I'd like to contrast the dark green color of my RX-8 with something a little brighter, and I saw some advertisements for decal-based car graphics, such as those at http://www.modernimage.net/

Has anyone actually applied any of these larger graphics-oriented decals (either to their RX-8 or to some other car)? I realize it's not the same as getting real custom paint, and in the old days, decals would basically suck ***. I'm wondering if the technology's improved significantly, or if this is a somewhat decent alternative to a more expensive custom paint job?

...Paul

 

Please don't do it.

 

your nutz

 

won't make your car go any faster no matter how many graphics or stickers you put on your car :D

 

Technology always improves. There are several different grades of automotive vinyl that will last between 3 and 9 years. Unfortunately it can be impossible to tell them apart when purchasing.

Two things to keep in mind:
1. Paint under the vinyl will not fade. Removing the vinyl after even one year will show a noticable difference.
2. Large vinyl pieces are hard to fit over compound curves and care must be taken to avoid air bubbles. Professional shops use special sprays that allow them to position the vinyl and eliminate air bubbles.
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Infants zoloft

 

better link scrapvinyl.com (edit) but why? the car looks great with out copMagnets on it.

 

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about...

So... Do those guys produce a good quality product?

...Paul

 

I had modern image graphics on my civic

It cost anywhere from 50 to 300 bucks depending on design

Once I took them off after 2 years I had to repaint the whole car.

I will never put vinyl graphics on a CAR AGAIN

 

Mikeb, what exactly was the reason for repainting? Was it the paint fade I mentioned earlier, or a different reason?
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HAWAII DISPENSARIES

 

the paint totally faded and peeled

 

Why did you take them off in the first place? Did the vinyl graphics fade/peel/whatever? Or were you just bored with them?

I seem to have an ongoing 3.5 years pattern to my car buying. If the graphics still look decent after 3.5 years, it probably wouldn't be a big deal to me, since I'd likely just trade it in for a new car (or consider, at that point, a complete repaint anyway)...

But if they don't last that long, then the whole 'fade' issue is something to consider...

...Paul

 

FYI, I sent Scrap Vinyl (www.scrapvinyl.com, as was recommended earlier) some questions, and thought I'd share some of the answers:

I asked about the life expectancy of the graphics:

"The graphics will last 5-7 years. Graphics will preserve the paint However, they are easily removed with a heat gun. Then you can buff the paint to smooth over the preserved paint... It usually blends real nice."

I asked how easy they were to install by a complete novice:

"The graphics are easy to install. It should take you about 30 minutes to one hour depending on the kit. We will send articulate directions."

I asked about guarantees/warranties:

"All graphics are guarenteed [sic] at least 5 years durability."

Definitely sounds cool, and they've got some rockin' designs. I'm thinking of white "tribal" markings on my Nordic Green as a nice contrast... Maybe purple outline or drop shadow?

...Paul

 

I took them off because i wanted a new look and paint color on my last car at that time

I would skip the graphics if I was you.

 

Stickers.... on a $30k car? Nah.

 

If you truly want a vinyl for your car, my suggestion would be something small and tasteful, like Polaks rx8club decal, or if you are in a club, maybe a small decal with your club logo, but going overboard is not necessary, even the tail light decal, is quite eyecatching, yet small, and not gaudy or flashy.

 

I don't necessarily want vinyl. What I want is a tribal design in white on the sides, to contrast with the dark green... I'd get it painted, but not sure I have the cash, definitely don't have the talent to paint it, and I don't (yet) know of any good local automotive artists to paint it for me...

So it's just an option I'm exploring at the moment.

...Paul

 

Hi,

My name is Chris Parish I own Ninethirteen Motorsports custom vinyl graphics. We can custom design anything you want or if you are interested in a current tribal design I have about 600 to choose from. I would be more than happy to help you with selecting a design and a color that would compliment your ride. E-mail or PM me for more details.

Thanks

ninethirteenms@hotmail.com

 

VIS did it. On all of their cars. Some over $100k.

 

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Originally posted by SHOWOFF
VIS did it. On all of their cars. Some over $100k.
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People around the world commit suicide every day, that still doesnt make it a good idea. Forget the stickers, thats what God invented paint for. Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.

 

i hear if its 30" wide you'll get a 25HP increase at the wheels

...guys keep the cars pure cmon

 

IMO it can look either worrible or good depending on the design and color. Yeah, nice graphics don't add horsepower, but neither do big rims, clear corners, etc...I happen to like those too. Here are a couple of pics that show graphics that accent the car nicely. The first is etched and graphite on an Accord we did and the second is our Eclipse (she naked now in the show getting the kit molded and painted). To each his/her own.

 

vinyl=windows
paint=body

just my 2 cents =())

 

hmm that first site uses a civic to display all their designs

 

Just thought I'd drop my 2 cents as well. Having a lot of decals on car does attract a lot of cops. In addition, having a car like in Rx8 is not exactly your normal Camry. I have seen some really nice jobs on cars but keep in mind, in the long run, the paint under the decals does not fade. People in the show scene only put decals on their paint because of point related reasons/obligations due to sponors. Otherwise, they keep decals on the windows because they know of the trouble that comes with taking it off of paint.

Really matters what your into. After all, it's your 8. Just make sure you post some pictures when your done! GL and keep us updated...

 

I install auto graphic kits on cars everyday
i sell them my company is called digital image auto graphics if you are insterested email me or go to digitalimagegraphics.com we are getting ready to put new graphics up