Hood Decal- Yeah or Nay?

[TheWolf]

I like the hood graphic on every color, just not as noticeable on black. Don't get the Ford option, go aftermarket but have it come all the way down to the grill and also do a stripe on the bumper to match, just like Sonoma did on her first truck (RIP white Raptor).


Since mine is a black SE, and it has the SE bed graphic instead of the matte black, I went with a smaller graphic that ties in with the bed graphic.

 

[TBONE21]

If that were true there would be a lot of pissed off raptor owners right now.

First off, even the factory installs vinyl. If it ruined the paint I doubt they'd do it.

Secondly, it's going to look bad till you give it a good wash/wax and get rid of the leftover glue residue. After that it should look mint... Or as good as it did when the vinyl first went on, anyway.

Third (directed at the op), whatever you do, DON'T get the factory vinyl. There's nothing wrong with it other than the fact that it is outrageously over priced! I did a full custom hood wrap and large custom cut graphics down both sides, installed, for less than the price of the factory hood wrap. Even if you like the design of the factory graphics best, do yourself a favor and talk to the forum vendor Designs and Signs. They can match it and that's $600 or better left in your pocket for other mods! ;-)

I think I am going to take your advise and contact Designs and Signs to get some decals made then. Would be nice to have them on the truck.

 

[JuggNuttz]

i have it and i love it. i think it really makes the truck "pop" just that much more. now, i would say go with aftermarket, since i think the 10-11 hood graphics were much better looking with the cut out so the Raptor in the graphic is the color of your paint. i dont like the all black of the newer ones. IMO ofcourse.

 

[oplersx]

I like hood decal but not at factory price..

strong sun light, so color is a bit off, looks much better in person

 

[Raw Horsepower]

Looks great on my white truck, plus you never get glare off the hood. Since I ordered near invoice, I got the factory sticker, but aftermarket lets you customize to your liking.

 

[jdruzik]

I have a Oxford White without the hood graphics and I never have any glare, even when driving directly into the sun at dusk... What I would be concerned with is the longevity. Will it fade? Will the paint under it have a different color if it is taken off in the future? I'm just not a fan of vinyl on trucks or cars. When I had a 1969 Mach I, it's hood was blacked out but it was painted. Why didn't they do that? I know, I know, that was standard and didn't cost any more money while Ford can charge $900 for a sticker. All things considered, it just doesn't work for me...

 

[Mad Max]

Based on my experience removing Ford decals that were left on for several years... the decals don't hurt the paint, it protects it. Problem is...the exposed paint, depending on driving conditions, weather exposure, care, etc...may fade, whereas the covered area will still look new where the decal was.

 

[triggerfish]

Based on my experience removing Ford decals that were left on for several years... the decals don't hurt the paint, it protects it. Problem is...the exposed paint, depending on driving conditions, weather exposure, care, etc...may fade, whereas the covered area will still look new where the decal was.

This is what I would expect, that the decal would protect the paint like a wrap.

Simple fix to a hood that has faded on both sides of the decal... just put another decal on!

 

[Harblar]

I love the graphics and wish I could put them on my truck....but....it's black :-(

Get a Matte black hood wrap! Looks awesome on tux black!!!

 

[6cuda6]

The more I see it the more I'm looking to do it....