Decal graphics installation

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

I have the entire set of brand new decals for my SS I was wondering if I should do it myself or let a professional do it. If you have done decals on your boat please let me know what the experience was like. Thanks

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:24 am

Jafo4U wrote:

I have the entire set of brand new decals for my SS I was wondering if I should do it myself or let a professional do it. If you have done decals on your boat please let me know what the experience was like. Thanks

It takes time, make sure you do it inside with no wind.

You'll need:
http://www.signwarehouse.com/FL-AP-p-FL-RT-10321-9.html (maybe two bottles)
http://www.signwarehouse.com/TT-S-6-p-H ... OL6-Y.html
Blue masking tape
Scissors
Razor blade knife
Measuring tape
Maybe a heat gun

The spray allows you to position the vinyl without it setting/sticking in place. It also allows you to squeegee out all the air bubbles. The surface has to be 150% spotless clean, smooth, and wax free. Any kind of dirt or anything under the vinyl will show.

Personally having worked at a Vinyl shop and it being the worst thing I've ever done in my life, I would let people who like doing it install. Find a shop that specializes in tractor trailers. Why you ask? Semi trucks are the hardest thing man can vinyl wrap. If they are good at that, they are good.

Walt · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 10:33 am

Check around at your local shops/marinas. I had mine done (under warranty) by the place that does my routine service. It's not TOO difficult, but if you F-up, that's a whole lot of re-doing on your shoulders, not thiers. Worth it for a complete re-decal job on an SS IMO.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Thanks Ric and Walt I will definitely not DIY this project since I have never done anything like this before and it really sounds like a pain in the stern. :lol:

Going to start my search in my zip to find a good place that can do the work for me. Walt you hit the nail on the head with the warranty and also if I screw one up they aren't sold separately and it was almost 400 dollars for the whole package if I remember what Terry charged me. There must be hundreds of these companies in the 305 area code what is a novice supposed to do. Ric good parts reference Thanks

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 12:37 pm

Jafo4U wrote:

Thanks Ric and Walt I will definitely not DIY this project since I have never done anything like this before and it really sounds like a pain in the stern. :lol:

Going to start my search in my zip to find a good place that can do the work for me. Walt you hit the nail on the head with the warranty and also if I screw one up they aren't sold separately and it was almost 400 dollars for the whole package if I remember what Terry charged me. There must be hundreds of these companies in the 305 area code what is a novice supposed to do. Ric good parts reference Thanks

Oh you're in Miami? Probably a couple thousand.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

No way it can cost that much! If that is the case I will be buying that liquid and sponge and doing it myself. The decals were less than 400 from what I remember.

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

I think he meant the number of companies available to do this work :lol:

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:38 pm

I'll just call my ex wife she lives in Sobe. I'm pretty sure her and a couple friends from work would do it clothing optional if ya want hahahaha

JDW250 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:39 pm

I'll 2nd Ric's suggestion to use a good semi-trailer shop. Given the SS graphics, you want somebody who does that kind of stuff every day, not a few times a year.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Clothing optional sounds like a plan, well the latest we are working on the boat right now, my cousin found a cracked spark plug wire and the spark plugs have seen better days can't figure out how to post a picture off my phone but they are nasty ,rusty too! They are Ac delco 12607234 I am headed to the auto parts to get a good pair of spark plugs and wires. Anyone put iridium spark plugs in their boat?

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:16 pm

Jafo4U wrote:

Clothing optional sounds like a plan, well the latest we are working on the boat right now, my cousin found a cracked spark plug wire and the spark plugs have seen better days can't figure out how to post a picture off my phone but they are nasty ,rusty too! They are Ac delco 12607234 I am headed to the auto parts to get a good pair of spark plugs and wires. Anyone put iridium spark plugs in their boat?

NGK Iridium are flipping amazing.. get those! Pick up a good set of 8mm plug wires while you're at it, stay away from the 7mm $5 (sold for $100) "marine" wires. Check out Summit Racing or Jegs. Any universal small block chevy non HEI wire set. Just get the matching ends. I think it's straight on one side, 90 on other. Rock auto might have some too. Use never-seeze on the plugs so they never rust in again.

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:34 pm

Jafo4U wrote:

No way it can cost that much! If that is the case I will be buying that liquid and sponge and doing it myself. The decals were less than 400 from what I remember.

Just do it,,,it aint that tough. I've done lots of vinyl in my day and actually enjoy it. As Ric said,Clean, Clean and more Clean. Any dirt however small will be seen for as long as they stay on the boat. ZERO wind also. I never waste money on that solution. A mild soap and water solution in a spray bottle works just as good.

John :mrgreen:

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Well just finished installing the new plugs and holy Jesus 4 broke while removing them on a 2008 boat :twisted:

!!!! Got a tool made to extract broken spark plugs at the auto parts store that was a gift from god it made it really easy! Going to pull my spark plugs every six months to avoid this hassle ever again.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Ric I am thinking of some 8mm Taylor's that is what I run on my car.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:41 pm

Jafo4U wrote:

Ric I am thinking of some 8mm Taylor's that is what I run on my car.

You have a small block chevy, you can choose from basically hundreds of wire sets for that engine. Lucky. Not many 4-bangers came with a dist cap and regular plugs. I use jeep 2.5 4-cly wires on my VP 3.0 and they fit okay and cost 1/10th what Sierra wants but there's nothing good out there. Next time I need wires I'm going to buy the tools and just make my own out of 8mm Taylor. The day I do that I'll also offer sets to the forum as they're just 10in/10in/10in/12in with both ends straight.

www.iFourWinns.com

Decal graphics installation

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