7thS0N
04-30-2006, 03:50 PM
Today I applied the AAR 'Cuda style striped vynil kit to my Magnum, and wanted to share some thoughts on the experience. This was going to be a full-blown, how-to... but because the instructions I used are detailed enough, I just thought I would refer to those and share my thoughts
First, not knowing how to apply vynil graphics to the vehicle, I did a quick search on the internet for some decent install instructions. The instructions I ended up using can be found HERE (http://www.autotrimdesign.com/Shopping%20Pages/Installation%20Information/Custom%20Graphics/Custom%20Graphics%20Installation%20Instructions.ht m)
The kit was purchased from revolution motorsports (www.revolution-motorsports.com (http://www.revolution-motorsports.com)), one of our supporting vendors. They use graphics made by Auto Trim Design, hence the instruction link above seemed to be most valid.
What you need:
spray bottle. Fill with water and 1-2 drops of baby shampoo (or other liquid soap)
squeegee
razor blade or exacto knife
patience
rubbing alcohol & lint free rag
Overall difficulty - 4/10 (2/10 if you have really steady hands by nature. I do not )
Time - 2.5 hours. I took a while to do this. Because I've never done anything similar, and wasn't in a rush, I enjoyed the cool weather and took my time. Once familiar with the process, you get much faster!
1 - Wash the car. I used Dawn dish soap instead of carwash soap. Normally, using Dawn isn't recommended, because it strips the wax off your car. However in this case, that is absolutely what I wanted. I thought it best to get down the paint for best adhesion. Here's a picture of the car after washing (the "before" shot):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0001Medium.jpg
2 - Use rubbing alcohol and rag to wipe down area where graphic will be applied. This is just to make sure any remaining contaminants are removed before applying the vynil.
3 - Trim the paper around the vynil graphic so that it's easier to work with (you don't want to deal with a thick paper 'border' around the graphic when fitting around the door handles. It is much easier to work with if the backing is trimmed close around these tight/sensitive areas.
4 - DO THE PASSENGER SIDE FIRST. It's the easier side, and will help you build confidence in trimming the vynil around the doors. The driver's side is the same, however there are two differences:
- you have to look at it ALL THE TIME. It's better to do this side after you go the hang of it.
- there is more trimming on the drivers side, because of the gas door. (as a note, I didn't do the passenger side first... and wish I did!)
4 - Line up the graphic and use masking tape to get into position. After finalizing placement, mark top edges at corners with tape, so that it will be easier to align later
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0008Medium.jpg
5 - Follow application instructions - place verticle piece of tape accross graphic so that you can apply one half, then the other. When applying, use lots of water from the spray bottle, and lots of careful squeegee-ing.
6 - After applying and squeegee-ing, you can trim across the joints (for doors or the gascap-door). Use the razor blade, steady hand, and patience. Don't press too hard!! you don't want to cut into the paint! (Again, refer to instructions for this).
You may find it easier to line everything up, tape into position, and then cut the longer piece at the door joints before applying, as I did here:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0011Medium.jpg
I tried this on the first piece I did, and found it easier to NOT CUT FIRST, and instead apply the entire piece, and cut the graphics at the doors afterwards. Your mileage may vary, just note it can be done successfully either way.
7- Repeat for each piece (two pieces per side). The first section takes the longest - you spend more time lining everything up and figuring out where to tape to make the process move smoothly. Once you get the hang of it, it all goes quickly.
When complete, your auto will look something like this (the 'after'):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0016Medium.jpg
Passenger side shot:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0020Medium.jpg
I'm really happy with how it came out. For a first timer doing this, I can say I'm happy with the results. I do wish I had started passenger side first, but live and learn.
I am passing a couple of suggestions along to revoution-motorsports for a better kit:
- I would have paid more money for a kit that was precut in sections for each door / body panel. It would have made life quite a bit easier, as the most nerve-racking part of this process is trimming that vynil at the doors and gas cap.
- Including a small rubber squeegee in the kit would also be nice (I happen to have one here, but if you don't you have to go pick one up or improvise.)
So that's all there is to it. Hope this proves helpful for anyone who hasn't done this type of thing before!
Mike
First, not knowing how to apply vynil graphics to the vehicle, I did a quick search on the internet for some decent install instructions. The instructions I ended up using can be found HERE (http://www.autotrimdesign.com/Shopping%20Pages/Installation%20Information/Custom%20Graphics/Custom%20Graphics%20Installation%20Instructions.ht m)
The kit was purchased from revolution motorsports (www.revolution-motorsports.com (http://www.revolution-motorsports.com)), one of our supporting vendors. They use graphics made by Auto Trim Design, hence the instruction link above seemed to be most valid.
What you need:
spray bottle. Fill with water and 1-2 drops of baby shampoo (or other liquid soap)
squeegee
razor blade or exacto knife
patience
rubbing alcohol & lint free rag
Overall difficulty - 4/10 (2/10 if you have really steady hands by nature. I do not )
Time - 2.5 hours. I took a while to do this. Because I've never done anything similar, and wasn't in a rush, I enjoyed the cool weather and took my time. Once familiar with the process, you get much faster!
1 - Wash the car. I used Dawn dish soap instead of carwash soap. Normally, using Dawn isn't recommended, because it strips the wax off your car. However in this case, that is absolutely what I wanted. I thought it best to get down the paint for best adhesion. Here's a picture of the car after washing (the "before" shot):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0001Medium.jpg
2 - Use rubbing alcohol and rag to wipe down area where graphic will be applied. This is just to make sure any remaining contaminants are removed before applying the vynil.
3 - Trim the paper around the vynil graphic so that it's easier to work with (you don't want to deal with a thick paper 'border' around the graphic when fitting around the door handles. It is much easier to work with if the backing is trimmed close around these tight/sensitive areas.
4 - DO THE PASSENGER SIDE FIRST. It's the easier side, and will help you build confidence in trimming the vynil around the doors. The driver's side is the same, however there are two differences:
- you have to look at it ALL THE TIME. It's better to do this side after you go the hang of it.
- there is more trimming on the drivers side, because of the gas door. (as a note, I didn't do the passenger side first... and wish I did!)
4 - Line up the graphic and use masking tape to get into position. After finalizing placement, mark top edges at corners with tape, so that it will be easier to align later
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0008Medium.jpg
5 - Follow application instructions - place verticle piece of tape accross graphic so that you can apply one half, then the other. When applying, use lots of water from the spray bottle, and lots of careful squeegee-ing.
6 - After applying and squeegee-ing, you can trim across the joints (for doors or the gascap-door). Use the razor blade, steady hand, and patience. Don't press too hard!! you don't want to cut into the paint! (Again, refer to instructions for this).
You may find it easier to line everything up, tape into position, and then cut the longer piece at the door joints before applying, as I did here:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0011Medium.jpg
I tried this on the first piece I did, and found it easier to NOT CUT FIRST, and instead apply the entire piece, and cut the graphics at the doors afterwards. Your mileage may vary, just note it can be done successfully either way.
7- Repeat for each piece (two pieces per side). The first section takes the longest - you spend more time lining everything up and figuring out where to tape to make the process move smoothly. Once you get the hang of it, it all goes quickly.
When complete, your auto will look something like this (the 'after'):
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0016Medium.jpg
Passenger side shot:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/7thS0N/PICT0020Medium.jpg
I'm really happy with how it came out. For a first timer doing this, I can say I'm happy with the results. I do wish I had started passenger side first, but live and learn.
I am passing a couple of suggestions along to revoution-motorsports for a better kit:
- I would have paid more money for a kit that was precut in sections for each door / body panel. It would have made life quite a bit easier, as the most nerve-racking part of this process is trimming that vynil at the doors and gas cap.
- Including a small rubber squeegee in the kit would also be nice (I happen to have one here, but if you don't you have to go pick one up or improvise.)
So that's all there is to it. Hope this proves helpful for anyone who hasn't done this type of thing before!
Mike