For 1990-2009 cars

### Stripes or Decals

Important: Allow the freshly painted surfaces to dry thoroughly before installing the stripe or the decal. Residual solvents in fresh painted surfaces may lead to subsequent blistering concerns if the stripe or the decal is applied before the complete release of the solvents.

The stripes and the decals adhere to a painted surface using pressure sensitive adhesive.

The use of a wetting solution aids the technician in lifting and positioning the stripe or the decal during the installation. The wetting solution also ensures a better bond between the stripe or the decal and the panel assembly. Use a wetting solution when applying large stripe and decal packages.

Notice: Use of harsh chemicals when cleaning can damage exterior lamps. Suggested cleaners are a mild soap and water, or Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) Naptha. VM&P Naptha is a specific type of naptha and should not be substituted by any other naptha.

Maintain the body surfaces and the decals between 21°-38°C (70°-100°F) prior to installation. The decal requires auxiliary heat sources in order to warm the body surfaces and the decals. If the temperature is below 21°C (70°F) the decal may not adhere to the body surface properly.

Important: Use the wet method in order to apply the stripes or the decals that are applied on flexible surfaces (fascias, etc.). This will reduce the formation of bubbles under the decal due to the outgassing potential of the flexible materials. An exception to this rule is the application of a stripe or a decal to a TPO fascia. Use the dry method when installing a stripe or a decal onto the TPO material.

The following equipment and materials or the equivalent are necessary when making a quality stripe or decal installation:

• | A wetting solution

| A wetting solution that is of a foaming type window cleaner that does not contain ammonia, or

| A prepared solution of 7.4 ml (0.25 fl oz) of liquid detergent per 0.95 liter (1 quart) of water

• | A silicone, wax and grease remover

• | Varnish makers and painters (VM&P) naptha

• | Isopropyl alcohol

• | A squeegee

- | 75-100 mm (3-4 in) wide

- | Made of plastic or hard rubber

- | Deburr any sharp or rough edges in order to prevent scratching of the stripe or the decal.

• | A water bucket and a sponge, or a spray bottle

• | Sandpaper

- | 800 grit or finer

- | Wet or dry type

• | A heat gun or an infrared heat lamp

• | A clean, lint-free wiping cloth

• | A sharp knife or a razor blade

• | A pair of scissors

• | A fine pin or a needle

• | A marking pencil

### Stripe or Decal Removal

1. Remove the following components:

• | Any necessary moldings or trim

• | The molding attaching clips

• | The handles

• | The sidemarker lamps

• | Other stripe or decal overlapping parts

2. Clean the following areas, as required:

• | The repair surfaces

• | The adjacent panels

• | The openings

Notice: To avoid damaging the paint finish, do not use pointed or sharp instruments to remove the stripe or the decal.

3. Start at 1 edge and peel the stripe in order to remove the stripe or the decal from the painted surface.

Application of heat to the stripe or the decal at the point of removal will aid the removal operation.

4. Remove all traces of adhesive residue from the painted surfaces with a silicone, wax and grease remover solvent.

### Stripe or Decal Installation -- Wet Method

Notice: To prevent possible vehicle, stripe or decal damage, always refer to manufacturer's packaged instructions.

Important: The striping material will highlight vehicle surface imperfections. Eliminate the following imperfections before applying the stripe or the decal:

• | All dings

• | Rough metal

• | Paint defects

• | Uneven 2-tone paint break lines

1. Clean the painted surface using a silicone, wax and grease remover solvent.
2. Remove any imperfections that may show through the stripe or the decal.
3. Clean the area where the stripe or the decal will be applied using a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.
4. Wipe the panel surface using a clean cloth while the solvent is still wet. Allow the panel surface to dry.
5. Apply the wetting solution to the area where you are installing the stripe or the decal. Remove the backing material of the stripe or the decal as necessary.
6. Apply the wetting solution on the adhesive side of the stripe or the decal.
7. Apply the stripe or the decal to the panel. The wetting solution will allow movement for proper positioning on the panel surface.

Important: Application of the wetting solution on the outer side of the stripe or the decal will ease the pull of the squeegee and help to eliminate damage.

8. Working from the center where possible, squeegee the stripe or the decal into position. Application of additional wetting solution may be necessary in order to ease installation.
9. Apply heat to the stripe or the decal at the recessed areas. Press the stripe or the decal into the recess in order to obtain a firm bond.
10. Use adequate light reflection in order to inspect the stripe or the decal from a critical angle. This technique will allow detection of any irregularities that may have developed during the installation.

Important: Do not use a razor blade or a knife edge in order to remove the air bubbles.

11. Remove all of the air bubbles by piercing the bubble with one of the following items:

• | A safety pin

• | A needle

• | A tool with the same size piercing tip

12. Pierce the bubble on the outer edge. Force the air out through the opposite edge using the blade of the squeegee.
13. Install any previously removed parts. Clean the parts as required.

### Stripe or Decal Installation -- Dry Method

Notice: To prevent possible vehicle, stripe or decal damage, always refer to manufacturer's packaged instructions.

Important: The striping material will highlight the vehicle surface imperfections. Eliminate the following imperfections before applying the strip or the decal:

• | All dings

• | Rough metal

• | Paint defects

• | Uneven 2-tone paint break lines

1. Clean the painted surface using a silicone, wax and grease remover solvent.
2. Remove any imperfections that may show through the stripe or the decal.
3. Clean the area where the stripe or the decal will be applied using a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.
4. Wipe the panel surface using a clean cloth while the solvent is still wet. Allow the panel surface to dry.
5. Use the manufacturer's instructions in order to apply adhesive promoter to the area where you are applying the stripe or the decal.
6. Working from the center where possible, squeegee the stripe or the decal into position.

Remove all of the air bubbles in order to ensure a satisfactory bond.

Important: Do not reposition the decal or the stripe once you remove the pre-mask. The decal or the stripe will become distorted in shape and cause surface finish damage.

7. Remove the paper or the plastic pre-mask straight up off of the stripe.
8. Squeegee the entire decal surface again, especially the outer perimeter and the edges.
9. Apply heat to the stripe or the decal at the recessed areas. Press the stripe or the decal into the recess in order to obtain a firm bond.
10. Use adequate light reflection in order to inspect the stripe or the decal from a critical angle. This technique will allow the detection of any irregularities that may have developed during the installation.

Important: Do not use a razor blade or a knife edge in order to remove the air bubbles.

11. Remove all of the air bubbles by piercing the bubble using one of the following items:

• | A safety pin

• | A needle

• | A tool with the same size piercing tip.

12. Pierce the bubble on the outer edge. Force the air out through the opposite edge using the blade of the squeegee.
13. Install any previously removed parts. Clean the parts as required.