM stripe:

This seems to show at least to me that my stripes may be right and no cutting is needed it seems, even though from this angle of the shot it seems the left is closer to the end of the paint than the right side is. So this seems to validate my thought that no cutting is needed of the stripes.

 

[kilobravo]

My dealership has told me to find a new company/person to put on the stripes and they will foot the bill and order the vinyl from Ford to have it done correctly by anyone I pick as they only have the company that screwed up mine.

First off, Mike, I'm glad the dealer is doing you a solid (as they SHOULD, of course!)

The factory stripes on the deck lid are slightly shorter and do not run to the edge of the trunk. Some after-market companies offer them full-length.

I don’t think any of the OEM stripes go to the edge of the decklid panel.

Yep, the OEM stripes are not cut to length and will not be edge to edge.

We ordered an OEM, from-Ford, replacement that was several hundred dollars.

Yep2, they're mighty proud of their vinyl. And oh BTW, Ford (or any of the OEM's,) do not allow their vinyl suppliers to sell to the public. You have to get them from Ford and, pay the ransom.

(KB if you can verify)

Well, I'm not sure if this will help, Mike but I went through a whole bunch of rear end photos and all the OEM-applied stripes look like these. The bottom right photo of painted stripes shows that Penske did make them edge to edge.

 

[AngelDeath]

First off, Mike, I'm glad the dealer is doing you a solid (as they SHOULD, of course!)



Yep, the OEM stripes are not cut to length and will not be edge to edge.


Yep2, they're mighty proud of their vinyl. And oh BTW, Ford (or any of the OEM's,) do not allow their vinyl suppliers to sell to the public. You have to get them from Ford and, pay the ransom.


Well, I'm not sure if this will help, Mike but I went through a whole bunch of rear end photos and all the OEM-applied stripes look like these. The bottom right photo of painted stripes shows that Penske did make them edge to edge.

Thanks KB, and yes Painted more than likely is painted all the way around the behind the decklid panel, it would make more sense, why stop painting at the decklid panel when during painting its not there anyhow.

But looking at all these pictures shows the end of the vinyl comes very close to the top of the decklid panel and isnt straight cut, which validates my thought even further with all these shots you put KB.

 

[kilobravo]

But looking at all these pictures shows the end of the vinyl comes very close to the top of the decklid panel and isnt straight cut, which validates my thought even further with all these shots you put KB.

Yep, that's what I was trying to point out, Mike and I'm sure the OEM's do this to save time. Trying to get a narrow edge of adhesive to stick to the vehicle while wrapping an edge is a tedious process, and me thinks the stop watchers decided to cut the vinyl slightly shorter or narrower to speed up the line.

Glad the image was helpful.

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