1. Chapter 19 Decals, Custom Painting, and Trim

2. Objectives Properly remove and install vinyl decals and striping Prepare the surface before applying adhesive overlay material or before custom painting Explain various techniques for doing custom paint work Remove, align, and install molding and emblems

3. Introduction People of all ages often want their vehicles customized or personalized Factory-installed pinstripes and decorative tape is now common This kind of work is in high demand and is profitable

4. Overlays and Tape Stripes An overlay is a large, self-adhesive vinyl material applied to the finish Vinyl tape is a tough, durable decorative striping material adhered to the vehicle’s finish –It has a pressure-sensitive backing Vinyl decals are more complex and decorative pressure-sensitive material than tape stripes Both tape and decals can be original equipment or aftermarket installed

5. Overlays and Tape Stripes (continued) Vinyl overlay remover is a chemical that dissolves plastic vinyl to aid its removal Mask area around decal with plastic Scuff sand decal with No. 220 grit sandpaper, but do not sand paint Spray entire decal with remover and allow to soak for 15 minutes, then peel from panel Use a rag and adhesive remover to clean off remaining vinyl glue

6. Figure 19-1. To remove vinyl stripes and decals, mask around the material. Then spray on two coats of remover. After soaking them, you can more easily peel off vinyl materials.

7. Overlay and Stripe Application Use a water-soluble marker and tape measure to mark where to install new decal Place masking tape on vehicle to serve as a guide, aligning tape with marks Surface of panel should be wet sanded, buffed, and cleaned with wax/grease remover

8. Installing Overlays In overlay wet method of installation, fill a bucket with water, and mix in dishwashing liquid Place decal in soapy water, and peel off backing material carefully Position overlay on vehicle, using masking tape as a guide, removing wrinkles Working from middle outward, use a rubber squeegee to flatten overlay

9. Installing Overlays (continued) Use a rag or rubber roller to rub and adhere overlay to panel When water is removed and almost dry, peel off carrier paper Pierce any remaining air bubbles with a needle, and rub overlay with a rag to work out air

10. Installing Vinyl Pinstripes Overlay dry method does not require soapy water, and all surfaces must be clean and dry Narrow pinstripe can be installed dry without wrinkling or bubble problems Make sure surface is perfectly clean and use a grease pen to locate where you want striping, or lay down masking tape as a guide Position and adhere one end of tape stripe, and use one hand to lightly stretch tape and other to tack it into position

11. (A) Measure and mark the location of the decal so it is centered and straight or aligned as desired. Apply masking tape to the top of the decal to hold it in place. Figure 19-2. Study the basic steps for installing a vinyl decal.

12. Installing Vinyl Pinstripes (continued) Do not stretch tape too tight or it will distort and come off After using your finger to lightly tack tape into position, stand back and check its straightness When tape is positioned properly, use a rubber squeegee to bond tape to finish If tape has carrier paper, peel off and work out kinks and air bubbles Do not use your hand to bond pinstripe tape, it will distort and wrinkle tape

13. Painted Pinstripes Two methods to paint on pinstripes –Use vinyl masking tape to mask each side –Use a special striping tool A painted stripe will last longer and look better Pinstripe masking tape uses two pieces of vinyl tape held with a paper carrier Position and apply tape as your would pinstripe tape, then remove carrier paper Use a pinstriping brush to apply paint between tapes

14. Using Pinstriping Tool Pinstriping tool uses a serrated roller to deposit a painted pinstripe Various widths of roller can be installed in tool to change paint stripe widths Magnetic guide strip can be used for making straight or slightly curved pinstripes Freehand technique is sometimes used to brush on pinstripes, using body lines as a guide

15. Painting Wider Stripes Before painting, wet sand area with very fine wet sandpaper Apply fine line masking tape where stripes are wanted, mask each side with paper or plastic Spray color for stripes onto unmasked area After drying and removing masking material, wet sand area and buff it to a high gloss If stripe is wide, use a full-size spray gun, otherwise use an airbrush or touch-up gun

16. Figure 19-3. Larger decals, like these white stripes, should be applied using a mixture of dishwashing detergent and water. This will keep the large decal from sticking and aid in making it lay flat. As you work air and water from under the decal with a roller, it will stick to the body surface properly.

17. Custom Painting Complex images require special artistic talent Before custom painting, make sure the base is in good condition, wet sand and clean area Custom masks can be made by drawing a design on thin posterboard and cutting them out Posterboard design is then taped onto vehicle and spray painted Card masking uses a simple masking pattern to produce a custom paint effect

18. Custom Painting (continued) Lace painting involves spraying through lace fabric, which can be purchased at a fabric store Marble effect can be made by forcing crumpled plastic against a freshly painted stripe Spider webbing is done by forcing paint through airbrush in a very thin spray Painted flames are created by using fine line masking tape to form outline of the flames –Area around this is covered with masking paper, and a base color for flames is applied

19. (B) Note how the whole flame was painted yellow. Then red was added to the edges of the flame to give it a custom effect Figure 19-5. Flames are a very common example of custom painting.

20. Custom Painting (continued) After flame base color is applied, a second translucent color is blended Flames are wet sanded and polished Painted lettering involves masking off letters and brushing them on with a different color Start out simple, and progress to more complex paint work Practice on old parts with leftover paint

21. (B) Octopus or squid flames(D) Skulls in hell cocoon (A) Flames ripping through paint!(C) Star of David with chrome trim. Figure 19-6. Note the custom paint jobs on these gas tanks. How do you think each was done?

22. Moldings and Trim To remove molding or trim that is held on by adhesive, place masking tape next to molding or emblem to protect surface Heat molding with a heat gun to soften adhesive Force a molding removal tool under part to separate adhesive from body Pull outward on molding as you carefully work tool behind the part Remove remaining adhesive

23. Moldings and Trim (continued) If you are reusing the old molding or trim, clean remaining adhesive off its mounting surface Scrape off bulk of the old adhesive without cutting or damaging molding Wrap part in plastic film and heat soften adhesive When installing adhesive-backed molding make sure surface is perfectly clean Use masking tape as a guide for molding installation

24. Moldings and Trim (continued) If you are reusing adhesive-backed molding or emblems, use aftermarket adhesive Spread a thin coating of emblem adhesive on emblem and move into position without smearing adhesive Use masking tape to hold part in place until adhesive dries When molding is held in place by fasteners, you may have to remove door panels

25. Attaching Moldings with Two-Sided Tape Preferred method of securing moldings and trim is double-sided foam tape Double-sided tape holds molding closer, reducing possibility of its being snagged Weight, mass, and irregular shapes of moldings do not lend themselves to traditional fasteners No longer necessary to drill holes into panels, which eliminates a source of rust

26. Summary Several ways to remove vinyl tape stripes and decals –Spray remover –Heat gun and scraper –Scuff pad Overlay wet method uses soapy water to apply larger decals and striping

27. Summary (continued) Overlay dry method does not require water –Can be used if an overlay is narrower than 2" Custom painting involves –Multiple colors –Metal flake paints –Multilayer masking –Special spraying techniques