It looks like I might finally be able to upgrade from my biodegrading Toyota pickup to a newer escort vehicle ( 97 4 dr Camry!) and I'm looking for some suggestions for making it look a wee bit more professional. It is gold/tan metallic, and I will be doing some paint work on it ( replacing most of one side due to minor accident damage..) The look I am trying to acheive is a well designed, tasteful, state trooper style vehicle.
I have found the more professional the vehicle looks the easier it is to do my job as the general public seems to respect a more official looking vehicle. When I added the white doors and "Pilot car" to the front of my pickup, all of a sudden people started to pay attention.
The major problem is that NY in their infinite wisdom has specified the color and design of the certified escort badge that goes on the doors. A lovely shade of traffic safety yellow, with a navy blue border. On my dark blue pickup, that has white doors, it fit in nicely. On a beige metallic, I think it is ugly..
So.. Should I paint the doors white again? Or...what? Maybe brown?
I am thinking a nice chocolate brown for the lettering ( DOT required name/location.phone)and possibly a gold leaf with a brown border on the front and rear "PILOT CAR" signs on the hood and trunk. The side lettering must be readable by scale personnel as I go thru the port of entry at 10 MPH. I used 2 inch leters on the other one and it was fine.
The other problem is getting the teenager applied dark window tint off. Any helpful hints there would be appreciated..
Many thanks!
Posted by Pete Sharkins (Member # 4525) on :
Careful use of a NEW razor scraper (to start) and peeling as much as possible by hand to get the film off. Follow up with rewetting the remaining glue with water or glass cleaner, and the scraper. A solvent shouldn't (key word there) be necessary unless it's a real mess.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
I was just wondering the same thing! I just replaced my vehicle with an old Eagle Talon, in which I don't like the graphics on the back window. I can't see my blind spot anyway. Maybe I was just putting it off and thinking heat gun too. Thanks for the info on the film! Good luck with your new look, sounds fun.
Posted by Joe Endicott (Member # 628) on :
Seems like we used alcohol when we cleaned the residue left over after scraping the tint off of windows a few years back. Worked great.
Posted by Jay Nichols (Member # 2842) on :
Products sold for window film adhesive removal are ammonia based. You can mix your own if you have some under the kitchen sink. Citric based adhesive removal products work well also. After you peel the film, apply the juice and let it sit for bit to soften things up. Lil chislers are good for scraping. You are asking for trouble if you use a razor blade near the defrost strips. Chemical fumes will build up quick inside a car, especially if you are doin it in the summer heat-- leave all the doors open and place a fan nearby.
Posted by Dale Horn (Member # 4037) on :
follow the instructions - happy detinting
Posted by Bill Foshay (Member # 4526) on :
I go the car home yesterday in the hot sun, and found the edges of the tint in the back window were curling.. So I did what any good sign guy would do.. I started peeling slowly. It all came off with no residue buildup or damage to the defrost lines. Sometimes ya get lucky!
Thanks for all the suggestions.. Wil probably use them when it comes time to do the door windows..
