decals vs. paint

[j_downey50]

i've been looking for decals for my '96 firebird and everywhere i look, a lot of people have had problems with them. does anyone know a good place online to get decals (firebird for door side badges, pontiac inlays for rear, etc.) that are very high quality? or should i just go for paint, even though it'd be more expensive?

[hockeyman]

Alot of people don't apply the decal(s) right. They get them in the mail or store, and slap them on without taking the proper steps.
The area where the decal goes MUST be clean, and wiped down with alcohol (rubbing alcohol -that is). I have a few decals on my camaro, and they never gave me any problems. Just clean the area first, and take your time.

[j_downey50]

well since i have no balls to do it myself because i'd screw something up, would it be wise to take them to a body shop and have them put them on? would that cost a rediculous amount or would it be worth it to not completely screw it up?

[BLLDOGG]

that would be a waste of money. gets some nuts. geezzz [img]graemlins/slap.gif[/img]

[MustangEater8251]

ITs not that hard...

jsut spray the are with a little soapy water and rub the bubbles out.


A problem I see with decals is cheap decals... that they actually begin to wear through the decal. But good quality decals don't do that.

[barracuda70]

I put racing stripes on my car the first time I'd ever messed with decals and it worked great. saved quite a bit of money too! just take your time and measure and mark with like a wax pencil b/f applying anything and go for it!

[hockeyman]

Yeah, go for it. The worst that could happen is you would just ruin your paintjob and the motor would seize up. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Nah, they're just decals and easily replaced. Give it a run.

[blackbyrd]

may i make a suggestion i never tried it with mine becasue i wasnt thinking but we always took soapy water and put on the area before we put the stickers on my wave runner so you could slide them around before you put them on and get them in the right place. that way you get it right the first time. also go to a dealership and get the door badges dont put stickers on the badges get them the right color. its what i did and i'm happy with it. my double lincoln

[j_downey50]

all right, thanks guys. any other advice as to how i should go about putting them on, let me know.

[MustangEater8251]

Spray the spot you are going to do with soapy water...

then put the decal on it... Smooth all the bubble out a credit card words nice, but for like the rear camaro inser I reccomend something smaller, maybe a cut up credit/gift card.


I have had to install permanent decals on windows(little harder then paint, need to get rid of all bubbles) and its how I do it. Then let the car sit out and dry.

Also before you do an area prep it, remove all wax and such before you do it.

[silvachris1]

I agree with everything said so far. Applying graphics isn't that difficult if you measure everything out first. Something else, if you mix half rubbing alcohol and half water in a 32 oz spray bottle and add 5 drops of dish soap, you'll make some really good application fluid. I reccomend that you check out http://www.3rdgendecals.com/ for some good graphics. They guy is pretty cool and the products were great. The directions for the install were outstanding too, and the graphics come with a squeegie.

[MustangEater8251]

If it wasn't mentioned this guy is an f-body guy he does this on the side and everyone loves his work. He useson only high qulity stuff.

He is a member on the v8 boards and is well known and respected.

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/vinyl/vinyl.htm

ans actually his stuff is pretty cheap when you compare.