Notice: Striping material highlights vehicle surface imperfection. All dings, rough metal, paint defects and uneven two-tone paint breaklines must be eliminated before stripe/decal application. Freshly painted surfaces must be allowed to dry thoroughly before installing stripe or decal. Residual solvents in fresh painted surfaces can lead to subsequent blistering problems if stripe or decal is applied before complete release of solvents.

Stripes and decals adhere to a painted surface using pressure sensitive adhesive.

Use a wetting solution in order to aid installation when lifting or positioning a stripe or a decal. A wetting solution ensures a better bond between the stripe or the decal and the panel assembly.

Stripe or decal replacement involving collision damage or damage to an underlying painted surface, requires metal repair and/or refinish operations before you install the stripe or the decal.

Important: Do not apply decals when the body surface and decal temperatures are below 21°C (70°F).

Maintain body and decal surfaces between 21°C - 38°C (70°F - 100°F) during installation. Use auxiliary heat sources in order to warm the body surfaces and the decals if the temperature is below 21°C (70°F).

Important: Use the WET method in order to apply stripes or decals on flexible surfaces (fascias, etc.). This reduces the formation of bubbles under the decal due to the outgassing potential of the flexible materials.

Stripes and decals may be applied dry. If this does not result in a consistent bubble free application, use the wet method as in the case of large graphics packages.

The following equipment and materials are needed when you make a quality stripe or decal installation. Equivalent products may be used:

1. Remove the necessary molding or trim panel.

Notice: Use of harsh chemicals when cleaning can damage exterior lamps. Suggested cleaners are a mild soap and water, or Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) Naptha. VM&P Naptha is a specific type of naptha and should not be substituted by any other naptha.

2. Wash and clean the following areas as required with Liquid Wash and Wax GM P/N 1052870 or an equivalent:

•	The repair surfaces

•	The adjacent panel

•	The openings

3. Remove the following components:

•	The molding attaching clips

•	The handles

•	The sidemarker reflector

•	Other stripe or decal overlapping components

Notice: To avoid damaging the paint finish, do not use pointed or sharp instruments to remove the stripe or the decal.

4. Remove the stripe or the decal. Start at one edge and peel the stripe or the decal from the panel surface.

The application of heat to the stripe or the decal aids in removal.

5. Remove the traces of the adhesive residue from the painted surfaces with either of the following products:

•	Silicone, wax and grease remover

•	Varnish Makers and Painter (VM&P) Naphtha

Notice: To prevent possible vehicle, stripe or decal damage, always refer to manufacturer's packaged instructions.

Important: If the area where the stripe or the decal is to be applied has been refinished, remove any imperfections that may show through the stripe or the decal.

1. Prepare the surface:

1.1.	Clean the painted surface using a silicone, wax and grease remover.

1.2.	Use a 50/50 mixture by volume of isopropyl alcohol and water in order to clean the area where the stripe or the decal will be applied.

1.3.	Wipe the panel surface with a clean, lint-free cloth while the mixture is still wet.

1.4.	Allow the panel surface to dry.

2. Apply a wetting solution to the area where the stripe or the decal is to be installed.

Important: Do not touch the adhesive backing of the stripes.

3. Put wetting solution on the adhesive side of the stripe or the decal.

Remove the backing material of the stripe or the decal as needed.

4. Press the stripe or the decal to the panel.

The wetting solution allows movement of the stripe or the decal for proper positioning.

4.1.	Working from the center where possible, squeegee the stripe or the decal into position.

Application of additional wetting solution may be needed in order to ease installation of the stripe or the decal. Application of a soapy wetting solution on the top side of the stripe or the decal eases the pull of the squeegee and helps eliminate damage to the stripe or the decal.

4.2.	Apply heat to the stripe or the decal at recessed areas. Press the stripe or the decal into the recess in order to obtain a firm bond.

4.3.	Inspect the stripe or the decal from a critical angle. Use adequate light reflection in order to detect any irregularities that may have developed during installation.

Important: Do not use a razor blade or a knife edge.

4.4.	Pierce the stripe or the decal with one of the following tools in order to remove all air bubbles:

•	Safety pin

•

Needle

•	Tool with the same size piercing tip

4.5.	Pierce the bubble on the outer edge and force the air out from the opposite edge using the blade of the squeegee.

5. Install the previously removed components.
6. Clean the components as required.