Installed bedside graphics this weekend.

[BobboZR2]

When I bought my truck, it was straight off the dealer lot. It basically had every option I would have ordered if I had it built to order except for a bed liner, a bed extender, and bedside graphics. I installed a Bedrug and the factory bed extender a couple of years back but could not find any bedside graphics that didn't break the bank ($1000+ for a decal was just out of the question). I found some bedside graphics on eBay that were as close to the 2012+ OEM graphics as I could find and only for $160. I got them as a Christmas present and finally had the opportunity to install them this weekend as the cold weather broke and we had a couple nice 55+ degree days.

I went with a wet install due to the sheer size of the graphics. The decals weren't entirely spot on but I fudged it as best as I could (another reason why I opted to install them wet so I could move them around) to make it look proportionate. I also had multiple bubbles despite my best efforts but did the best I could with a needle, a razor blade, and a hair dryer to get them as small as possible.

The result:


All in all I'm pretty satisfied with the result. I did almost give up when I encountered all the bubbles and was at the point of actually peeling them off. I'm glad I worked the bubbles out because it looks awesome. And since it cost me nothing (since it was a Christmas gift), I'm satisfied. It's not factory, but it'll do.

If I had to recommend one thing, it would be to cut up the decal into smaller parts so it would be easier to work with.

 

[jackrook]

Looks bad ass!!!! I have a black screw and love the black on black "ghost" look. GREAT JOB ON THE SELF INSTALL!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[AngryBird]

That looks awesome! If you had any imperfections on the install, I can't see them. I'm thinking about re-doing my graphics. Do you have a link to that ebay page?

 

[NickPic83]

small bubbles should work themselves out. park it in the sun and it should help. I had a few in my hood vinyl when done and they worked themselves out

 

[SonnyAK]

Looks great!

 

[AngryBird]

Are huge vinyls like that hard to install? I can't seem to get bumper stickers straight and w/o bubbles so i don't know...

 

[BobboZR2]

Looks bad ass!!!! I have a black screw and love the black on black "ghost" look. GREAT JOB ON THE SELF INSTALL!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Thanks man! I too think the ghosted look is bad ass on our black Raptor.

---------- Post added at 09:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 PM ----------

That looks awesome! If you had any imperfections on the install, I can't see them. I'm thinking about re-doing my graphics. Do you have a link to that ebay page?

While I normally would recommend something/someone if it/they were worth it, just let me say this. My dad had ordered from this seller before Christmas. After some difficulty where the seller wanted to make the transaction happen independent of eBay (via Paypal only), my dad finally got the order through, only to receive the wrong graphics when they finally arrived (He had sent the digital dirt version instead). The seller originally would not honor the deal until my dad threatened to contact eBay (hence why my father wanted to purchase through eBay to begin with). Moments later, he had a tracking number for the correct part. What should have been a week or two took almost 2 months.

This is the seller who he purchased the graphics from. Proceed with caution. I would be reluctant to deal with him since he seemed a bit shady during their whole transaction. I contacted him last night since I was about to purchase another set and he kept claiming that he had OEM graphics. Make it clear that they are NOT OEM in the least. The fit is not exact to OEM standards.

Good luck if you do use him. If I had to do it again, I would certainly try a local shop who could make them for me (which is what I may do for a plain matte hood decal).

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------

small bubbles should work themselves out. park it in the sun and it should help. I had a few in my hood vinyl when done and they worked themselves out

I've read mixed things about bubbles working themselves out. Some say they do and others say they don't. If they don't, I have it worked out to the point where I could live with it. It has a sort of "textured" look to it (hard to see from the pics).

 

[AngryBird]

Cool. Thanks for the warning. I'm still looking for a good shop around where I live because I'd like to have them make some as well.

 

[BobboZR2]

Looks great!

Thanks man!

---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 PM ----------

Are huge vinyls like that hard to install? I can't seem to get bumper stickers straight and w/o bubbles so i don't know...

This was my first time installing such a large decal. I've gotten pretty proficient at smaller decals and such (iPhone screen protectors, etc) using the wet method. I learned a lot from doing the driver's side that I applied to the passenger side which did come out much better bubble-wise.

 

[BearLeeAsian]

Looks great!!! Amazing alternative to a $1000 factory sticker lol