[Hesster1977]

Looking for some installation tips. I am ready to begin installation of SE Stripes on my Bandit Trans Am Camaro Conversion. I want it to look as close as possible to the 1977 SE's. So since the Camaro Body is obviously different in almost all areas, my plan is to utilize as much of the Phoenix Graphix's Premolded Stripes, and cut them up and splice together to fit. So I also bought a roll of Straight Striping for connecting the pieces together where neccessary. But the issue is getting striping around curves where the premolded items don't exactly conform to some of the curves & bends.

So my question is -
1. Has anyone installed the Straight Roll Striping around CORNERS/CURVES? It does not seem to like being forced into a curve. So install dry and try stretching it to form the curve?
2. It has been a while since I installed these on my 1977 SE many years ago. Any tips, as there are not instructions other than soapy Water?

[Keith Seymore]

Attached below are some generic instructions that I use.

I would recommend cleaning the specific area first with isopropyl alcohol. Wipe dry.

Mix up some installation solution as shown below.

Dry fit the part first and tape into position in such a way that you can remove the adhesive side premask and put it right back into position.

Spray the installation solution on both the adhesive side of the surface and the vehicle.

Start squeeging in the center of the part and work your way outboard. Use firm overlapping strokes to move the water and air bubbles out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orTjZa3YB2A

Feel free to use a little bit of heat from a heat gun or hair dryer if necessary. You should be able to pull and stretch a little bit depending on the material used (ie urethane? PVC film?).

[Hesster1977]

Thanks - that helps. Still wondering if and how to get the straight roll of stripes to conform around curves. And if anyone has done this.

https://www.firebirdcentral.com/Prod...tCode=STN-2150

[JJDeville]

I used to stripe cars for a used car dealer I worked for in the 80s. To go around a curve you have to stretch the tape and apply pressure to the tape. It does better when it is warm weather. Get some pinstripe tape and practice.

[TAKerry]

I am finishing up the restoration of a TATA. Unfortunately I waited too long to get the decal kit. The pre cut version is now out of production. So I ended up with roll stripes. I was worried that they would be a PIA at best. Much to my surprise, they are going on extremely well. They 'bend' around a wheel well with no problems at all. I have a couple of 90deg turns at the wheel spoilers that went on perfect. The guys at PG assured me I would have no problems with tight bends and they were correct. I install them dry and would not recommend using the application gel. I tried using the gel when I did the S.E. stripes on my 77 and it was a nightmare. The stripes would not stick, when I pulled the top clear layer off the stripes were coming off with it. I then switched and started using them without the gel and had zero problems.
When using the tape going around a curve, you just need to be carefull and keep the margins the same so they wont look too wonky. There is a bit of play as if its not perfect you can pull it back off to re-align. Once everything is in place looking good I take a clean micro fibre and rub them in pretty good to set the glue. So far so good.

Its not nearly as bad as I was thinking it was going to be.

[TAKerry]

20240728_132728 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
20240724_143217 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

[Hesster1977]

Will share some learnings as I install Stripes on the Camaro T/A Conversion.

The Straight Roll Stripes has the Smaller Stripe of the two about 1/64" narrower than the PreMolded one's. It is really hard to tell, but it means I can't splice the two together - that you CAN notice when overlapping them. So I don't think that is a issue, as I can avoid doing that, and only mix the (2) Stripes when splicing RH Corners. Or mainly use the Roll. I will figure that out as I go - it is why I layed out all of the PreMolded Stripes on the car to assess installation and Splicing areas.

The other thing I learned is that the PreMolded Stripes are much more difficult to apply unless in a straight line. This is due to the necessity of removing BOTH sides if the backing paper so you can "stretch" them around curves, and once removed you lose the spacing between the Smaller and Larger Stripe. Both the Top and Bottom Backing Films are Paper - it won't stretch at all, and is not intended to. So - lot's of soapy spray, peel both sides off as you go, get them in rough position, and then nudge them around to maintain a even gap. Time consuming but not impossible, and a good eye and steady hand.

Given that, for the Top Spoiler Stripes I used and finessed the PreMolded one's, and since the Bottom Stripe is straighter, I used the Roll Stripes. The Roll Stripes are much easier to apply, as you first remove the bottom backing paper, then you can stretch it around as you stick it, and then finally remove the Top Clear Flexible Backing Film.

Since the CAMARO Deck Lid is much wider that a Trans Am, a Splice with a short piece was necessary at the ends cause they were too short. That turned out OK - it is really hard to see any Splice Overlap.

The results are really good I think, and although very time consuming, it is awesome to see it progress. Any fears of these Stripes not adhering properly and staying put around Curves are fortunately not a issue, once you get them positioned and dry they lock hard to the surface and are not easily removed.