We began our installation...
We began our installation by cleaning the car to prevent any dirt from contaminating our vinyl.
While the stuff appears thick,...
While the stuff appears thick, and would hide a lot of anomalous material, it is actually quite thin, and, like the story of the Princess and the Pea, the slightest bump is easily apparent.
While there is something to be said for having a nice, clean car, any Oxford White Mustang will benefit from an infusion of color. With its Steeda 17x9-inch wheels and wicked Cervini's Auto Designs Stalker body kit, the Ice Box was looking better than ever, but we wanted to go one step further by adding some flash to the drab white pony.
Although the Ice Box is a magazine project car, it is still a daily driver, so we had no intention of going over the top by adding a wild custom paint job to it. Instead, we opted for subtle, but invigorating vinyl graphics by Vinyl Decision of New Egypt, New Jersey. Vinyl graphics can liven up any vehicle and when, or if, you get tired of them, you can peel them off and start fresh. This is far more reasonable than having the car repainted, which is something to consider if your vehicle is relatively new.
Choosing your vinyl package can be quite a lot of fun, as there are hundreds of designs available. Vinyl Decision uses
Aurora Graphics' designs, which we narrowed down to about ten or so. From there, we decided on the pattern in the photos, and for no particular reason, opted for red, blue and black as our colors.
Once Vinyl Decision received the program from Aurora Graphics, its computer-controlled machines did the rest. Each color and/or graphic is printed separately, and all have registration dots that are transferred to the vehicle. Once the first pattern is put onto the vehicle, the other patterns are lined up according to these dots. This takes most of the guesswork out of the equation, and assures the design you chose is reproduced properly on the vehicle.
While this job can be accomplished by an amateur, it is recommended you have a professional do it. Especially if the graphics you have chosen are rather complicated. Professional installers have a lot of experience working with vinyl, and this pays off in the long run. But if you have a truckload of patience and a few friends to help, it is possible to do it yourself. If your pony is in need of some visual pop, give Vinyl Decision a call, and see what they can do for you.
This Splash concentrate is...
This Splash concentrate is sold by the vinyl company. It was mixed with the appropriate amount of water and then sprayed liberally on the car and the graphic. This allows some time to position the vinyl, before it adheres to the vehicle. Dish soap and water will also work in a pinch. Here, Christina Winter, hoses down the vinyl in preparation before applying it to the car.
The checkered flag was the...
The checkered flag was the first item to be put on. The graphics are not designed with a particular car in mind, so fitting them around and on the various curves and textures of the car may require some fine-tuning. The registration dots were used to get a general idea and starting point.
Once the graphic is in the...
Once the graphic is in the desired location, the lubrication solution was squeezed from beneath the vinyl. Depending on the contour, Christina used a roller or a plastic body filler spreader to accomplis this.
When using such a long graphic,...
When using such a long graphic, it is sometimes easier to cut it as we did here at the door seam. We had to stand back from the car to make sure the lines are straight.
Cuts may also be made where...
Cuts may also be made where there are protrusions, like the door handle. The vinyl bends rather easily, but the paper it's on does not.
Next, we began to slowly peel...
Next, we began to slowly peel the paper from the vehicle. Graphics that include pointed shapes like ours require extra care, as they are more prone to pull up with the paper.
Once you have all of the vinyl...
Once you have all of the vinyl on the vehicle, you may have to mold it to fit various contours. Our graphics needed to be modified around the door handles, keyhole, and side scoops.
With the black flag on, we...
With the black flag on, we proceeded with our next stripe. This, and the following one, was the easy part of the installation, as they were only a single stripe.
Use the registration dots...
Use the registration dots to get a general idea of where it should be positioned, then modify to your taste and the vehicle's contours. It is also good to measure here and there to ensure uniformity.
The registration dots are...
The registration dots are spaced along the graphic, and are a big help when doing something that runs the length of the vehicle.
Using the plastic paddle,...
Using the plastic paddle, we carefully squeegeed the air and water from the vinyl. This must be done slowly, as there is the chance of pulling up the vinyl.
A heat gun is also very handy,...
A heat gun is also very handy, especially on contours. It softens up the vinyl and allows it to stretch when it normally wouldn't. The heat also helps dry the solution behind the vinyl.
These are some of the sketches...
These are some of the sketches we had to choose from. Ultimately, we decided on the checkered flag, as it seemed to work with the bodylines the best.
No longer does the Icebox...
No longer does the Icebox suffer from bland, Oxford White paint. The result is a racy but not overstated look. Combined with the Cervini's Auto Designs Stalker body kit and the massive Vortech horsepower, this is one mean Mustang.