Challenger Hood Decal - Anyone that's done one - is one they sent me messed up?

[marc70challenger]

The 3M directions say to expect some small "wrinkles or bubbles" in premask ... but these are large and long .. but ... they really don't appeared to be creased (like when they get "ironed" - I would figure that would be no good).

I've never done one like this before - and my son who works at a professional sign shop and has done decals on war birds is coming down to do it ... but want to make sure I don't have messed up one when he arrives.

I sent pics to classic industries and they are running it by some people there too.

I don't want hassle of sending it back - and to me it appears they will come out when gel/soapy solution is applied and squeegeed ..

What do you all think?

[anlauto]

NO......that's not good, HOWEVER, your son should be able to work with it, if he has any experience doing large decals

[marc70challenger]

NO......that's not good, HOWEVER, your son should be able to work with it, if he has any experience doing large decals

Thanks Alan.  I sent our son the pics too .. we'll see what he and shipper have to say.  Appreciate your input ... always very helpful   

[rUNCHARGER]

I don't like that very much and I install them at work all the time. Is it dated? If it is fairly fresh it might be okay but if it's at all old I would want a new one.

Sheldon

[dougs bs23]

recently watched an episode of GYC where they did a hood blackout.  soapy water mix and a lot of squeegee action to get the wrinkles and bubbles out.  perhaps you can do an on demand search and find that show , may get a few tips out of mr know it all worman 

[marc70challenger]

I don't like that very much and I install them at work all the time. Is it dated? If it is fairly fresh it might be okay but if it's at all old I would want a new one.

Sheldon

I can't find a date anywhere.  Guess we'll see what CI says ... maybe be best just to return it and get them to ship me another.  Thanks for help!

[marc70challenger]

recently watched an episode of GYC where they did a hood blackout.  soapy water mix and a lot of squeegee action to get the wrinkles and bubbles out.  perhaps you can do an on demand search and find that show , may get a few tips out of mr know it all worman 

   I haven't seen that one ... but I do remember him doing decals on the Superbird and on trunk I think of a Cuda ... he was very proud of his accomplishment ... 

[cdawg]

You might want to lay it on your hood on a sunny day to get those wrinkles out before you install it on the hood.

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

Mine arrived in a tube rolled up............no wrinkles...........however when I put mine on, had everything lined up, I started at the top first..........a little mistake in that the water softened the paper toward the center and it got soft so when I had the top secure and pulled the bottom up to put it down and pulled the paper off, there was some particals left on the upper part......at the middle. I was successful in getting them off before finally securing the bottom.......all turned out well.

Good Luck.

[marc70challenger]

Thanks Dave for help - and that looks awesome!!!!!   

[rUNCHARGER]

What I would be concerned about is the glue being dried up or dirt in there. The wrinkles will come out with careful application.

Sheldon

[Rickster]

marc70challenger, I'm in the same boat as you with the decals. I also ordered mine from CI but due to circumstances they sat in the tubes rolled up for over a year before I was ready to apply them. When I unrolled them they looked fine (no wrinkles). But as I let the decals "relax" they began to pucker up in some areas just as your picture showed. I thought I'd go ahead and try the side stripes(on my 71) and if there was a problem I'd order a new set that was "fresher". On these decals from CI, they are on a 3M backing material. Once that is removed and the decal and panel are both sprayed with soapy water and applied to panel there are no longer any wrinkles in the vinyl. Was able to squeegee water out and remove pre-mask next day without any problem with the side stripes. My hood decal is on my to-do list Monday. It has the same wrinkles as yours but I'm optimistic that once it is applied to hood the wrinkles will be gone. We'll see.

Let us know how yours turns out and I'll do the same.

Good luck!

[marc70challenger]

marc70challenger, I'm in the same boat as you with the decals. I also ordered mine from CI but due to circumstances they sat in the tubes rolled up for over a year before I was ready to apply them. When I unrolled them they looked fine (no wrinkles). But as I let the decals "relax" they began to pucker up in some areas just as your picture showed. I thought I'd go ahead and try the side stripes(on my 71) and if there was a problem I'd order a new set that was "fresher". On these decals from CI, they are on a 3M backing material. Once that is removed and the decal and panel are both sprayed with soapy water and applied to panel there are no longer any wrinkles in the vinyl. Was able to squeegee water out and remove pre-mask next day without any problem with the side stripes. My hood decal is on my to-do list Monday. It has the same wrinkles as yours but I'm optimistic that once it is applied to hood the wrinkles will be gone. We'll see.

Let us know how yours turns out and I'll do the same.

Good luck!

Thanks Rick.

We'll being doing it weekend of 4 Apr ... will let you know!!!!   I showed my son the pic - he said same thing as Sheldon ... I checked sides where the issues are ... appear to still have a seal .... we will see ...

 

[1 Wild R/T]

one bit of info, they don't leave you any extra on the front so make sure the decal is far enough forward before any  squeegee work is done... Back in the 80's I had a body shop apply one & they set it 1/4" to far back.. There was exposed paint between the decal & the hood trim.... Had to be redone & they refused to eat the decal, they did cover the labor... So it cost me another  $85.00.. Competition has brought the price down, something thats actually cheaper than 25 years ago....

[marc70challenger]

one bit of info, they don't leave you any extra on the front so make sure the decal is far enough forward before any  squeegee work is done... Back in the 80's I had a body shop apply one & they set it 1/4" to far back.. There was exposed paint between the decal & the hood trim.... Had to be redone & they refused to eat the decal, they did cover the labor... So it cost me another  $85.00.. Competition has brought the price down, something thats actually cheaper than 25 years ago....

thanks for heads up!!!!