Installing GT Fader Stripes
by Octavio Diaz
and Mustang Sami
These fader stripes are similar to those on the Mustang GT/CS and are available from Steve (DarkfireGT)  fadingstripes@gmail.com.  

I don't want to pose as a GT/CS so I did not want the Ford OE stripes. I chose to install the stripes on the middle of the car similar to the GT/CS.  This install is very simple to do and takes about two hours to complete.  I was lucky to have my 8 year old daughter to help me.  She loves doing projects with her dad and I love having her with me.  If she didn't help I probably could have finished it in about an hour.

Tools:

  • Heat gun (or hair dryer)
  • Fishing line (about 12")
  • Masking tape (body shop green, don't use regular masking tape, it will leave residue)
  • Double sided body molding tape
  • Plastic squeegee or credit card
  • Goof off or other adhesive remover
  • Microfiber towels or rags
  • New razor blade or extremely sharp Exacto knife
  • Ruler
  • Plastic spray bottle 
  • 1/4 spoon of dish washing detergent (Dawn or similar)
  • Laser level optional
The first step is to remove the stock emblems.  Start by heating the emblems with a heat gun or hair dryer.  The goal is to loosen up the double sided tape holding them on.
The next step is to use some fishing line and to slide it back and forth behind the logo to cut through the double sided tape.  The actions is similar to flossing.  Don't expect to go all the way through from one side to the other, there are two plastic alignment pins.
When you're finished removing the GT emblems, wash the remaining residue with goof off or some similar cleaner.  When you're finished, wash the entire area where the stripe will be installed with dishwashing detergent and water.  The dishwashing detergent will remove any wax that you may have on the car.  When you're done, dry the car.
The Stripes measure 4".  The next step is to mark where the top of the strip will rest.  Place the GT emblem back on the car temporarily and measure 2" up from the center of the horizontal bar on the G.  Place a piece of tape at this point.
The stripe should be parallel to the horizontal line on the top of the fender.  Note that this fender line is not level to the ground so don't waste your time trying to make it level.  I wasted about an hour trying to figure out why the masking tape looked crooked even though I had used a level to install it.  From the fender line, measure down to the tape.  In my case it was 3" from the fender line to the top of the tape.  
While maintaining the same distance from the fenderline, run a piece of tape from the wheel well to the end of the door.  
If you want to make sure that the line is straight, you can use a laser level to check the alignment of the bottom of the masking tape.  Just remember that it is not going to be level.
Now we're ready to start laying down the stripe.  Spray the car down with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of dish washing detergent and 12 oz of water.  This is used as a weeting solution.  The tape will float ontop of this liquid and allow you to slide it into place.  
Separate the paper from the stripe and lay it down on the car aligning the top stripe below the masking tape.  Use a plastic squeegee or a credit card to squeeze all of the air bubbles out.  Let the stripes dry.  Remove the vinyl transfer rate very slowly.  Dont worry if the vinyl stripe starts to come up, just hold it down with your squeegee and lay it back down ontop  of the car.   Use the soap solution to lubricate the stripe and lay it back down.
When you 're finished removing the transfer tape, go over the entire strip making sure it is properly aligned and there are no large bubbles.  The vinyl stripe will float easily on the soap solution.  Once it is completely in place, let it dry. Don't worry too much about small bubbles, they will lay down as the stripes dry.
Once the stripes are fairly dry, trim the stripe at the door edge, along the front wheel  line and cut an X where the alignment pin holes are.  Use a very sharp knife  and be very careful not to apply too much pressure, you don't want to cut into the paint.  Open the door and fold the stripe over the edge of the door and the fender.  You need to do this before the stripe is completely dry.  If it has dried too much, use the soap solution sparingly to lay it back down.
Let the stripe dry completely in the sun.  If there are small air bubbles, they will smooth out as the vinyl dries.
While the stripes are drying, place some double sided tape all around the bottom of the GT logo.  Use a sharp knife to trim the tape so that none of it shows.  When everything is dry, remove the backing from the double sided tape and install the emblems.