This ‘How-To’ will cover the installation of the custom fading rocker stripes sold and distributed by DarkFireGT (from TMS).
Tools required Plastic pliable squeegee Straight edge razor blade Masking tape (Painters Blue or Body Shop Green) *Do not use regular yellowish masking tape, it can leave behind tape residue if exposed in the sun.
Liquid solution (BSM’s mix, works perfectly) Mix in a spray bottle 20 ounces of water, 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 1/2 teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol.
Estimated install time: 90 minutes
Installation (pictures will alternate between left and right sides to cover all the steps in order)
1. Clean entire area where stripes will be applied with isopropyl alcohol using a lint-free rag to remove any wax/polish, dirt, grime, etc.
2. Mask the edge line. Using a roll of masking tape, start at one end (either at the front quarter panel or the rear door edge) and place the bottom edge of the masking tape right at the top edge of the crease that runs across the entire length. This lower mask line will be used as your primary reference line.
3. Carefully peel the backing paper away from the transfer tape. Be extremely cautious not to touch any part of the actual vinyl, especially at the clear faded section; if you do, it WILL leave fingerprints!
4. Pre-Positioning the stripe. This is where having an extra set of hands comes in handy. Using the solution mix, liberally spray the mating side of the vinyl (the exposed part that you just peeled the backing paper from) and over the entire rocker section. Don’t be afraid to spray too much, the more the better.
5. Positioning the stripe. Lay the stripe on the rocker area. Because of the solution, the vinyl stripe will be able to ‘float’ into position as long as the solution doesn’t dry up or you don’t press any areas against the car. If a certain section begins to stick, spray more solution between the rocker and vinyl right away.
The leading edge of the vinyl will be your primary mark to set the forward-back positioning of the stripe. Note: Make sure the top pinstripe goes to the edge of the front quarter panel. Because of the arch of the wheel well, you’ll have more vinyl overhang on the bottom, which is fine.
The top of the pinstripe will be your primary mark to set the up-down positioning of the stripe. Very important key here is to float the stripe up/down to achieve approximately 1/8” gap between the lower masking tape line and the top of the vinyl pinstripe line. Once you line up the front, then float up the rear, the middle will automatically be lined up. No need to measure exactly an 1/8”, just eyeball it.
Note: Never allow any sections of the top pinstripe to overlap the masking tape! Always maintain a small gap to it.
6. Once the vinyl is in the position you want, start the squeegee process. Starting from the center, work out any air bubbles/pockets and solution out. Always work from the center out! Note: I sprayed solution on top of the transfer tape where I squeegeed to help it glide more easily.
7. Peel off the transfer tape. After letting the stripes sit for a while (I’m not an expert, but I’d say the longer the better, but don’t let it bake in the sun), start at one end (I started at the clear-door end) and slowly start to peel the transfer tape off. Note: On this particular brand of vinyl, I found that wetting the outside of the transfer tape (with the solution) made the tape more pliable and helped the peeling off process.
Note: If any sections of the vinyl (especially the pinstripe) begin to lift with the transfer tape, STOP! Lay the tape back down and let it dry/tack-up some more before proceeding. What I did instead of waiting was to use a heat gun (low setting and away from the vinyl!) to accelerate the drying process. If you opt for this method, be very careful! Rule of thumb… if the heat is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for the vinyl.
Note: For stubborn little sections that just refuse to stick, back it up with the squeegee until you peel past that point.
8. Remove the masking tape.
9. Cut vinyl at door edges. Using a single edge razor blade, cut the vinyl at the door jamb areas. Note: Try to center the cut so you have enough overlap for each side.
10. Completing installation Look over the whole stripes and if you see any large pockets of air. If areas exist, wet the area and squeegee them out. Don’t be too worried if you have small air bubbles, they will lay down on their own over time.
Once the door jamb sections of the vinyl start to tack up, use your fingers and roll the edge of the vinyl over. Do the same for the front wheel well. If the vinyl doesn’t want to stay down, let it tack up some more or employ the heat gun again, same rule of thumb applies.
Note: Some sections to be rolled can be difficult to access. Use something without sharp edges to help tack the vinyl over.
Installation complete!
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Current Status: Blown Motor MMR Street Mod 800 Shortblock Ordered.. yeah, it'll have FORGED internals
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Joined: 11/23/2006 From: Spring Hill, FL Status: offline
Whew! I was having Tacobill installation instruction withdrawals!!! I love to see these threads. Great job Tacobill, now I might wanna get those too, lol.
Wow, this board gets alot of views. Page 3 for todays posts? lol. Thanks for the write-up, Bill.
I just wanted to let everyone know the price is actually $80 shipped. I did $60 for the original people who were interested in the stripes, with the intent of selling the rest on eBay at $95 + shipping to make my money back. Since so many people on forums are interested, I can sell the remaining stock at $80 shipped and still make it "out of the red". My current stock is limited to black. I have some white on order, but if you followed the post on TMS, you'd know I had a lot of trouble with the graphics shop, so there is currently no ETA for white. I plan on looking at a local shop to get some more made once I make it back "out of the red", and if there's enough demand, I'll order more and hopefully be able to give a better price for Mustang forum members. You can PM me, or better yet, email me at my new email address, fadingstripes@gmail.com
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Joined: 4/6/2005 From: LI, NY Status: offline
I ordered the black and I will be installing it on the middle of the car like the GT/CS. I'm going to remoe the GT logos and re-install them centered over the black stripe.
I hope to have them done this weekend.
< Message edited by odiaz -- 7/18/2007 6:02:06 PM >
has anybody installed/ordered black yet? id really like to see it instead of relying on my bad sense of imagination lol
I actually shipped twice as many black as white. As it would be, both sets of white are already installed, both on Torch Red. Guess the black stripe owners are lazy There's at least a few people installing this weekend.
has anybody installed/ordered black yet? id really like to see it instead of relying on my bad sense of imagination lol
I actually shipped twice as many black as white. As it would be, both sets of white are already installed, both on Torch Red. Guess the black stripe owners are lazy There's at least a few people installing this weekend.
sweet....i can confidently KINDA commit lol. i just need to see it in black first, but knowing my spending habits its gonna happen.
ill keep an eye out on both this forum and TMS for pics
< Message edited by ismellhonda -- 7/18/2007 6:48:40 PM >
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C&L w/ XCAL2 and 93 Race Tune JBA True Duals w/ H-Pipe Dual 10in Stripes w/ 1in Pin Stripe and some other goodies ;-)
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Joined: 4/6/2005 From: West Los Angeles Status: online
Hmmm... I dunno... I love the write up, but the stripes just look like they were painted and the painter just ran out of white paint! I really think a solid stripe would complete the look, especially with the other racing stripes already on there. But no worries, we'll eagerly await the next mod!
Its official I dont want Steve or Corroll or Jack, or pernelli signing my car. I want my taco bill signature on my car. I see your in socal. We have to meet up. So I can buy you lunch.
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2007 Redfire GT with SCT2 W/ C&L CAI. ZEX Nitrous kit, O/R X Pipe, Delete Plates,Steeda UDP, 4:10's, Lowered, spohn Lca's, panhard bar, Sway bar delete, Hurst STS, Tint, MMR rear seat delete. Stock Exhaust, Shortie antenna. ALL GO NO SHOW.
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Fading Rocker Stripe Install (w/pics) - 
