Installing Carrera Side Script Decals

[CARRERIC]

Hi guys,

Need some assistance. I just bought a red pair of Carrera side script decals from (GT Racing) for my 75 911 Carrera Blk/Blk. My car originaly came from factory with deals deleted.

The decals have both sides covered with protective paper. The only odd thing I found was the protective paper on the outside "face side" (no glue) is very difficult to peel away from the decal. Almost as if you might stretch the decal.

My questions are:

1.) Is it better to install decals with water and rubbing alchahol mixture in spray bottle, or install decals dry.

2.) Do I peel off the protective paper on the inside (Glue Side) first and install, and then peel the protective paper off the outside after?

Any suggetions and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Eric

[78silversc]

My brother-in-law owned a sign business and I have plenty of experience helping him install decals on everything from vehicles to aluminum billboards. (whoooopie!)
Have the following handy:

The "protective paper" on the the front (viewed side) of the decal is usually what is called mask. Basically a tape designed to hold the lettering in place while you peel off the paper off the "sticky" side of the decal.

Before peeling off paper to expose the "sticky" side of lettering,
you might need a way to mark the exact location of the lettering (unless you are going to "eye" it...not recommended) We used to measure off of something (rocker panel? maybe) and then use a long ruler to draw a line with a grease pencil. (This did no damage to paint and was easy to remove using hand soap).
WE would also measure and mark "center".

Once this is done you can the find the center point of the lettering by folding it in half and creasing it lightly (this will have no effect on the lettering once installed. Then, peel the paper off of the "sticky side" of the lettering to expose it.

Next, spray the area the lettering will be applied to with a mild solution of soap and water from a spray bottle. (My brother-in-law used to spend lot's of $ on expensive "wetting" agents, but found a spray bottle filled with water and a sqirt of soap or two worked just as well. If it is very hot outside during your installation, use more solution...soak the area well...if it is just warm or cooler use less soapy water solution.

Then it's a very simple task to line up the center point of your lettering witht he center point you marked on your car AND to line up the bottom of the lettering with the line you drew with the grease pencil. Once you are satisfied with thte location simply apply light pressure with your hands to the sticker to fix into place.

Next get a squeegee ( a flat plastic tool a little bigger than a box of cigarettes) ...(if you don't have on of these find something with smooth edges and a littel "give" to it. and, starting from the center, smooth out the the edges applying a little more pressure with each stroke.

And here is a little trick:
Once the lettering is applied to your satisfaction spray the mask covering the lettering generously with the soapy water solution. Let it sit for a minute or two. Then starting at one end of the lettering slowly pull the mask from the lettering. Keep the hand that is pulling it close the the body of the vehicle to create the maximum angle as you pull...it should come of fairly easily.
Then enjoy !!

It is really not as hard as the length of this post would lead you to believe. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know. Hell, if your near New Jersey, stop by and I'll help you install them!

Larry

[78silversc]

one other thing that might be helpful....
I am not sure how long the lettering is. If it is long and you have noone to help you install it, you can always install it in two pieces. To do so you must have the center point marked on the car and marked on the "mask" side of the lettering, either with a grease pencil or by folding a small crease into it.
Once this is done cut the lettering in half just AFTER the first letter to the right of the center point. (I usually cut a "wiggly" line so it is easy to match back up) Then install the left side of the lettering on your car matching the center mark of the lettering mask and the grease pencil center mark on the car. Then just take the second half of the lettering and match the cut in the tape to get the proper spacing between letters and line up the bottom of the lettering with the grease pencil line as normal.

[carnut169]

Do I hear the making of another tech article....
Nice post Larry!

[78silversc]

LOL Sorry carnut169 I can't stop laughing!

JohnWalker, EarlySMan, Jack Olsen...all of these guys (and many more) are 911 tech gods....

Me? I know how to install stickers! LOL!

[CARRERIC]

Larry,

Your the person I was looking for! Thanks for you reply it was very informative and provided answers to alot of my quetions.

The decal is the length of the rocker and goes from the front wheel well to the rear wheel well. It's supposed to be a one piece stripe with script in the middle. I imagine I would have to cut it with a straight edged razor around the front and rear of the door gap after i position it and remove mask???

I will have another person helping me. And the weather will be very hot in Miami during the installation.

I'm trying to find a picture so I can post it.

ERIC

[CARRERIC]

Picture of 911 with Carrera stripe.

[CARRERIC]

Larry, this is my car without the stripe.

[Jim T]

Originally posted by ERIC_75

My questions are:

1.) Is it better to install decals with water and rubbing alchahol mixture in spray bottle, or install decals dry.

2.) Do I peel off the protective paper on the inside (Glue Side) first and install, and then peel the protective paper off the outside after?

Any suggetions and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Eric

It would be impossible to do a good job installing the sticker if you do it dry. You gotta wet it down and wet it down good, so you can move it around, get the air bubbles out, etc. There is absolutely no downside to wetting it down.

I'd use a light dishsoap and water solution instead of an alcohol and water solution. You won't get enough movement with alcohol. The soap solution will dry just fine and you will have great adhesion.

I'd say yes to your #2.

[78silversc]

Eric
Beautiful car!

Since it is a script you might want to install in one piece..which should not be a problem with help. However it does look to me as if the there are "breaks" in the script where the lettering, (example the "r's") break the solid line of the stripe providing a natural place to cut to install in 2 or more pieces.

I don't know how much extra black stripe they provide on the ends to "cheat it forward or backwords a bit if necessary, but if there is enough it looks like you want to put the edge of the "C" right at the seam of the front of the door. And it also looks like this leaves very little material to cut at the door seam where the "a" lands.

We always made the cut with a super sharp exacto knife while the mask was still on. The reason for this is if you attempt to remove the mask while the lettering bridges the door gap it will tend to pull the vinyl that is not sticking to car (the part that bridges the gap) and this can potentially cause the lettering to lift or worse stretch.

Also we always made ONE cut right in the center of the gap...this way you'll have an 1/8" of an inch on either side to wrap around the door so the black continues when looking from the rear quarter of the car forward.

Make sure the car is clean and REMOVE any wax before installing the lettering !

And... since it will be hot when you do it...try doing it in a garage if you can away from direct sunlight and do not be afraid to use lots of the soapy water solution, it gets removed when you squeegee the lettering down.

If you see a few minor bubbles after the install do NOT try to push them down or squeegee them you will stretch the lettering...just let it bake in the sun and the vinyl will shrink a tiny little bit removing all bubbles by itself.

Good luck...make sure to post some after pictures!

[jwetering]

I would like to know where you got the decals from...and how much they cost. My 1978 SC is on it's way to becoming a 1974 Carrera clone....

[Laura-Hergesheimer MotorS]

If I may add my .02,

MASKING TAPE IS YOUR FRIEND !!!!!

I. too, do this for a living, and I'll add a few tips. Wash area with alcohol, no wax or windex can be left on surface. Position your graphic where you want it or according to the factory manual.

Left door "C' starts 1 cm behind the forward door edge.
Right door end of letter a at forward door edge,
bottom of stripe 5 cm from bottom of door.

When you have it placed, tape a "hinge" on the top of decal, from one end to the other. (hinge is two strips of 3/4 or 1" masking tape overlapping each other by 1/2") When this is securely in place, you can cut the decal in several workable pieces. If you carefully look at the script you can cut it letter by letter by cutting thru the middle of the letter where the vinyl is absent. You are only placing a 6" piece at a time so you can easily work with it dry. Peel off each piece of backing (the thicker shiny material) leaving the graphic attached to the top transfer tape. The "hinge" holds it in place and firmly smooth down from top to bottom using a credit card or squeegee. Remove transfer tape and masking tape together.

I have done many, many of these Carrera stripes and this makes it real easy. Have patience, a Corona or two and then start.

[Jack Olsen]

I found a good source for the decals. Email a guy named Cameron Smith at a company called Design Driven.

cameron@designdriven.com.au

That's right. He's in Australia. But for US$83, including shipping, he'll send you a complete set -- including the front and rear bumper stripes -- and good instructions. He'll send them in absolutely any color you want.

Most kits include the two side decals, the Porsche lettering and Carrera RS lettering for the decklid, and that's it. His set includes the stripes for the bumpers, which also serve as patch material if you later lose a piece of the decal.

Very fast shipping, and he takes paypal, too.

[Saffs]

Eric,
Just out of interest, is you 2.7 Carrera a US spec one with CIS, or a Euro one with the 210 bhp MFI engine? I'm guessing it's the former as you car looks US spec.
Lovely car!

[CARRERIC]

Yes my car is a US spec 75 Carrera C.A. car. The car had every available option including limited slip diff. Just took off all the smog plus thermals and replaced withh SSI's.

Jack, that sounds like a great deal on the decals. I wish I knew before I bought mine from GT-Racing. Only got the two side stripes for $99.00 and no installation instructions. But Larry and Laura gave me some very good guidance



Eric

[82SC]

wow did you buy it from Investment Cars??? on Washington???

I think your car looks sweet (could use the european side marker covers though )...

I have heard shady things about Investment Cars...hope you did well and got a good buy...I looked at a coupe car there too when I was looking...where did you get the paint done???

I am shopping for a good paint shop in So Cal

MJ

[CARRERIC]

Hello MJ,

Yes I bought the car from Irving at Investment cars. I feel I did get a good deal. I live in Miami and couldn't go out to see the car. I had a local C.A. shop inspect. When I recieved the car it was about the condition that was described by Irving, some things were better some worse. Overall I was extremely happy. The paint was already done, an older repaint still in fair condition. However the car was still very original. Even have the original windiw sticker from Beverley Hills Porsche.

ES

[CARRERIC]

MJ, that was Investment cars on Santa Monica Boulevard, in Santa Monica!

[82SC]

oops yeah on santa monica...looks great I am glad you did well on the buy!!!!

MJ