Meatball Application (and, NO, not with spaghetti!)

[Sharroll Celby]

Put my #57 meatballs (from Bob @ Operations Plus) on my car today...VERY easy process!!! I did buy a rubber roller from the arts and crafts store, and that made the task easy as, well, PIE!!! lol !!!

Just eye-balled the numbers for level and center, and I think they came out OK! Had to trim the trunk 'ball, to fit above the Cobra emblem.

[Jim Kellogg]

So, lets see some photos

Jim Kellogg (deciding if I want to add meatballs to my SPF)
Elmira, NY

[Bryan Wilson]

Used windex and a craft shop rubber roller to apply decals and meatballs from Finish line.


Cheers,
Bryan

[Tongue Pirate]

Yeah, pics n stuff

[Sharroll Celby]

Not good at adding pics YET! But these are static-cling vinyl, and you can take 'em off whenever.

[jmarsey]

Right on Edley! I was playing with mine too. I met Bob Shaw at Knott's a few weeks back. He's really a comedian at heart. Funny guy. He gave me a lesson on how to apply them in between joke telling. The biggest thing, after squeegee, is to make sure they dry really good on the car. Like 2 to 3 days before you really take the car out at speed. I'm thinking I'll do mine this weekend so they're dry for Thursdays trip up.

John

[Randy Rosenberg]

I've had meatballs on and off my SPF for years, and I've run 100's of open-track laps and never lost a meatball, even hitting 140 MPH down the front straight at Thunderhill many times.

I start this process a couple of days before open-track:

1. Dust and detail Cobra.
2. Mix in a spray bottle a few drops of Z7 Zaino Car Wash with water (I'm sure any car wash product will work).
3. Saturate the target area on the Cobra with the soapy water.
4. Saturate the back of the meatball with the soapy water.
5. Apply meatball and gently slide it into position.
6. Starting from the center, use the roller squeegy to remove the soapy water and bubbles from behind the meatball. Roll the squeegy about 4 or 5 inches at a time, and go around in a clock wise manner.
7. After each complete rotation, then roll the squeegy to the edge to get all of the water and bubbles out, and again go in a clock wise manner.
8. When done going around a couple of times, and you've gotten all of the bubbles out, and you're pleased with the way it looks, then lightly dry the meatball and surrounding areas.
9. Let Cobra sit for a day or two.

The soapy spray does two things: 1) it makes the meatball slide very easily without scratching the surface. 2) when dry the soapy water acts like a very light glue ("light" like a post-it).

I've used this process for years with never any problems at all.

When I want to remove them, I use the same process to stick them to the sides of my "garage" refrigerator.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Randy R...

[cindrrrr]

I was going to go over how to put these on, and my questions have been answerred for the most part. I do have a question for you Randy..does the soapy water leave any type of residue or mark on the paint when you take them off?
I think I am going to attempt mine tomorrow as it may take some time here!!

[jmarsey]

Randy,

Thank you for making the process very clear for folks, myself included.

John

[Sharroll Celby]

cindrrrr: you dont need soapy water at all; Yes, it makes it a little easier to "move" the meatballs around, but it isnt necessary.

Think of it as a small section of washing your Cobra; just rinse off the soapy water when you are through, and dry the car.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by cindrrrr

I was going to go over how to put these on, and my questions have been answerred for the most part. I do have a question for you Randy..does the soapy water leave any type of residue or mark on the paint when you take them off?
I think I am going to attempt mine tomorrow as it may take some time here!!

None, at all.

I have found that a very tiny line of dust will accumulate over time around the edge of the meatball. It's not noticable when the meatball is on, but when you remove it, you will see it. A squirt or two of detail spray (Z6) cleans it right up.

[Greg tripp]

Randy,
Thats exactly how i do it and it only takes me 30 minutes to put on 4 numbers and the vintage stickers! The ones that are fun are the team stripes. You have to cut them to fit the first time, Which Isn't easy! then get them lined up and contoured to the fenders. I noticed the dirt on the edge of the stickers when removed but nothing alittle z6 or z8 wouldn't take care of!

Greg

[cindrrrr]

thanks guys. It will be interesting to see my numbers on....it will only look racier.....this last week its been sitting in the trailer chanting ....."track time, track time"......