robb
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2014
- Threads
- 22
- Messages
- 927
- Reaction score
- 109
- Location
- Clearwater Florida
- First Name
- Rob
- Vehicle(s)
- 2015 GT w/PP
- Thread starter
- #1
This was my first time trying to install stripes. These are 10.5 inch 3M dark red stripes. I did a 2 inch gap instead of the 1 inch gap the kit was designed for. This forced me to customize the bumper pieces. Save yourself some hassle and just do a 1 inch gap if you use the 10.5 inch stripes.
Here's what I learned:
- It's not easy, but if you take your time it's not impossible to have a decent result.
- Flat surfaces are fairly easy once you get the hang of it.
- Bumpers are a real pain. I did not use a hair dryer but probably should have to make the material mold better around the bumper bends.
- Finding the center of the car is hard. Measure, then eyeball it by temporarily taping down the pieces. You can get them close enough by doing this.
- I screwed up the front bumper piece so I custom made them out of the extra pieces in the kit. They don't wrap around the front bumper but sure were easier to put on.
- Only use an exacto knife to cut. This allows you to get your hand out of the way so you can see your cuts more accurately.
- I did some by wet install and some by dry install. Wet install gives you wiggle room and the bubbles will dry out and lay down after a couple weeks in the sun. With the dry install some bubbles don't come out, but some will in time with the sun. Just do a wet install.
- Some kits you can't get the paperback wet, so when doing a center tape method install, dry squeegee a couple inches, then spray the water for the rest of that side squeegee install. This keeps water away from the paperback. I know BigWorm stripes allow you to get the paperback wet so no worries there.
- When I do this again, and I probably will, I'll use the 8 inch or 9 inch stripes (if available) and possibly do a 1.5 inch gap. I'll lay it all out and decide when I see the narrower stripes temporarily on the car.
- I'm glad I tried this myself and learned how to do it. I had to take 2 week break before finishing it but thinking about it gave me the courage to finish.
- Took me about 10 hours total work. If you have someone helping it would take less time measuring for center of car.
- Dealer wanted about $800 to do the job including kit, but I saw one a dealer did and the roof stripe was crooked. I know my next attempt will be damn near perfect. This one is not horrible.
Here's what I learned:
- It's not easy, but if you take your time it's not impossible to have a decent result.
- Flat surfaces are fairly easy once you get the hang of it.
- Bumpers are a real pain. I did not use a hair dryer but probably should have to make the material mold better around the bumper bends.
- Finding the center of the car is hard. Measure, then eyeball it by temporarily taping down the pieces. You can get them close enough by doing this.
- I screwed up the front bumper piece so I custom made them out of the extra pieces in the kit. They don't wrap around the front bumper but sure were easier to put on.
- Only use an exacto knife to cut. This allows you to get your hand out of the way so you can see your cuts more accurately.
- I did some by wet install and some by dry install. Wet install gives you wiggle room and the bubbles will dry out and lay down after a couple weeks in the sun. With the dry install some bubbles don't come out, but some will in time with the sun. Just do a wet install.
- Some kits you can't get the paperback wet, so when doing a center tape method install, dry squeegee a couple inches, then spray the water for the rest of that side squeegee install. This keeps water away from the paperback. I know BigWorm stripes allow you to get the paperback wet so no worries there.
- When I do this again, and I probably will, I'll use the 8 inch or 9 inch stripes (if available) and possibly do a 1.5 inch gap. I'll lay it all out and decide when I see the narrower stripes temporarily on the car.
- I'm glad I tried this myself and learned how to do it. I had to take 2 week break before finishing it but thinking about it gave me the courage to finish.
- Took me about 10 hours total work. If you have someone helping it would take less time measuring for center of car.
- Dealer wanted about $800 to do the job including kit, but I saw one a dealer did and the roof stripe was crooked. I know my next attempt will be damn near perfect. This one is not horrible.
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