Question For You Vinyl Experts

[NAndrews33]

So I installed the Ford branded rainguards. They flat out sucked and were not molded right. It messed up my B Post Decals. I have a bubble/stretch mark on the passengers side due to the guard pushing on the vinyl decal. Is this something that can be fixed with some heat or does it need total replacement to fix?
P.S. I'm getting the drivers side replaced due it ripping when the guards were installed.

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[2020FRL]

+1 on replace or remove ... water will get in there and rust it out.

 

[NAndrews33]

oh, you done dicked that up.....

i would say replace it, cuz its gonna get worse over time

have you considered removing them altogether?

I like the look of the blackout between the windows especiallywith the tint. I thought about that but my drivers side (thats already getting replaced this week), is scratched under the paint so no deal for me. The pictures might not show it, but the passenger decal is not scratched or ripped. It's kinda wrinkled or stretched out if that makes sense.

 

[NAndrews33]

+1 on replace or remove ... water will get in there and rust it out.

I was going to try to apply some heat and smooth it out if I could since it didn't rip yet...

 

[2020FRL]

I was going to try to apply some heat and smooth it out if I could since it didn't rip yet...

From the enlarged pic, I'd say it's torn, but, I've been wrong before.

 

[treimche]

If you haven't already, you can try to warm the vinyl and then press on it with your finger or fingernail and see if you can flatten it out. Vinyl is very forgiving stuff. Even if the vinyl was warmed by the sun you may be able to manipulate it just enough to smooth it out. If not, just go visit a local vinyl shop or sign company and they could easily remove and replace.

 

[NAndrews33]

If you haven't already, you can try to warm the vinyl and then press on it with your finger or fingernail and see if you can flatten it out. Vinyl is very forgiving stuff. Even if the vinyl was warmed by the sun you may be able to manipulate it just enough to smooth it out. If not, just go visit a local vinyl shop or sign company and they could easily remove and replace.

That was my initial thoughts. I'm going to give it a shot before replacing. Worse case, I can have the dealer attempt something when the drivers side gets done Thursday. I do have the decal for the passengers side but it doesn't seem that sticky at the edges so it might not be good to use.

 

[Rocketeer61]

As somebody who has spent 20+ years putting vinyl on everything from plate glass to aircraft, I can say with a fair degree of certainty that you can't satisfactorily "fix" that. You'll be money, time and especially frustration ahead by just redoing it.

 

[NAndrews33]

As somebody who has spent 20+ years putting vinyl on everything from plate glass to aircraft, I can say with a fair degree of certainty that you can't satisfactorily "fix" that. You'll be money, time and especially frustration ahead by just redoing it.

So if I go ahead and replace it, any tips or suggestions if I diy. I'd rather not take it to the dealer again. The decal looks pretty straightforward as its all notched out so placement should be pretty easy. I guess the hardest part would be taking the window gasket off and putting back let alone getting no bubbles in the vinyl.

 

[2020FRL]

So if I go ahead and replace it, any tips or suggestions if I diy. I'd rather not take it to the dealer again. The decal looks pretty straightforward as its all notched out so placement should be pretty easy. I guess the hardest part would be taking the window gasket off and putting back let alone getting no bubbles in the vinyl.

If it were me, I'd take it to a pro ... a little piece of dust/dirt, a hair, air bubbles, anything can make a perfectly aligned install look like garbage. I think in the long run, like previously stated, you'll save time, money and frustration.

 

[NAndrews33]

Update: So apparently the Ford body shop has to dismantle my door panel, remove mirror, and window molding to replace the vinyl decal. For both front doors to be replaced, $407 including tax and about 3hrs worth of labor. Of course I caved in since I don't trust myself to do it. Should've put the tape on rainguards back?

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