GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Malibu 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Exterior Trim 🢒 Decal or Stripe Replacement

Important: Stripes and decals adhere to a painted surface using pressure sensitive adhesive. The use of a wetting solution aids the technician in lifting and positioning the stripe or decal during installation. A wetting solution also ensures a better bond between stripe or decal and panel. Stripe or decal replacement involving collision damage, or damage to underlying painted surface, requires that metal repair and/or refinish operations be completed before the stripe or decal is installed. Freshly painted surfaces must be allowed to dry thoroughly before installing stripe or decal. Residual solvents in fresh painted surfaces can lead to subsequent blistering problems if stripe or decal is applied before complete release of solvents. The striping material highlights vehicle surface imperfection. All dings, rough metal, paint defects and uneven two-tone paint breaklines must be eliminated before stripe/decal application can take place.

   • Maintain body surfaces and decals between 21-38°C (70-100°F) during installation.
   • Never apply decals when the body surface and decal temperatures are below 21°C (70°F).
   • You may apply stripes and decals dry. If this does not result in a consistent bubble free application, use the wet method, as in the case of large graphics packages.
   • Use the wet method when you apply stripes or decals on flexible surfaces (such as fascias). This will reduce the formation of bubbles under the decal due to the outgassing potential of the flexible materials.

Equipment and Materials

The following equipment and materials are necessary when making a quality stripe or decal installation:

   • J 25070 Heat Gun
   • Wetting solution - a foaming type window cleaner, that does not contain ammonia
   • Isopropyl alcohol
   • Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) naphtha
   • Squeegee - 100 mm (4 in) wide, plastic or hard rubber
        Deburr any sharp or rough edges on the squeegee to prevent scratching of the stripe or decal.
   • Water bucket and sponge or spray bottle
   • Sandpaper - 800 grit or finer, wet or dry type
   • Clean, lint-free wiping cloth
   • Sharp knife or razor blade
   • Scissors
   • Fine pin or needle
   • Marking pencil

Removal Procedure
  1. Remove the necessary molding or trim panel.
  2. Remove the molding attaching clips, handles, sidemarker reflector, and/or other stripe or decal overlapping parts.
  3. Wash and clean repair surfaces, adjacent panel, and openings as required.

    4. Notice: To avoid damaging the paint finish, do not use pointed or sharp instruments to remove the stripe or the decal.

  4. Remove the stripe or decal from body panel using 3M™ Scotch Brite Molding Adhesive Remover, disk 3M™ P/N 07502 or equivalent.

    5. Notice: Use of harsh chemicals when cleaning can damage exterior lamps. Suggested cleaners are a mild soap and water, or Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) Naptha. VM&P Naptha is a specific type of naptha and should not be substituted by any other naptha.

  5. Remove all traces of adhesive residue from painted surfaces with a Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) naphtha.

Installation Procedure

    Notice: To prevent possible vehicle, stripe or decal damage, always refer to manufacturer's packaged instructions.

    Notice: Striping material highlights vehicle surface imperfection. All dings, rough metal, paint defects and uneven two-tone paint breaklines must be eliminated before stripe/decal application. Freshly painted surfaces must be allowed to dry thoroughly before installing stripe or decal. Residual solvents in fresh painted surfaces can lead to subsequent blistering problems if stripe or decal is applied before complete release of solvents.

  1. Prepare the surface. If the area of application has been refinished, remove any imperfections that would show through the stripe or decal.

    2. Notice: Use of harsh chemicals when cleaning can damage exterior lamps. Suggested cleaners are a mild soap and water, or Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) Naptha. VM&P Naptha is a specific type of naptha and should not be substituted by any other naptha.

  2. Clean the painted surface with Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) naphtha.
  3. Clean the area where you will apply the stripe or decal with a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water.
  4. Wipe the panel surface with a clean cloth while the solvent is still wet and allow the solvent to dry.
  5. Apply the wetting solution to the area where you will install the stripe or decal.

    6. Object Number: 303082 Size: SH
  6. Remove the backing material of the stripe or the decal as necessary.

    7. Do not touch the adhesive backing of the stripes or the decal.

  7. Put the wetting solution on the adhesive side of the stripe or the decal.

    8. The wetting solution will allow movement of the stripe or the decal for proper positioning.

  8. Apply the stripe or the decal to the panel.
  9. Working from the center where possible, squeegee the stripe or the decal into position.

    10. You may need to apply additional wetting solution in order to ease the installation of the stripe or the decal. A soapy wetting solution on the top side of the stripe or the decal will ease the pull of the squeegee and will help to eliminate damage.

  10. Apply heat to the stripe or decal at the recessed areas.

    11. Press the stripe or the decal into the recess in order to obtain a firm bond.

  11. Inspect the stripe or the decal from a critical angle using adequate light reflection in order to detect any irregularities that may have developed during installation.
  12. Remove all air bubbles by piercing with a safety pin, a needle, or a tool with same size piercing tip.
    13. • Pierce the bubble on its outer edge and force air out from the opposite edge with the blade of the squeegee.
    • Never use a razor blade or a knife edge.
  13. Install all previously removed parts.
  14. Clean the panel as require.