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Topic: HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit (Read 6438 times) previous topic - next topic

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Here is the "How-To" a LOT of you guys have been asking about. This is my center console/door lock decal that I make and sell here through ABM. This is my optional "brushed aluminum" set installed onto a 1988 Turbo Coupe (Yes, it's Layla). The same instructions apply for all of the decals I make (83/84, 85/86, 87/88). I also custom make them to order so I can do no power seat, no power anything, blue, carbon fiber, whatever you want. OK, so here we go:


This is the center console plate from Layla and the door locks. I already removed them from the car and brought them inside to warm up. These things work a LOT better in a warm room then in the cold.

First sand them down with 400 grit, the more work you do here, the nicer the decals will look, and the better they will stick. You don't have to take the whole thing down to bare metal, but get the contours around the mirror switch down.

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #1 –
Next, scribe the edges with the backside of a #11 X-Acto knife (it's my favorite tool, get used to seeing it :hick: ). Get all the gunk, dust, and sanding debris out.

Make sure you clean it well. Again, the cleaner the better, and the more time spent on prep, the better the finished product. I use Woolite mixed with water (10-12 parts water to 1 part Woolite) for all interior cleaning.

Seperate the decal from the backing. Note that it has a protective top layer on. Not all of the decals I make will have this (custom orders, first runs, etc) it's simply there to "shield" the decals during shipment. You may certainly try to get it off first, but that's a royal pain on the center piece (easy on the door locks).

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #2 –
More....................
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #3 –
Here's why I like the protective cover. On the center's it's a lot easier to look through the back to line up all of the little holes perfect. Go by the power seat holes (if you have them) and everything else falls in place. The power seat round holes are cut exact, all of the other holes are a little small to account for production variances and to give you a chance to trim them.

From the top, smooth all the air bubles out nicely. Get the decal nice and set. Use your fingernail to push the ends down. Again, it's made on the large side to allow for some tpuppies.

Starting at one corner, CAREFULLY pull the cover off with steady, even pressure. Once your about 1/2 done it's easier to "square it off" and pull the last 2 corners even. Just take your time. DOn't start on the mirror corner, that's the only spot that likes to "pull up".

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #4 –
Yes,yes,more.....................You have my attention....................
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #5 –
Grab that #11 X-Acto again :D and use it to trim the pushed in edges. Also trim any of the holes if desired. The only place I like to trim is for the power mirror. On the "top" where it bends down to meet the switch, I trim along the square hole towards the shifter about 1/4" or so. Then lay the decal into the recess. The mirror switch will pull the rest down. More tpuppies may or may not be required. The mirror switch area is the hardest thing involved so be patient.

OK, time for the door locks. You should have already sanded/cleaned/scribed them like the center.

On the door locks, it's a lot easier to remove the protective layer. Use the door locks to line it up. The "top" portion has more meat then the lower, so watch your lower to make sure you have enough material on both sides. Done correctly you should have 1/4" at the abottom, 1/8" in the middle extra on each side like shown. Don't forget the fingernail trick!

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #6 –
Trim the door locks with the same X-Acto and technique as for the center.

Take the protective layer (with lock buttons still attatched) and drop into place. Rub them down well, then pull the top layer off. They stay put really nicely.

Ta-Da! About 1 hour or so later. It took me 2 because I was snapping pics and taking my sweet old time.

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #7 –
Not done yet! :beatyoass: You still have to put everything back in the car and drink a beer/soda in celebration of yet another automotive accomplishment!

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #8 –
How hard is it to get the air bubbles out/Your center panel has some.I'll wait until you're finished with the "How To".Soory,getting anxious.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #9 –
And 1 more pic because I can. Here is what I regularly make:

#834SDMSN- 83/84 Standard, dual manual seats, no sensor, $39.99
#834SSPSN- 83/84 Standard, single power seat, no sensor, $39.99
#834SDPSN- 83/84 Standard, dual power seats, no sensor, $39.99
#834SDMSS- 83/84 Standard, dual manual seats, sensor, $39.99
#834SSPSS- 83/84 Standard, single power seat, sensor, $39.99
#834SDPSS- 83/84 Standard, dual power seats, sensor, $39.99
#856SDMS- 85/86 Standard, dual manual seats, $39.99
#856SSPS- 85/86 Standard, single power seat, $39.99
#856SDPS- 85/86 Standard, dual power seats, $39.99
#856ADMS- 85/86 Aluminum, dual manual seats, $44.99
#856ASPS- 85/86 Aluminum, single power seat, $44.99
#856ADPS- 85/86 Aluminum, dual power seat, $44.99
#878SDMS- 87/88 Standard, dual manual seats, $39.99
#878SSPS- 87/88 Standard, single power seat, $39.99
#878SDPS- 87/88 Standard, dual power seats, $39.99
#878ADMS- 87/88 Aluminum, dual manual seats, $44.99
#878ASPS- 87/88 Aluminum, single power seat, $44.99
#878ADPS- 87/88 Aluminum, dual power seat, $44.99

And of course, anything custom:

Custom Set, 83-88, custom substrate, any seat combo, $49.99

Unless it's some uber-expensive 24K gold substrate. ENJOY!

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #10 –
Are you sure Vinnie? Take a look at that last pic. ;)

The airbubbles are easy to get out. Prep is everything just like with any vinyl. The mirror switch are is by far the hardest to deal with due to the contours. Just take your time, be patient, and have fun.

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #11 –
When i saw the bubbles,it was in the installing it pic,not the last ones.My computer didn't down load the last pics before i replied.I look forward to doing this myself.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #12 –
It takes a few minutes to work them out but they do come out quite easily.

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #13 –
Thanks a lot ol'boy.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

HOW TO: Install Aerobird Motorsports center console decal kit

Reply #14 –
Unrelated,shipping out your package tomorrow.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..