September 2020
So now The hardtop is completed and test driven a few hundred miles at all speeds but still needs Black Stripes. Its two weeks before the OC Endless Summer Hot Rod show and I need good looking stripes"......... and fast!
No time to take it to a bodyshop with an unknown completion date!
So.... what does a home builder do? He orders 3M gloss black film wrap material and installs the two black stripes himself! Ive never done this before..... how hard can this be?
Step 0. - Make sure wife is out of the house for a few hours
Step 1- Need a clean mostly dust free work area. (Family Room off the garage)
Step 2 - Need supports to position the hardtop at the right height and angle. The Couch ! Perfect.
Step 3 - use a nice drop cloth........ Asian carpet....? Perfect!!
Step 4 - Measure, Measure, Measure !
Step 4.- Learn the install process, use lots of liquid installing the film.
Not surprisingly the Distinctness of Image (DOI) for the black film can’t compare ( inferior) to the painted stripes on the body. The orange peel is noticeable when using films. But I will circle back and get the stripes painted on someday when it’s the only item that still bugs me. From 5 feet it looks similar to production car orange peel you find out there.