Dodge Nitro Hood Stripes Install

[rickaren]

Dodge Nitro Hood Stripes Install

August 27,2010

Having read my previous Thread concerning availability now of Dodge Nitro Detonator Type Custom Hood and Fender Strips, I have started another one involving just the installation of the first public set, on my 2007 Nitro R/T with previously install "Hockey Decal Stripe" . I can honestly say they could not be any decals easier to install! However placement could be problematic if care is not taken before the install. Elitelimit’s application instructions are superb as well as their placement diagram however I chose to be more focused on alignment of the bottom arches on the fender flairs THEN being parallel to the hood crease lines. I chose to create a painters tape template before the install to gain my preferred location. Others may just disregard my thoughts but the center lower (outside) hood crease line is really hard to use as a reference point that will determine the lower alignment to the strips to the fender arches. Again these are really easy to install yourself, but you could pay a local trim shop to install for maybe $100, if you wish. I am not a detailer, just an average Joe that has installed two decal sets in the last 20 years, both on my Nitro.


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This is the only area that needs to be cleaned for the decal install and I did use denatured alcohol this time purchased from Home Depot. Remember to also clean the inter hood lip and fender lip in this area too by raising the hood that will be used when you cut the decals in this area.

[rickaren]

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I placed the decal so that the bottom arches aligned with the fender flair arches and was also parallel with the two hood crease lines but not touching the outer one.

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I used the following measurements to receive the alignment and placement I desired. Yours could be different but these would be a good starting point.

TOP Rear of decal tape to rear of hood 16 3/16" (add 1/16 to decal)

BOTTOM EDGE of HOOD to rear of decal tape 14 3/4"(add 1/16 to decal)

Decal tape to front of fender vent 2 13/16" (add 1/16 to decal)

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After removing the paper backing (see wet application method) I sprayed the total area and the back of the decal set with the soap solution. Flipped over and aligned with my masking tape guide and started installing using an old credit card and fingers and later pealed away the transfer tape. Continue to spray as much as you need to. It was 77 degrees, perfect for this install in the garage.

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You should try and stretch the installed decal at the hood/fender line before cutting with a straight edge. Then wrapping any excess to the hood and fender lips, after opening the hood.

[rickaren]

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I found on my install that there was still too much body white showing between the fender and the hood viewed from the side. At least temporarily I just used 1/2 wide black electric tape in this area to cover this white area. The correct way is to mask it off aligned with the strips, and paint it flat black in my case.

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GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR INSTALL!

MORE PICTURES

[rickaren]

HOT TIP

Save that Klean Strip GREEN Denatured Alcohol to use as grease & wax remover. WOW it really works great (with a scrubber pad) not only on road tar but over-spray and factory adhesive. I decided to start detailing my Nitro and found that all door jams needed cleaning. This stuff really works better than anything else I have ever bought. Give it a try, you will have plenty left over from installing the decals.

[UN4GTBL]

Nice job!!

[ammory007]

well done

really nice work

[dhh3]

Where did you purchase your kit? I see your's are black. I wanted the Mopar ones, in graphite gray. I found out that this is the only color that Mopar offers. They are listed at $175/side - $350! Wow. I found 1 set on ebay. The seller was another Dodge dealer and he was selling at cost - $140/side, so I was able to get my dealer to match the price. These are a very elaborate kit, with a very fancy mounting jig. My dealer uses an Auto Trim Detailer to do this kind of work, because the techs don't like to do striping, especially the Nitro Hood. He happened to be there last Friday, and put them on for me, while I waited. He charged me $30, $15/side, and it took him about 1/2 hour. He told me that this was a very specific vinyl, with UV protection. Because it is a Mopar part, installed at the dealer, these are covered under my warranty, as if they were installed at the factory. I think it adds an aggressive look to the Nitro.

[rickaren]

Come on dhh3! Link was on first page of this Thread or do you just like to look at pictures? Ha Ha

How about $34.99 for flat black or $64.99 reflective silver or 9 other colors for a pair? I had these designed and received the first set!

Nitro Hood/Fender Stripes

Dodge Nitro Truck Parts MUSCLE HOOD Stripes Graphics Stickers Decal Kit

[dhh3]

I can't read; this is why I only look at threads with pictures! When I was looking for these, the ones I found on ebay were so cheap that I figured that they couldn't be pre-spaced and pre-cut. I figured I would get a roll, and be forced to cut and fit. So, it appears that I was taken advantage by Mopar and you are the victor on this one. Nice job. I like the idea of different colors. I was trying to figure out how to get two small red stripes to fit behind the "DODGE" emblem on the liftgate, to make it look like the new Dodge Logo.

[WilliamNicholson]

Hi! new guy here... i'm doing some mods on my truck and was lucky to land in this thread. So impress on that awesome and clean job you did in your hood! Want to have that same thing too. Well, by the way how much did you spent all in all for that?