GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Stripe and Decal Application

Apply decals in a clean environment where dust and fibers will not interfere with proper adhesion. Perform the following steps in order to apply the decals:

  1. Clean the area where you will mount the decal.
  2. Use a suitable solvent such as flash naphtha or a mixture of 50 percent isopropyl alcohol and 50 percent water.

  3. Dry the area thoroughly.
  4. If there is a chip in the paint area, refinish the area and feather the area in.
  5. Warm the body surface and the decal to 27-38°C (80-100°F).
  6. You can apply most stripes and decals dry as long as this results in a bubble-free application.
  7. Use the Wet Method when the following apply:
  8. • When the stripe or decal wraps into the body openings.
    • When you mount the stripe or decal on a flexible surface.

Wet Method

  1. Use a wetting agent such as Dupont Duponal® WA or equivalent.
  2. Do not use a soap solution.

    Spray a mist of the solution onto the body area.

  3. Remove the backing from the decal by peeling the backing away.
  4. In hot, humid weather, spray the adhesive back of the decal with a mist of the wetting solution.

  5. Using a squeegee, start at the center of the decal and squeegee the decal onto the body. This removes any air bubbles and the wetting solution.
  6. Remove the premask from the decal by pulling the premask back.
  7. Do not lift the premask straight up.

  8. Go over the decal again with the squeegee.
  9. If air bubbles are still present, prick the air bubbles with a pin.
  10. Use the squeegee in order to remove air from the bubble.

Adhesive Retained Items

  1. Clean the area where you will mount the replacement item.
  2. Use a suitable solvent such as flash naphtha or a mixture of 50 percent isopropyl alcohol and 50 percent water.

  3. Dry the area thoroughly with a clean cloth.
  4. If there is a chip in the paint in the area, refinish the area and feather the area in.
  5. The body area, and the temperature of the item to be applied, must be at a temperature of 27°C (80°F) or 6°C (10°F) above the air temperature in the application area, whichever is higher.
  6. Do not install adhesive backed items at temperatures above 41°C (105°F).

    You may use infrared heat in order to warm the body panels to the specified temperature.

  7. Remove the backing by peeling the backing away from the item.
  8. Mount the item. Apply 155 N·m (35 lb) of even pressure for three seconds to the item in order to wet out at least 75 percent of the adhesive.
  9. If an emblem or name plate has a premask, remove the premask by pulling the premask back.
  10. Do not lift the premask straight up.