How do you guys feel about stickers, vinyl decals, and magnets?

[tanha]

I've got a dilemma on my hands.



In April I had my track car painted white, because the old paint was oxidized and cracked beyond repair. It's a really nice paint job, no orange peel, no imperfections what so ever, and I love it.



Although I'm not racing, just doing HPDE (high performance driver education) events, the sanctioning body that I drive with requires that we have numbers on our cars. I hate the idea of putting anything on my new paint - or any paint, for that matter. I guess my options for numbers are vinyl decals or magnets. I thought about putting vinyl decal numbers in the rear quarter windows, but I do sometimes drive the car to and from events, and it would really block the view when I need to look over my shoulder.



Also, the owner of the body shop I had the car painted at asked if I'd put his logo somewhere on my car. He's a friend of a friend, so I'm at least considering it, although I think he'll understand if I decide not to.



So what do you guys think? Do vinyl decals do any damage to paint? I imagine the process of applying them could cause marring pretty easily, not to mention the area underneath won't be exposed to the sun and might look different when the decals are removed. On the other hand, I think magnets could outright scratch the paint. It feels like a lose - lose situation to me!

 

[Rocket]

I have some Vinyl stripes on my car. It didn't cause any marring when I installed them, but the fact that the sun doesn't come into contact with the paint under the vinyl could cause it to look different once they are pulled off. I don't know how long it would take before there would be a noticable change in the color but I had a set of stripes on for over a year and when I pulled them off to change colors there really wasn't a change that I could tell so who knows how long it would take. with your truck being white I think it shouldn't be too noticeable regardless

 

[mblgjr]

Duct Tape!



No, seriously though, I think magnets would be the way to go. However, I've seen them blow of at high speed. Seems to depend on the shape of the body and how flat they lay on the surface.



So long as you wipe the panel with a qd before you put them on, I don't think that they would scratch enough to speak of.



Some type of vinyl static-cling may be your best option to put in the glass on demo-days. You have the best of both worlds...lots of advertising, highly visible numbers and no scratches on the paint.

 

[tanha]

Well, I don't have much window space, if I put my numbers in the rear quarter windows, that takes up all the space I've got. I don't want to hinder my sight too much.



Here's a pic of the car, its a '91 Nissan Sentra SE-R. Usually the numbers are put on the door, but I believe I can put them anywhere on the car, so long as they are visible, and 10" tall.

 

[Old Man]

I used magnetic numbers and letters for years. They've stayed on at 140mph. You might want to pick up a Grassroots Motorsports magazine. Look for K&M Magnetics. They can supply you with everything you need and answer any questions. Great people to deal with,too. Good luck on the track!

 

[GearHead_1]

I've never used it but I've seen advertisements by Krylon. They now make a paint mask that you spray on, dries almost instantly and washes off with water. This might be something to look into. You could carry a stencil hit it with this paint and wash it clean after the event.

 

[Accumulator]

Great car for track days :xyxthumbs Those are true dual-purpose machines.



I'd put the numbers on the quarter glass and live with the obstruction for the little while it'll be on there. I don't think it'll obstruct so bad, you might be surprised. You'll just have to rely on the sideview mirrors- point them out way far to cover your blind spot, most people have them in too much.



No, I wouldn't let the painter put any logo. Any advertising he gets will come from you telling people who did it.



I just wouldn't put any of that stuff on my paint, ever, period, but that's just me.

 

[Teutonics]

:idea



Maybe you could use perforated vinyl numbers on the windows? This would at least allow some (better?) visibility than solid vinyl... :nixweiss

 

[tanha]

I used magnetic numbers and letters for years. They've stayed on at 140mph. You might want to pick up a Grassroots Motorsports magazine. Look for K&M Magnetics. They can supply you with everything you need and answer any questions. Great people to deal with,too. Good luck on the track!

I get Grassroots! I'll check that out, but I'm still wary of the magnets scratching my paint.

I've never used it but I've seen advertisements by Krylon. They now make a paint mask that you spray on, dries almost instantly and washes off with water. This might be something to look into. You could carry a stencil hit it with this paint and wash it clean after the event.

I really don't like that idea. I've seen that stuff for sale, I've seen the demo videos, but I still don't trust it not to stain my white paint. I'm waiting to hear from someone who's used it, but it seems like everyone's waiting for each other to be the guinea pig!

Great car for track days :xyxthumbs Those are true dual-purpose machines.



I'd put the numbers on the quarter glass and live with the obstruction for the little while it'll be on there. I don't think it'll obstruct so bad, you might be surprised. You'll just have to rely on the sideview mirrors- point them out way far to cover your blind spot, most people have them in too much.



No, I wouldn't let the painter put any logo. Any advertising he gets will come from you telling people who did it.



I just wouldn't put any of that stuff on my paint, ever, period, but that's just me.

Thanks, I'm really enjoying the car! I probably will put the numbers on the windows, it seems like the only safe thing to do. I don't like the idea of any logos or stickers on my paint, either. Some say I'm too picky, but I know I don't need to defend myself here!

:idea



Maybe you could use perforated vinyl numbers on the windows? This would at least allow some (better?) visibility than solid vinyl... :nixweiss

I don't think they're allowed. I'll have to double-check the rules, but I believe they are pretty specific about the clarity and contrast of the numbers, for safety reasons.