How-To: Apply Vinyl Decals/Stripes - SRT Forums

arn4726 · 06-06-2008, 07:29 PM

HERE ARE THE MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED: a buddy male or female, hair dryer (i personally think this is better than a heat gun, it heats up slower and you can control the heat much better) Rapidtac and or spray bottle with soapy water (this right here is what makes or breaks your patience) also some smoothing tools for the vinyl a hard plastic one and a hard foam one its covered in a vinyl material so you do not tear the vinyl. and all sorts of razor blades... i used retractable razorblades, normal razorblades, and the best tool was my exacto knife kit it has multiple blades and the sharp pointy one works well to pop the bubbles.

Rapid Tac Inc. Makers of Adhesive Remover, Surface Prep Cleaners and Application Fluids for Cut Vinyl Graphics and Films or use soapy water in a spray bottle like stated above

i started off by measuring the roof of where i wanted the stripes and went from there... the top stripes are easy. No curves or concaves to contour the vinyl to. peel the vinyl off the sheet and slowly spray the rapidtac or soapy water on the back of it so it doesnt stick to itself. lay down the vinyl and position it to the straightest spot (i measured and measured again then slowly squeegy the stripes once positioned. use the felt one so you dont scratch the vinyl. best way if you have a sunroof like my self tuck the vinyl into the groove and let it settle with the curing part.

next i went to the trunk... this is the most difficult by far... i reccommend starting off by removing the 3rd brake light and then closing the trunk but not locking it. spray the vinyl again with the rapidtac and lay it over the trunk. line it up and squeegy away the water near the 3rd brake light and heat near the contours to stretch it to form... remember: heating slowly is the key to stretching without tearing or leaving stretch marks in the vinyl. also heat will shrink the vinyl so DO NOT OVERHEAT! move from the 3rd brake light up and squeegy. then move downwards to the bottom of the bumper. it should look like this once completed.

the fron is a lil bit different but its actually easier to do the front and hood. the hood is simple... line the vinyl up by spraying once again with the rapidtac and laying the vinyl down. squeegy the water out from the windshiled downwards keeping it straight on the outside edges... once you get the to hood scoop (already removed) start to heat the vinyl slowly and have a buddy start to smooth out the vinyl into the curves and it will start to stay down. the best tip for this here is when you get little bubbles in the vinyl get yourself a pin or a exacto knife and poke little holes straight in to let the air/water out...

the bumper isnt bad at all either... for the nostril make sure you lay the vinyl over the flat parts first and then heat and stretch... patience is a virtue when it comes to this task... the rest is history... BIG tip for clean looking stripes is to cut a little excess then fold it over... if you do this it will look like they're painted on. and heres the pics...

Hope this helps you guys i have yet to see anyone make a thread like this and i was getting alot of questions on it so enjoy!

bravopl · 08-30-2009, 07:32 PM

where did you get this srt4 badge?

conroy9940 · 08-30-2009, 07:55 PM

it is a caliber srt4 badge.. you can usually find them on ebay.

bravopl · 08-31-2009, 03:31 PM

I got mine stripes sitting in the basement for about 6 months now. I tried to put them on when i got them but i f.... up. Hood stripe wasn't going straight down i got pissed and i ripped that shit. Now i am looking at your photo and i think i will give it one more shot, just gotta get front stripes first lol.

my_srt_8u · 08-31-2009, 05:13 PM

Where did you purchase your vinyl. Also was it just a normal role of stripes or are they pre cut and formed. I was looking at this set Custom Vinyl Graphics Dodge SRT-4 Decals & Graphics, Dodge Charger Decals and Graphics Ford Mustang Graphics, Stripes, Decals not sure if anyone has had luck with these over bulk vinyl stripes.

bravopl · 09-01-2009, 03:30 PM

I got mine off the ebay-they sell precut sets but if you want to make your own width go to edecals.com they got everything you need.

MikeRT4 · 09-01-2009, 03:38 PM

that looks SOOOOOOOOOOO good dude, nice job.

minzb18 · 09-01-2009, 11:46 PM

i have my 10"wide Flat black vinyl i bought,,wanted to put it on but wasnt sure about my ability,, nice write up, ima try it again soon.

my_srt_8u · 09-02-2009, 09:49 PM

reply to bravopl: Was the set your talking about on ebay kinda like this set Dodge SRT-4 Racing Rally Stripe vinyl decal decals kit:eBay Motors (item 260394266011 end time Sep-12-09 11:26:06 PDT) And did you have to trim around the nostril or did you heat it up and form it.

bravopl · 09-03-2009, 05:54 PM

yes dude this is the the guy i bought it from. I heated mine while i used water with soap in it-the only problem i have had was the scoop 1 line came out to be wider then other one and i got pissed

took it off and ripped that shit apart. Now i wait for my vinyl from edecal.com i will try to put it again.

my_srt_8u · 09-03-2009, 05:58 PM

Alright will order a set. Thanks

bravopl · 09-05-2009, 03:57 PM

Its hot ass saturday and i f@#$% up my stripes second time!!!!!!!!!!! you order racing stripes make sure you order triple set unless yo got more pacience then i do......Anyone willing to come over my house and work on this with me lol???