Hood Bird/Paint Question.

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-09-2007, 08:47 PM

I just ordered this in black...
http://www.fourthcircledesigns.com/p...products_id=82
When I apply this I want to remove the clearcoat first. This way I can have a paint shop clearcoat over it to help protect and seal it in. Is color sanding easy enough if I take my time? I have no prior body shop experience. I would like to save some money, if possible, by having the paint shop just apply the clear coat. Or should I leave all of this to a pro.

**clg82** · 05-09-2007, 09:11 PM

i'd leave it to the pro's if you can afford it , IMO i think that looks tacky.

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-09-2007, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by clg82

i'd leave it to the pro's if you can afford it , IMO i think that looks tacky.

The bandit look is a little tacky, but my car is red and the bird will be black to match my other decals. I think it will look a lot better than black and gold.

**craig02ta** · 05-10-2007, 01:07 PM

damn that is just plain ugly

**third_shift|studios** · 05-10-2007, 03:58 PM

thats rad! have a pro do it man

**4get gto** · 05-10-2007, 04:13 PM

I installed a bird on a 79 Trans Am. It was put on after the base coat was layed down and the clear applied after.

I believe all they're (the body shop) is going to do with your hood is scuff the clearcoat, put down the bird and reclear..........

I think it will look great........

**Silver Streak** · 05-10-2007, 04:22 PM

Have the pros do it... I've always liked the look of the hood bird... prob would have one on mine.. if it weren't for the R/A... Let us know how it goes.

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-10-2007, 05:37 PM

Thanks for all of the input. I just got the vinyl decal today! It's HUGE. I laid it across the hood and if it looks half as good once it's clearcoated as it does now with a test fit I will be very pleased.
P.S. KITTvsKARR you're right, I don't think I would have considered this if I had the Ram Air hood.

**Silver Streak** · 05-10-2007, 05:41 PM

If you are the one putting it on... take your time.. get the hood as clean as possible... then take it from the center and slowly move outward to get rid of all the air bubbles....Good luck!

**02Hawk** · 05-11-2007, 07:05 AM

ok what any and every shop is gonna do is wet sand out the imperfections, and minor ships etc. Then there gonna scuff the whole hood with a paste and 3m grey scuff pad. Then apply the decal and clear the whole pannel. When you re-clear you dont actually take the clear coat off. You just scuff it with the gel and scuff pad. that way the new clear has something to "grab on to. Then after they clear make sure theres no dirt particles and then they do alil wet sanding and buff.

and yes I am a painter lol

**LS1_TA_2002** · 05-11-2007, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by 02Hawk

and yes I am a painter lol

Do you know, from experience, whether or not the vinyl will have any adverse reactions when clearcoated? Someone else posted that it may wrinkle the clearcoat. Thanks.

**02Hawk** · 05-11-2007, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by LS1_TA_2002

Do you know, from experience, whether or not the vinyl will have any adverse reactions when clearcoated? Someone else posted that it may wrinkle the clearcoat. Thanks.

Well depends on the chemical base of the clear coat it self. I have done it with PPG slow clear to my old car and had no problem. My best advice is to have the place take a scrap panel wether it be a hood or fender and spray base, then clear, then apply some vinyl, then more clear and see how there clear adherse to the vinyl to make sure it doesnt have any problems. But it all depends on the chemical compostion of the clear coat. I am not sure what it is but when I tried it with the performance clear from ppg it had adhesion problems. But performance clear is a faster catalyzed clear. But when I did it I layed down sealer, then base coat, then one layer of clear, then the decal, then another layer of clear. Hope this helps you guys.

**joejenkinsglass** · 05-11-2007, 07:18 PM

I would let the pros do it it would cost way more if it gets screwed up

**stevenm357** · 05-12-2007, 04:58 PM

Let the pro's do it.. it doesn't have to be sanded off you can add another coat or 2 of clear and nobody would know.

I think it looks a little tacky too. I would add some airbrushing. or something.

**02Hawk** · 05-12-2007, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by stevenm357

Let the pro's do it.. it doesn't have to be sanded off you can add another coat or 2 of clear and nobody would know.

I think it looks a little tacky too. I would add some airbrushing. or something.

yup no need to take it down the the substrate (fiberglass). Just need to sand down any imperfections (chips and what not).